Eyres Monsell Primary School Nursery Review

A home corner, construction area and creative table give Eyres Monsell's Pre-School its character: play is the starting point, with friendship and practical skills developing alongside it. This is the nursery provision within Eyres Monsell Primary School in Leicester. Children are eligible from the September after their third birthday.

The emphasis is on exploring together. Children tackle problems and practise teamwork through play, so the nursery experience includes learning how to share an activity as well as discovering what materials can do.

The home corner supports imaginative play, while construction and creative activities give children different ways to explore ideas. The nursery describes play as a way to develop children's curiosity, confidence and social skills.

Early years learning connects creativity, communication and physical development. Adults demonstrate techniques and introduce vocabulary through discussion and play. In art, the emphasis includes expressing ideas and communicating creatively; design technology also draws on physical development and learning to care for oneself. For parents, that means practical activity has a learning purpose beyond making a finished object.

In February 2024, the early years environment was welcoming, with children encouraged to extend their vocabulary. Nursery children were beginning to identify letters. Independence also had a practical form: children cleaned their own crockery. Small everyday tasks therefore formed part of learning, alongside the first steps towards recognising written language.

SEND support sits within the school's wider provision, with a team led by the SENCo. Families can arrange a conversation or meeting with that team through the office. This provides a direct route for discussing additional needs rather than leaving concerns until a routine parent meeting.

Contact with families includes autumn and spring parents' evenings, term-end Look in on Learning events and newsletters each half term. Staff are also available on the playground at the beginning and end of the day to discuss information relevant to a child's care.

The school kitchen prepares food on site each day. Choices include vegetarian and halal food alongside meat and deli options. Medical dietary requirements can be accommodated when sufficient information is supplied by a medical consultant, GP or registered dietitian; families should contact the office about these requirements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

For the 2026 application cycle, the deadline was 15 January 2026. That date has passed. It belongs to that cycle and should not be treated as the deadline for a later intake.

Flexible sessions allow families to choose between 15 hours under Universal Funding and 30 hours under Extended Funding, depending on eligibility. That flexibility matters when matching nursery attendance to family routines.

Register interest through the school office, by calling 0116 277 3855, or through the Pre-School expression-of-interest form. Around Easter, in March or April, the school contacts families to check whether they still want a place and explain the next steps. The nursery is often oversubscribed; mid-year entry is considered when spaces allow.

Breakfast Club and Acorns After School Care are for children from Reception to Year 6. Families choosing nursery sessions should therefore plan around the nursery arrangement itself.