Kingsleigh Primary School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and shared stories shape Kingsleigh’s pre-school, with a qualified teacher leading the early years team. Children explore their interests while adults support language, relationships and growing independence. This is nursery provision within Kingsleigh Primary School in Bournemouth, with access to facilities in the main school.

The usual funded offer begins in the term after the third birthday. Subject to availability, children who have turned three can apply to the Preschool Lead for an earlier 15-hour funded place. For 2026–2027, the admission number is 35 children per session. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 11 and 12 February 2025; that judgement covers early years within the school.

Children learn through play and conversations with adults. Topics and shared books help shape the learning environment, alongside children’s own interests. All learning areas receive attention each day, while topics give particular interests more room to develop. The emphasis is on exploring together, with adults modelling language and helping children practise social skills and independence.

Rhymes, stories and songs were features of nursery learning in February 2025. These give children ways to join in with language before formal reading instruction. Families receive topic letters explaining the learning and suggesting ways to continue it at home, connecting shared stories and interests across the nursery and home.

Access to the main school adds facilities beyond the pre-school itself: Kingsleigh has an ICT suite, a large sports hall and areas for several kinds of games. There is a teaching caveat, however. In February 2025, approaches across the wider curriculum were inconsistent, and the improvement required included early years. Families should weigh that concern alongside the Good early years judgement.

Once a place is accepted, families receive a date for a settling session and a start date. The team supports emotional development through its interactions and relationships with children.

For children staying throughout the day or attending the afternoon session, a school meal can be ordered using the Arbor Parent App. Meals carry a separate charge. Since January 2026, food has been prepared in the school’s catering kitchen with Educatering, so lunch comes from an on-site service.

The SEND team supports both pre-school and school, working with families, staff and professionals from outside the setting. Reasonable adjustments are planned through discussion of each child’s needs. Parents can raise concerns with the class teacher first, or contact SEND@kingsleighprimary.co.uk.

Personal care. Children without medical or SEND needs are expected to be toilet trained or progressing towards it; pull-ups are accepted when children are developing the ability to manage them independently. For a child with medical or SEND needs who still uses nappies or pull-ups, attendance may be restricted to mornings or afternoons, and after-school club access may also be restricted. Decisions are individual. Personal care arrangements are agreed with parents, who supply changing essentials including nappies and wipes.

A nursery place does not guarantee Reception. Families must make a separate application through the local authority admission process. For September 2027 entry, the closing date is 15 January 2027.

Priority is conditional. For 2027–2028, the third oversubscription category covers children attending Kingsleigh pre-school who qualify for Early Years Pupil Premium. Attendance alone does not meet that category. Families should therefore treat their Reception application as a separate decision, even when their child already knows the school.

Some initial part-time attendance is arranged when children begin Reception, helping them adjust to the change from pre-school or home. That transition support is separate from allocating places.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, and full days from 9am to 3pm. Families can combine days and sessions, subject to space. The usual funded offer is 15 hours minimum or 30 hours, beginning in the term after the third birthday; eligibility applies to the 30-hour entitlement. Subject to availability, children who have turned three can apply to the Preschool Lead for an earlier 15-hour funded place. Funded attendance has no additional time charge, while sessions beyond the entitlement are charged separately. Contact the school for current charges.

Session requests use a form collected from the main office. Families hear whether their request has succeeded during the half term before the intended start. For a visit or an enquiry, email pre-school@kingsleighprimary.co.uk.

Pre-school uniform includes a red polo, grey leggings or jogging bottoms, and a Kingsleigh logo cardigan or sweatshirt. Velcro footwear helps children manage shoes themselves. Winter clothing includes wellies, gloves and a hat; a sunhat is required for summer.