Nursery at Ladysmith Infant & Nursery School

Stories, rhymes and children’s own ideas shape nursery learning at Ladysmith. This is the school’s provision for three and four year olds on Ladysmith Road in Exeter, with a maximum of 52 children admitted at any one time. Children can join from the funding period after their third birthday, generally starting at the beginning of a term.

The nursery describes its curriculum as child led and aims to develop independence and confidence. For parents, the defining combination is learning through play within an infant school, with a choice between mornings and a longer day that includes lunch.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Here, its emphasis is on exploring through play, staying involved in activities and thinking through ideas. The nursery aims to give children opportunities to initiate their own activities, making their interests part of the learning rather than treating play simply as a break.

Books and conversation give the day a concrete rhythm. Children hear several stories during the day, take part in games and rhymes, and develop vocabulary through talking. Teaching sounds begins when a child is ready. That readiness condition matters: early reading starts with language and participation, rather than a fixed starting point for every child.

For children staying all day, the lunch period runs from noon to 1pm and remains part of their learning time. The school also has a sensory room, with access scheduled according to children’s needs. This is a school resource, alongside the federation’s work to make learning spaces indoors and outdoors accessible.

Settling begins before the first nursery session. Stay and play opportunities let children spend time with staff while parents share interests, ask questions and meet other families. A separate Meet and Greet allows a more detailed discussion of the child’s needs. Attendance at this meeting is required before a child starts nursery, so families should allow time for it.

Speech and language support includes a specialist teaching assistant working mainly within the Infant and Nursery School, alongside the SEND coordinator and NHS Speech and Language Therapy service. Parents receive guidance about supporting communication at home. For children receiving SEN Support, planning involves parents, with review meetings at least termly: support is intended to be discussed and revisited.

Lunch arrangements depend on eligibility. Children attending both sides of the lunch period qualify for a free school meal if their parents meet the eligibility criteria, whether their attendance is funded or bought. Otherwise, families can purchase a school meal or send a packed lunch.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no attendance-based priority for the 2026-27 intake. Families must make a separate application to their home local authority; Devon residents use Devon’s admissions route. For September 2026 entry, the normal application window ended on 15 January 2026. Apply again through the normal process for the relevant intake, by its deadline.

Transition support is separate from allocation. For children with SEND, summer-term meetings between nursery staff, teachers and SEND coordinators discuss individual needs and pass on records, including My Plans. That supports continuity of care; it does not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon; all-day sessions run from 9am to 3pm. Both operate in term time. The core funding offer covers the universal 570-hour entitlement and the extended 1140-hour entitlement for eligible families. When lunch falls within a funded session, that time cannot attract a separate charge.

Session choices. Requested hours cannot always be accommodated, and changes to attendance generally take effect at the start of a term. Families should choose a pattern they can sustain. Extra hours can be bought within opening times; contact the school for current charges.

For a longer day, the nursery partners with F.I.S.H., whose sessions run from 7.30am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm. Older children attend and the adults differ from the core nursery provision. Nursery children have no uniform requirement. Visits can be arranged by appointment, and applications require both the Nursery Application Form and Parent Declaration Form. Contact LIS.admin@stcmat.org or 01392 349141.