Mount Street Academy Nursery Review

Learning to hear the sounds within words gives Mount Street Academy's nursery a clear starting point: early reading begins with listening. This is the school's own nursery in Lincoln, with children joining from the term following their third birthday. Morning, afternoon and full-day attendance give families distinct ways to organise the nursery week.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Outstanding at its inspection on 19 and 20 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The nursery's practical appeal is its combination of learning through play, term-time sessions and a staged introduction for new children.

Work and play both have a purpose here. In November 2024, early years activities gave children opportunities to rehearse skills and put them to use. Children remained absorbed in their activities and persisted with tasks. For parents, this gives a concrete picture of early learning: time to practise matters alongside the activity itself.

Listening is a specific part of the nursery curriculum. Children explore sounds within words, providing an introduction to the sound awareness involved in reading. Across early years, adults also build children's vocabulary by introducing unfamiliar words.

Speaking and listening. In November 2024, language development was a priority in early years, but the school still needed a more explicit approach to speaking and listening across its provision. Families should weigh that improvement point alongside the positive findings about children's engagement.

Settling begins before the regular sessions do. Home visits form part of each intake's introduction, followed by staggered starts over the first two weeks. September starters also have July stay-and-play sessions. This gives those children a chance to experience nursery before their September start, while the phased beginning allows an introduction over several days.

Food arrangements are straightforward: each session includes milk and a snack of toast or fruit. Children attending for the full day bring lunch from home. Families therefore need to plan a packed lunch alongside their child's longer attendance pattern.

For additional needs, the school's SEND coordinator can be reached through the office or enquiries@mountstreet.anthemtrust.uk. Mount Street aims to help children participate in learning and school life according to their individual abilities.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Mount Street Academy. Families must make a fresh, separate application through Lincolnshire County Council, using its School Admissions Parent Portal in the normal admissions round.

Treat the two decisions separately: choosing nursery settles the nursery arrangement; a Reception application is still required. Familiarity with the school does not replace that application.

Sessions operate during term time, Monday to Friday. Morning Nursery runs from 9am until noon; Afternoon Nursery starts at 12.15pm and ends at 3.15pm. Full-day attendance runs from 9am to 3.15pm, with lunchtime supervision included within funded hours. These are school-day hours, so the pattern needs to fit the family's working and collection arrangements.

Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places are offered, alongside paid nursery places. Contact the school for current charges. Session requests depend on availability, and the requested pattern may not be possible for the January or March/April intakes.

Nursery enquiries go directly to the school on 01522 527339 or enquiries@mountstreet.anthemtrust.uk; completed nursery application forms go to the same email address.