St Barnabas CofE Primary School Nursery

Mornings define nursery life at St Barnabas: a part-time, term-time session within a Church of England primary school in Leicester. Nursery is Foundation Stage 1 (FS1), with the school’s age range beginning at three. It sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) team, giving this provision a clear place in the school’s teaching structure.

The school aims to help children become independent and confident, with its Christian character shaping that ambition. For families, the practical starting point is the morning pattern: this is a nursery session to fit into the rest of the day’s care arrangements.

Sessions start at 8:45am and finish at 11:45am, Monday to Friday in term time. That fixed timetable gives families a consistent morning commitment and a definite collection time.

EYFS means Early Years Foundation Stage, the part of the school that includes nursery. Reading has a concrete place in its learning: Foundation Stage children have phonics each day, using ALS Phonics. These sessions teach children how to read, while stories and books also provide starting points for learning.

Home reading connects parents with that work. Children can swap their reading books whenever they wish, and parents use a home school diary to record reading together. This gives families a specific way to take part beyond the nursery session.

Classrooms have a space for prayer or reflection, offering children somewhere to pause quietly. Each class also has Christian books, making the school’s religious character tangible in the learning environment.

In June 2023, the early-years curriculum was planned well, but some children’s learning remained insecure across its different areas. Activities were being adjusted to individual needs; that work was still at an initial stage. The concern was consequential: some children were insufficiently prepared for the next stage, and leaders were asked to review whether their support was closing those learning gaps.

The June 2023 inspection found a supportive, caring early-years atmosphere with established routines for children. Familiar routines give the session a predictable structure, although they sit alongside the learning concern described above.

For additional needs, parents can arrange a conversation with the special educational needs coordinator through the office. Across the school, systems identify obstacles to learning early, and the school aims to make learning accessible to children with different needs and backgrounds.

Early Help gives families another route to support with concerns about development, health or behaviour. Parents can approach the safeguarding team or ask the office to connect them. Safety or wellbeing concerns should be taken directly to the designated safeguarding lead or a deputy.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Leicester City Council’s school admissions process. Choosing nursery and applying for full-time school are distinct decisions, so parents should plan for that second application rather than assume the place carries forward.

Apply for nursery through the school office, which supplies the application form. The office also arranges school visits and can be reached on 0116 2767612.

Use the Kitchener Road gate for nursery, then take children to their classroom door for both drop-off and collection. This is the nursery’s specific handover arrangement.

School uniform combines a royal blue jumper or cardigan with a white shirt or polo and dark grey or black bottoms. Logos are optional on the blue knitwear and polo shirts. Label clothing so similar items can be identified; children joining EYFS receive a school logo book bag.