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Nursery at Sparkenhoe Community Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Forest School, festival activities and stories give Sparkenhoe’s nursery a character built around exploration and talk. Foundation 1 is the school’s provision for children aged 3 and 4 in Leicester. It has 52 part-time places, divided between 26 morning and 26 afternoon places, alongside some full-time provision. Families can choose a shorter session or seek a longer day, subject to availability.
At the inspection on 7 and 8 February 2023, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good. This judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. Children were enjoying activities and keen to involve adults; the curriculum identified learning at each stage, although it was still developing.
Play sits alongside activities directed by adults and choices made by children. Planning follows the Early Years Framework and Development Matters guidance. In parent terms, learning connects movement, conversation and relationships with early reading, number, creativity and discovering how the world works. The learning areas connect with one another.
Half-termly themes can change to reflect children’s interests and needs. Visitors, trips and themed WOW days add experiences to explore and discuss. Both outdoor and indoor learning spaces support play and investigation. Forest School brings practical learning into a natural setting, including using tools and finding out how to care for the environment. It gives children another context for trying ideas and solving problems.
Early literacy includes ALS phonics: Letters and Sounds. Foundation Stage children have phonics each day, with themed stories and recurring core texts. In Foundation 1, maths combines focused teaching with learning through the activities available during play; its approach is similar to Maths No Problem Foundations. Children therefore encounter early number through both planned sessions and opportunities to apply it.
Festival learning brings cooking, crafts, singing, dance and role play together. Nursery children typically devote a session to a festival, exploring traditions and who celebrates. Diwali, Christmas and Vaisakhi are among the festivals covered, giving children practical ways to learn about differences between families.
Settling begins before the first nursery session: families receive information and invitations to stay and play. This gives parent and child a chance to become familiar with the provision together. Once children have started, photographs and videos shared through Tapestry Online Learning Journal help parents follow their learning.
For children whose development raises concerns, the Early Monitoring Process combines staff observations, assessments and parents’ knowledge. Teaching is adapted, with a subsequent review involving parents and the SENDCo to consider whether SEND registration is appropriate. This creates a route from an initial concern to agreed support. Early years children with an EHC plan have statutory reviews every 6 months.
Lunch is a practical part of choosing a longer day. Children taking a full-time 30-hour place need either a packed lunch or a school meal ordered and paid for by their family.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the school’s Reception oversubscription criteria. Submit a separate Reception application using the Common Application Form to your home local authority by 15th January. For Leicester residents, the route is Leicester City Council’s admissions service. Treat this as a separate decision and deadline.
Support for children with SEND moving between classes can include extra meetings with the new teacher, classroom visits and photographs made into a transition booklet or social story. These arrangements are tailored to individual needs. They support familiarity with the next stage; they do not change admission entitlement.
The 15-hour entitlement is organised as five morning sessions or five afternoon sessions each week. A preference for mornings or afternoons can be requested, but is not guaranteed. Some 30-hour places are offered to eligible working parents or families paying for the additional 15 hours. Eligibility for the extra funded hours requires an online application and a code checked by the school. Ask the school for current charges.
For nursery enquiries and an application form, email office@sparkenhoe.leicester.sch.uk. School visits can be arranged, with a senior member of staff providing a tour and answering questions.
Foundation 1 provides for children aged 3 and 4.
Yes. The 15-hour pattern is five mornings or five afternoons each week, although your preferred session is not guaranteed.
Some 30-hour places are offered to eligible working parents or families who pay for the additional 15 hours. The school checks the eligibility code for extra funded hours.
Families provide a packed lunch or order and pay for a school meal.
No. Nursery attendance gives neither a guarantee nor Reception priority. Apply separately to your home local authority using the Common Application Form by 15th January.
