Land of Learning

Home languages and English shared the learning day at Land of Learning in September 2024: multilingual staff introduced vocabulary in both, while songs and accessible books gave children further ways to join in. This is a useful combination for families whose children are developing English alongside another language.

At its 27 September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. Land of Learning has capacity for 60 children, at 5-11 Evington Drive, Leicester LE5 5PF.

In September 2024, learning included number, shape and size activities, with mathematical vocabulary woven into play. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the inspection-time examples included conversation, books, physical play and practical activities.

Outdoors, children rode tricycles and joined ball and parachute games, combining movement with cooperation. Indoors, play dough and tweezers gave their hands practice in movements needed for writing. Books were within children's reach, and expressive reading by staff helped draw them into stories.

Children also explored different cultures and religions. These experiences connected learning with the community around them rather than keeping it confined to individual activities.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that planned settling helped children build relationships with their key person, and that children with SEND benefited from staff working with speech and language therapists and local authority specialists. Staff continued the strategies those professionals introduced, giving support continuity within the nursery day.

In September 2024, parents' meetings included activities for adults and children to do together. This gave families practical examples of learning they could continue at home. Staff also communicated children's achievements and their next learning steps.

Children followed familiar routines and practised sharing, taking turns and considerate behaviour. Those everyday habits mattered alongside the planned learning activities.

In September 2024, the nursery operated Monday to Friday during term time, with session times of 8.30am to 11.30am and 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Children attending at that point were aged three to four; this describes the inspection-time group.

Funded early education for three- and four-year-old children formed part of the offer in September 2024. For families comparing attendance arrangements, that dated term-time pattern is the relevant starting point.

• Group learning. In September 2024, some children lost interest when carpet sessions lasted too long. The improvement priority was better planning around individual needs and engagement.
• Time to answer. In September 2024, adults sometimes moved to another question or supplied suggestions too quickly. Children needed more space to think and express their own ideas.
• Attendance fit. The September 2024 pattern comprised two term-time session windows. At a visit, how do today's booking options fit your child's routine and your working week?

The September 2024 picture will interest families who value support for home languages alongside English and learning through books, conversation and practical play. The September 2024 attendance model suited morning or afternoon term-time sessions. Its Good judgement sits alongside two clear teaching priorities: keeping group learning engaging and allowing children enough time to answer.