Woodstock Primary Academy Nursery

Learning to talk through play gives Woodstock’s early years provision its clearest character. At the monitoring visit on 31 October 2024, adults used play to develop children’s language and modelled language through their interactions. The nursery belongs to Woodstock Primary Academy on Hattern Avenue in Leicester, rather than operating as a separate setting.

The September 2023 graded inspection judged the school’s early years provision Requires Improvement. That judgement covers early years within the academy; it is not a separate nursery rating. Communication and vocabulary deserve close attention when weighing this provision.

Play and language work together here. In October 2024, the early years curriculum focused closely on vocabulary and communication, with adults creating opportunities for children to practise language while playing. Adults modelled language and extended children’s speech through their interactions. For a parent, the useful distinction is that play provides teaching opportunities as well as time to explore.

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), this gives a concrete picture of how adults support learning: they join children’s activity and help develop the language used within it. Exploration and playing beside other children were also features of early years life in September 2023.

The dated concern matters. In September 2023, language teaching lacked a systematic sequence, and the most disadvantaged children were not reliably catching up in communication, language and early literacy. Parents should weigh the October 2024 account of language teaching alongside that graded judgement.

Settling was a positive feature in September 2023: children in early years adapted well to school life and enjoyed exploring alongside their peers. That is useful reassurance about children’s experience of joining the provision, while remaining a finding from that period.

Additional needs have a school-wide contact route through the special educational needs coordinator, reached via the office. Woodstock’s support arrangements include meetings with parents and advice from specialists, with information shared with staff to help them respond to individual needs. This gives families a route for discussing support rather than leaving concerns with an informal conversation alone.

Speech and language therapy, the Learning, communication and interaction Team (LCI), and sensory support services form part of the school’s SEND arrangements. These are school-wide resources; the support for an individual child depends on their needs. Visual timetables and task planners are among the adjustments used where required.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process, using Leicester City Council’s online route and meeting the Council’s annually specified deadline. Treat this as a separate task from registering interest in the nursery.

Woodstock sets its own admission criteria, while Leicester City Council administers applications. The practical distinction matters: joining the nursery and applying for Reception involve separate decisions. Keep the Reception application on your calendar even after accepting a nursery place.

Register interest in the nursery through its enquiry form. Places are limited, so an enquiry is the starting point rather than confirmation of admission.

School visits can be arranged by calling the office on 0116 2355825 and agreeing a convenient time. The address is Hattern Avenue, Leicester, LE4 2GZ; enquiries can also go to WOO-Office@woodstock.lwlat.org.uk. A visit offers families a practical opportunity to discuss their child’s needs with the school before deciding whether to pursue a place.