Dovelands Primary School Nursery

In January 2022, listening, language and learning school routines characterised Dovelands’ nursery. This is the school’s Foundation 1 provision, with the class name Owlets and its own lead within an early years team. It sits at Dovelands Primary School on Hinckley Road in Leicester. For families, the distinction matters: this is a nursery within a primary school, with access to the school’s inclusion and family support routes.

Language is a concrete focus. In January 2022, nursery adults developed children’s ability to listen and communicate as preparation for their next stage. Across the early years, children expanded their vocabulary through activities and had opportunities to practise new words. The emphasis gives parents something useful to look for in their child’s development: growing confidence in understanding and using language.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here includes learning through activities and becoming familiar with classroom routines. In January 2022, children participated confidently, and adults connected activities to learning. There was also a significant curriculum qualification: leaders needed to define more precisely the essential knowledge children should acquire in the early years, including the foundations for later subject learning. Curriculum planning. That finding makes the purpose behind a topic as important as the activities themselves when considering this nursery.

Settling was a strength in January 2022: nursery children became familiar with routines promptly, while relationships between children and adults were strong. Training helped adults support early years children. Those findings give a dated picture of how care and learning worked together, rather than a separate nursery grade.

For children needing additional help, Dovelands uses a school-wide cycle of assessing needs, planning support, putting it into practice and reviewing progress. Adaptations include visual timetables, extra time to process information and advance teaching of vocabulary. Pupil Profiles are developed with children and parents or carers and reviewed at least termly, giving families a defined role in discussing support. The school works with the Early Years Support Team among its partner services.

Family support has a separate route. The Pastoral Support Lead can help with parenting concerns, emotional wellbeing and access to Early Help. Contact is through pastoral@dovelands.leicester.sch.uk; SEND concerns can go to inclusion@dovelands.leicester.sch.uk. These are useful routes for discussing circumstances beyond classroom learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Leicester City Council manages admissions from Foundation 2 onwards, whereas nursery applications go to the school. Keep those two processes distinct when planning your child’s next step.

In January 2022, nursery adults developed listening and language skills to prepare children for that move. Educational preparation and allocation of a school place are separate matters.

For a Foundation 1 place, collect an application form from the school office. Enquiries go to office@dovelands.leicester.sch.uk or 0116 2857716, and a school tour can be arranged by contacting the school.

Parking. There is no parking on the school site. Families using a car need to allow for parking nearby, respect neighbouring properties and keep the yellow zigzag markings clear.