The Nursery at South Leicestershire College

Yoga, conversations about feelings and children leading group activities gave this Wigston nursery a clear emphasis on emotional confidence in May 2023. At its 24 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective.

The Nursery at South Leicestershire College occupies the Bobbin Factory on Canal Street, Wigston, LE18 4PL, and has capacity for 30 children aged 24 to 60 months. It operates during term time, making the nursery calendar an important part of the decision for working families.

In May 2023, learning mixed imaginative play with practical exploration: children acted out repairs and shopping, compared quantities while handling pasta, and remembered an experiment involving an erupting volcano. These examples connected language and scientific ideas to things children could do and discuss.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2023 examples included learning through play, conversation and practical tasks. In the garden, jugs, tubes and guttering let children explore moving water while practising coordination. There was a teaching weakness, too: adults sometimes missed chances to help children work out their own solutions when water spilled or equipment was beyond reach.

Books also had a social purpose in May 2023. Stories prompted discussions about friendship and feelings; younger children listened outdoors, while older children shared books on a settee. Planned community visits included the canal, a park and the train station, extending learning beyond the nursery's rooms.

In May 2023, staff used mindfulness and yoga alongside reassurance and discussions about kindness. Older children had opportunities to take charge of group activities, giving them practice in speaking while others listened.

Communication support in May 2023 included recognising children who needed help with speech and language and referring them promptly to external professionals. Families were invited to share food from different countries and bring pets into nursery, making their experiences part of children's learning.

Preparation for school was practical in May 2023: children practised putting on shoes, managing the toilet and pouring drinks, while teachers from a nearby school visited to meet them. The emphasis was on everyday independence and familiarity with the next stage.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 5.15pm from Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4pm on Friday, during term time. The earlier Friday finish matters for collection arrangements, especially where a parent's working day ends later.

Funding and Paid Extras

In May 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Families should obtain current prices in the nursery's written quotation.

• Children's own solutions. In May 2023, the improvement priority was giving children more chances to tackle problems and develop ideas during unplanned play. On a visit, ask how staff now support this when an activity becomes difficult.
• Term-time calendar and Friday collection. Care operates during term time, with Friday closing at 4pm. Families whose work continues through holidays or later on Fridays need to weigh that timetable carefully.
• The complete booking cost. Ask which attendance patterns and funded arrangements apply to your child, including who supplies or pays for meals and consumables, so the written quotation covers the intended booking.

For families seeking term-time care in Wigston, this nursery merits consideration for the combination of practical learning and emotional confidence documented in May 2023. Its Good judgement gives a dated quality reference; the missed opportunities for independent problem-solving give a useful, specific topic for a visit. The calendar and Friday finish are the decisive practical considerations.