Cosby Primary School Nursery Review

Skylarks gives Cosby Primary School’s pre-school its own identity within the school. The provision shares the Portland Street site with the primary classes, placing nursery life within a wider school setting rather than on a separate campus. Its character is best understood through purposeful activities, familiar routines and learning outdoors.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 October 2022. That judgement covers the early years foundation stage within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. For parents, the useful detail is how children learned and how adults supported them.

Purpose gives the early years activities their direction. In October 2022, adults organised learning carefully and helped children understand what they were working towards. Challenge tasks focused attention on knowledge children needed to retain, making activities more than something to keep small hands occupied. Children tackled objectives both on their own and alongside others. There was room to practise independence as well as cooperation.

The early years foundation stage, or EYFS, gives this learning its framework. In 2023–24, the pre-school described children learning through play and direct experience, with activities accommodating individual ways of learning. Its aims included helping children think independently and solve problems, working in partnership with parents and carers. For families, that gives play a clear purpose: developing how children think and approach challenges.

Outdoor learning carried real weight in October 2022. The outside area supported purposeful activities, with learning beyond the classroom given comparable attention to learning inside. It extended the learning environment rather than serving only as a place for a break. Together, the routines, guided tasks and opportunities to work with other children formed the clearest picture of the early years day.

Pre-school staffing includes co-lead roles and a pre-school assistant. Across the school, there is also a special educational needs coordinator, giving families a defined role for discussions about additional learning needs.

Communication with families was a strength of the early years experience in October 2022. Keeping parents informed received attention, and parental feedback highlighted helpful information and support. That connection matters when a young child is beginning to spend time in a school setting: parents need to understand the experience as well as the activities.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate online application to Leicestershire County Council’s Admissions Department, meeting the relevant closing date, usually mid-January each year. An offer from the family’s home local authority is required even when a child has attended pre-school linked to Cosby. Late applications have the lowest priority, so the application deadline needs its own place in the family calendar.

Transition arrangements are a separate matter. Before children begin school, staff aim to visit their pre-school setting, and children visit the school ahead of an introductory morning. Parents are also invited to meet school and early years leaders. These contacts help families become familiar with the next stage; they do not replace the Reception application.

For enquiries, contact the school office at office@cosby.school or on 0116 286 3103. School visits are arranged by prior appointment through the office. An appointment gives families a concrete opportunity to discuss choosing the pre-school and see the school setting before deciding.