Leasowes Extra

Language gives Leasowes Extra its character: stories, signing and conversation connect children's play with early reading and writing. At its April 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Outstanding, finding exceptional progress and inclusive learning experiences for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Based within the grounds of Leasowes Primary School in Stafford, the setting has 107 places in total. In April 2024, it combined nursery provision with care before and after school; children attending across the provision were aged 3 to 11.

In April 2024, learning centred on communication. A book of the week connected stories with play, while signing gave children another way to express and remember language. During story discussions, children recalled details and built on one another's contributions. Conversation had a purpose.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care, including learning through play. In April 2024, staff translated those expectations into individual learning programmes, using observations of play and speech to shape small-group teaching and additional support.

Early literacy combined identifying sounds, remembering letters, signing and writing. Mathematics also emerged through play: children connected animal images with textures and searched for objects matching three-dimensional shapes. These activities linked abstract ideas to things children could handle and recognise.

The woodland area added an outdoor dimension. In April 2024, children could explain the rules that helped them play safely there. Staff also taught children how to use learning resources and explained what activities were intended to help them learn, giving independent play direction.

In April 2024, emotional learning began with recognising and describing feelings, then extended to understanding other people's emotions. Staff responded to individual children's anxieties, and parents valued the sensitivity of that support. Exchanges between parents and each child's key person connected achievements at home with learning in the setting.

The SENCo monitored development and contacted local authority services when further professional help was needed. Leaders observed staff practice and routines over whole days, using those observations to assess training and plan changes. At the April 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective.

Links with the onsite school supported familiarity with the wider school community. In April 2024, joint events included reading with older children and sharing learning, giving transition work a concrete social element.

The address is Leasowes Primary School, Porlock Avenue, Stafford, ST17 0HT.

In April 2024, nursery opening hours were 8.45am to 3.15pm. Before-school wraparound care ran from 7.45am to 8.45am, with after-school care from 3.15pm to 6pm. These were separate parts of the day's provision.

At that time, the provider received funding for free early years education for three- and four-year-old children. The school connection supports preparation for the next stage, but attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place.

• School transition. Reading with older children formed part of the April 2024 provision. Explore how that relationship would support your child's move into Reception, keeping the separate admissions process in mind.
• Attendance planning. The April 2024 offer combined nursery hours with before- and after-school care. At a visit, ask which current booking pattern would fit your family's week and what the written quotation includes.
• Communication support. Signing and individual learning programmes shaped teaching in April 2024. Discuss how staff would adapt these approaches to your child's communication needs.

Leasowes Extra suits families who value language-led learning and a close connection with school life. Its April 2024 provision served nursery-day attendance alongside before- and after-school care. The strongest reasons to consider it are concrete: signing linked to literacy, teaching shaped around individual children, and shared learning with older children.