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Dots & Tots Nursery in Leicester (LE3)

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2025)
·
4.8(22 parent reviews) ·5 Petworth Drive, Leicester, LE3 9RF · Leicester
Number of places
34 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2025
Local authority
Leicester

About this day nursery

Dots & Tots Nursery offers high-quality childcare in Leicester across two distinct settings: Petworth and Alderman Richard Hallam (ARH). The nursery prides itself on providing a safe and stimulating environment where children from baby to pre-school age can flourish.

Their educational philosophy is rooted in child-initiated learning, incorporating an eclectic mix of theories and open-ended resources to foster self-determination and holistic development. They aim to nurture each child's individual potential through carefully planned activities and in-the-moment learning opportunities, ensuring progression through developmental milestones with continuous guidance and support.

A dedicated in-house physical development co-ordinator enhances the curriculum with activities like balance-ability, fundamental movements, and yoga, contributing to the children's overall physical well-being. The nursery is committed to creating an impactful learning environment, regularly reviewing and adapting practices based on reflective observations to guarantee every child is reaching their full potential.

Our ethos

The nursery's educational philosophy is rooted in child-initiated learning, incorporating an eclectic mix of theories and open-ended resources to foster self-determination and holistic development. They aim to nurture each child's individual potential through carefully planned activities and in-the-moment learning opportunities, ensuring progression through developmental milestones with continuous guidance and support.

What it's like

Children show positive relationships with staff, who support them to persevere with challenges and build self-esteem. Children enjoy playing with puppets and show progression in their speaking skills. Older children engage in activities that help them remember and recall favourite stories.

Child-initiated learningTwo locationsPhysical development coordinator

Pricing & funding

Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Petworth: 8am to 6pm on week days; ARH: 8am to 4.30pm, term-time

Age range

babies and children up to pre-school age

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Dots & Tots Nursery

Last inspected 13 January 2025 · Hayley Ruane

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children show positive relationships with staff, who support them to persevere with challenges and build self-esteem. Children enjoy playing with puppets and show progression in their speaking skills. Older children engage in activities that help them remember and recall favourite stories.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are encouraged to be independent, with staff asking younger children to use both hands when pouring cereal and older children choosing their own food at lunchtime.
  • Staff share information with parents about children's day, including photos of activities and what children eat.
  • Staff support children in following their interests to extend learning, such as suggesting making a road for toy cars.
  • The nursery cook and staff offer a variety of nutritious snacks and meals, helping children identify healthy foods.
  • The management team makes changes that positively impact children's experiences, such as older children using an upstairs playroom with technological devices.

Areas to develop

  • 1continue to support children to understand what is expected of them and how their behaviours may impact on themselves, their peers and the environment
  • 2help staff to develop their interactions with children who speak English as an additional language to support their understanding and language development.
Inspection #10367261 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents say that they like how staff focus on stories each week, and they have purchased the same books to read to their children at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Dots & Tots Nursery

4.8
(22)
Iveta Lee
a year ago

Mia loves going to nursery and all staff are so lovely. Updating us with pictures and daily feedback on collection. My daughter is so social since attending nursery. Thank you for being so caring.

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Gemma Sayce
2 years ago

Fantastic nursery! My daughter loves it here. Lots of messy play and activities to help her develop and learn new skills. The staff as lovely to deal with and extremely knowledgeable. Their app keeps me up to date on how my little one is doing throughout the day. Really would recommend Dots & Tots to anyone.

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damian pedge
3 years ago

This is an absolute outstanding nursery. Our son has attended here for a year now and the care given to him has been truly amazing. He has had continuity with the same nursery practitioners throughout. His progression has shown from the educational activities the nursery provides. They always give feedback via the famly app and are happy to answer any questions you have. Overall, I would recommend Dots and Tots Nursery to anyone looking for a great place to send their child.

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Andrea Greasley
a year ago

My son attended thus nursery from 9 months old to starting school. Wonderful setting and lovely team. Highest standard of care and learning. Would highly recommend

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Melissa Watson
3 years ago

My son started Dotties nursery just after covid and went straight into the preschool room, with the director running the room alongside other amazing staff. Myself and my son was made to feel very welcome and we was met everyday by such friendly and kind people. The staff along side the director support and help develop my sons learning and he’s now such a big part of the Dotties family it’s going to break my heart when it’s time for him to leave for school. I honestly can’t recommend a better nursery to send you children. I felt like I was leaving my son with family a real home from home feeling! So if your even thinking of this nursery I recommend calling and booking a viewing it’s perfect from the baby’s room right up to preschool

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Dots & Tots Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

13 January 2025

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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