Rolleston Primary School Nursery

A magnifying glass in the soil and frogs in a water tray give a useful flavour of Rolleston’s early years: discovery and number work sit alongside deliberate attention to language. The nursery is the school’s Foundation Stage 1 (F1) provision for three and four year olds, on Hillsborough Road in Leicester. Its morning runs from 9am to midday.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to be Strong standard in April 2026. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection. Children felt secure with adults who understood them, and their learning progressed steadily.

Play has a clear learning purpose here. In April 2026, early years children explored spiders with a magnifying glass and practised counting using frogs in the water tray. These are concrete ways to connect curiosity with observation and numbers. The early years learning space had plentiful resources, used with clear educational intent.

The early years foundation stage combines frequent teaching of the beginnings of literacy and number with chances to practise during play. Learning follows a planned sequence, and adults check children’s understanding as they go. For parents, the useful distinction is that exploration and teaching work together: a playful activity can also consolidate something a child has just learned.

Conversation receives close attention. Adults demonstrate language, help children explain their thinking and develop their ideas further. This supports children who are less inclined to join in, as well as those who find communication harder. Established routines also help children do more for themselves. Independence is part of the learning day.

Relationships provide reassurance. In April 2026, early years children understood that adults cared about them, felt safe and behaved well. Children joining early years adapted quickly to its routines. Staff also recognised obstacles to children’s wellbeing and learning promptly, then coordinated the help they needed.

For a child with special educational needs identified before starting, the school gathers information from parents, previous educators and outside agencies to plan support. Parents with concerns can speak to the class teacher, who involves the SEN coordinator. This gives families a clear starting point for discussing their child’s needs.

Across the school, teachers receive training updates, while teaching assistants train to support needs involving health, movement, behaviour and learning. Training changes with pupils’ needs. Class Dojo carries regular class updates, giving parents another way to follow what children are doing.

A separate application. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place and does not confer priority under the school’s oversubscription criteria. Families must apply again through Leicester City Council’s normal online admissions process and meet the deadline supplied with the application information.

During the autumn term, nursery families receive instructions for applying for a full time school place. The nursery application is handled by the school’s governing body; Reception admissions are handled by Leicester City Council. Treat those as two distinct decisions when planning your child’s next step.

Morning hours. Nursery runs from 9am until 12 midday, so families need to plan around a lunchtime finish. The funded entitlement described for three and four year olds is 15 hours each week over 38 weeks, continuing until compulsory school age, the term after their fifth birthday.

To register interest, complete an application form at the school office. Registration is encouraged after a child’s second birthday. The school keeps an interest list for nursery applicants.