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Nursery at Fosse Mead Primary Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A morning of early learning, with identity, celebrations and stories as starting points: Fosse Mead’s nursery is the school’s Foundation One (F1) provision on Balfour Street in Leicester. Its September intake is for children aged three who will turn four during that school year. Where unfilled places remain, children may also join after their third birthday and spend five terms in nursery.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 2 and 3 July 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
The morning session starts at 8.40am and finishes at 11.40am. That gives families a clear collection point before midday, an important practical consideration when fitting nursery around work or other childcare.
Learning sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). F1 topics include Who am I, People who help us, What can I celebrate and What happened in the end. These give young children familiar starting points for learning about themselves, other people and stories, rather than presenting learning as a list of school subjects.
In July 2024, children chose activities with confidence and managed them independently. Adult involvement during free-choice play was less consistent: conversations did not always extend vocabulary sufficiently, limiting some children’s development in speaking and understanding language. For parents, the important question is how adults join children’s chosen activities and help them put ideas into words.
Starting nursery is phased. The September intake is spread across the first two to three weeks of term, allowing the move into the class to happen gradually. Staff may arrange a home visit in late summer term or at the start of autumn term, giving families an opportunity to discuss their child before the new routine begins.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), preparation involves the Early Years Support Team. Before nursery starts, the nursery teacher and SENDCo attend a review meeting. This creates a specific opportunity to discuss support needs before the child joins.
Across the school, parents can raise concerns with the class teacher or SENCo. Children on the SEND register receive three reviews each year, with parents contributing to their individual outcome plans. This provides recurring opportunities to discuss progress and adjust support, rather than relying on a single conversation at entry.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and confers no admissions priority. Families must make a separate online application through Leicester City Council. The closing date is announced annually, usually in mid-January for primary entry; parents need to follow the deadline for their child’s admission year.
Transition support is a separate matter. Nursery staff work with Reception colleagues at the child’s chosen or allocated school and pass on reports and agreed records. That information can help the receiving team prepare for the child, whichever school offers the place.
A funded place of 15 hours per week applies to children entering from September 1st in the academic year in which they turn four. An additional 15 funded hours may be available for children of working parents, but families must speak to the school about whether that option can be accommodated.
Nursery enquiries go directly to the school office on 0116 251 9261. Families accepting a place are expected to keep it for the remainder of the school year. Regular, punctual attendance is part of that commitment.
The school has entrances on Central Road and Balfour Street. The Foundation entrance is reserved for families with Foundation-age children to reduce crowding in the Foundation playground. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school.
The morning nursery class runs from 8.40am to 11.40am.
The September intake is for children who are three before September 1st and turn four during that school year. Where places remain unfilled, children may be admitted after their third birthday.
No. It gives neither a guarantee nor admissions priority. Parents must apply separately online through Leicester City Council, meeting the annually announced deadline, usually in mid-January.
September entry is staggered over the first two to three weeks of term. Staff may arrange a home visit in late summer term or early autumn term.
Children entering from September 1st in the academic year they turn four are eligible for 15 funded hours per week. An additional 15 hours may be available for children of working parents, subject to discussion with the school about whether it can accommodate this option.
