St Crispin's School Nursery Review

Stories beneath ancient oak trees and time in a mini allotment give this nursery a distinctive outdoor thread. Children can start from age two, within St Crispin's School in Leicester's Stoneygate district. The school occupies two Victorian houses facing Victoria Park; the nursery belongs to its early-years provision rather than operating as a separate setting.

Part-time attendance can grow into full-time education, subject to space. That choice matters here: full-time children have additional activities with specialist school teachers, including sport and music, alongside their nursery learning.

A structured timetable combines play with early reading, writing and number work. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides planning and observations: learning is tracked across seven areas, with each child's achievements gathered into an individual Learning Journey. Adults lead some activities, while children also choose and explore for themselves. In September to October 2025, ISI found effective early-years teaching, with conversation and phonics helping children develop language.

Number activities through play come in the morning, followed by seasonal exploration and a snack break. The outdoor classroom then provides space for stories or growing activities. After lunch, the emphasis shifts to literacy and creative work, with outdoor play later. This is an outline rather than an identical schedule each day. Topics have included recycling, dinosaurs and space, and parents can suggest interests to incorporate into sessions.

Full-time attendance adds singing, dance and music, plus a weekly visit to the ICT suite. Tennis, football and basketball feature in structured PE, taught with support from specialist teachers. Visiting contributors include Blue Cross, the Book Bus and the Fire Service. These give children activities beyond the usual nursery timetable, while an extended curriculum avoids repeating the same work.

Each child has a key person responsible for everyday care and records, giving families a consistent contact. Nursery staff include practitioners qualified at Levels 3 and 4, supported by subject specialists. Daily conversations at collection and drop-off sit alongside parents' evenings and three progress reports each year. Optional reading activities and a Reading Record allow parents to take part at home.

Lunch is brought from home, and the nursery applies a no-nut rule. Snacks include vegetable sticks, fruit and crackers; milk is provided and water remains accessible throughout the day. A quiet rest area lets tired children pause, with adult observation maintained. Parents discuss sleeping patterns with their child's key person. For additional needs, key workers collaborate with outside agencies through observation, intervention and support.

First aid deserves a clear timeline. In September to October 2025, early-years staff lacked the required paediatric first-aid training. By the June 2026 monitoring visit, trained cover was present whenever children attended and accompanied outings; kits were renewed and checked regularly. The September to October 2025 inspection also identified health and safety, attendance and safeguarding failures affecting early-years requirements, including gas safety, legionella management and absence follow-up. On 12 June 2026, inspectors found gas checks and legionella controls in place, suitable attendance monitoring and local-authority notifications, and effective safeguarding arrangements. All relevant standards considered at that monitoring visit were met.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Confirm Reception application requirements, the route and deadline directly with the school. The general school admission process involves an interview with the headteacher and an application form. Places are primarily allocated in application order, subject to academic and behavioural references or reports, with sibling priority; an interview decides final selection when places are limited.

Educational preparation is a separate matter. Individual Learning Journeys, early literacy and home reading activities support the next stage, whether children continue at St Crispin's or move elsewhere. That continuity should not be mistaken for an admission entitlement.

Foundation afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 4pm. Foundation 1 also has a morning option, 8.30am to noon, while its full-time day ends at 3.30pm. From age two, the minimum part-time pattern is two afternoons weekly; from age three, five sessions are expected. Full-day attendance requires at least two days for two-year-olds and three for children aged three and above.

Breakfast Club and Aftercare can be booked as needed, with children aged three and above able to stay until 5pm. Charges depend on age. The nursery supports 15 funded hours for three- and four-year-olds, beginning in the term after their third birthday and ending when they enter full-time Reception/Foundation 2 education. Eligible families can access 30 funded hours; additional attendance beyond the applicable funded hours is charged. Extended funding requires registration and an eligibility code supplied to the office. Funding here is for three- and four-year-olds.

Contact office@stcrispins.co.uk or 0116 270 7648 for nursery enquiries and current charges. Foundation uniform lists cover boys and girls.