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The Early Years Academy Ibstock

Ofsted: Strong standard·
5.0(1 Google review) ·5-7 High Street, Ibstock, LE67 6LG · Leicestershire
Number of places
96 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2026
Local authority
Leicestershire

About this day nursery

The Early Years Academy Ibstock is part of a group of nurseries dedicated to creating a sense of awe and wonder in children's early years. Located in the heart of Ibstock, this newly refurbished nursery provides a warm and welcoming environment where children aged from birth to five years can flourish.

The day nursery aims to foster each child's unique development through sensory play for babies, exploration and independence for toddlers, and investigative activities for pre-schoolers, all designed to build strong foundations for future learning. Their approach is child-centred and inspired by Steiner's philosophy, promoting curiosity, adventure, and resilience.

They offer a rich curriculum that extends beyond traditional learning, incorporating various "academies" such as Forest School, Baking, Intergenerational, Growing, and School Readiness. The team, led by Sophie and Sarah, is committed to continuous professional development and strong partnerships with parents.

Meals are freshly prepared, balanced, and nutritious, catering to dietary requirements, and the day nursery provides nappies and wipes for under 2s. They emphasise flexible booking patterns, unlimited settling-in sessions, and the acceptance of various government funding options to support families.

Our ethos

We create awe and wonder in every moment, fostering environments alive with possibilities. Our child-centered approach, inspired by Steiner’s philosophy, ensures each child enjoys unique, enriching experiences through play, learning, and exploration. Our educators support and extend learning, promoting curiosity, adventure, and resilience. We deeply connect with nature, offering sensory-rich indoor and outdoor environments. We value strong partnerships with parents, involving them actively in their child's journey. Guided by the pillars of Belonging, Being, and Becoming, we strive to create happy, engaged, and motivated learners.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and eager to explore, settling quickly into calm and homely spaces. They enjoy learning through thoughtfully designed, interest-led activities, including rich sensory experiences and open-ended art and play. They form warm, trusting attachments with staff and develop strong communication skills as practitioners model vocabulary, sing, and engage in early turn-taking. Behaviour expectations are calm and consistent, rooted in positive relationships, helping children feel safe to explore and thrive.

Child-centred learningSteiner-inspired philosophyForest SchoolIntergenerational programmeFreshly prepared meals

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers flexible booking patterns and funded-only places. Fees are location-specific, with families advised to check the Ibstock nursery page for a full breakdown. Fresh, home-cooked meals, snacks, and all Academy programmes are included in the fees. Nappies and wipes are provided for children under 2s.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Funding covers childcare only; meals, nappies, and consumables are charged separately for funded hours.
  • Nappies and wipes are included for children under 2s.
  • Unlimited settling-in sessions are included.
  • The nursery offers bespoke booking patterns with no minimum booking required.
  • The nursery provides funded-only sessions.

Key facts

Food

Fresh, home-cooked meals and snacks are included, with dietary requirements catered for. New summer menus feature fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 07:30 - 18:00

Session types

Flexible booking patterns, Funded-only places

Age range

0-5 years

Registered with Ofsted

2024

Waitlist

Not specified

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected May 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
—
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for The Early Years Academy Ibstock

Last inspected 12 May 2026

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and eager to explore, settling quickly into calm and homely spaces. They enjoy learning through thoughtfully designed, interest-led activities, including rich sensory experiences and open-ended art and play. They form warm, trusting attachments with staff and develop strong communication skills as practitioners model vocabulary, sing, and engage in early turn-taking. Behaviour expectations are calm and consistent, rooted in positive relationships, helping children feel safe to explore and thrive.

Inspector highlights

  • Children make consistent and clear progress across all areas of learning, building on what they know and can do.
  • Children are highly focused and motivated, showing confidence in self-help skills and cooperating during shared activities.
  • Leaders provide strategic, highly effective leadership of behaviour, attitudes, and routines, creating a warm, safe, and welcoming environment.
  • Positive relationships are a significant strength, with strong attachments underpinning children's emotional security.
  • Children benefit from an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that builds communication, emotional literacy, cultural awareness, independence, and early mathematics.
  • Children experience a highly inclusive environment where their individual needs are identified early and met with care, precision, and warmth.
  • Teaching is purposeful, responsive, and rooted in deep knowledge of child development.
  • Leadership is well established and embedded across the setting, creating ambitious expectations for all children and staff.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should ensure continued improvement in the setting's successful work to embed consistently high-quality, research-informed practice across all rooms to realise a transformational impact on all children's achievement and wellbeing.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make clear progress due to early identification of needs and swift reduction of barriers. They are supported through a clear graduated approach, with staff and leaders working closely with external agencies and parents, utilising visuals, objects of reference, clear routines, and personalised targeted plans.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language are supported through early targeted plans, dual language strategies, and close partnership with families.

Google Reviews of The Early Years Academy Ibstock

5.0
(1 Google review)
Reece and Danielle Marcer
2 years ago

The Early Years Academy Ibstock is absolutely incredible, we cannot sing their praises highly enough! Our son (who had never been looked after by anyone by us) has been supported and looked after so beautifully by the staff who are truly the loveliest team of people. It was really hard for me (as his Mummy) personally to let him go as I suffered from severe separation anxiety myself - but I knew I had to overcome this as he is nearing school age and the staff have been incredibly kind and understanding to me as well, throughout the process and transition. I really can’t thank them enough and the family room is such a lovely asset for this! We had really struggled to find somewhere that felt right for us and we had nearly given up completely until EYA opened its doors and it was literally like a breath of fresh air! The rooms are so calm and soothing, you immediately feel cosy and at home when you walk in. Not only that, we are so relieved to feel completely reassured and fully trusting of the people we are leaving our little world with, we know he is in the safest hands as the whole staff team are so kind and compassionate…. Everything we had hoped to find in a nursery for him but we really didn’t think it existed. We highly recommend EYA Ibstock to anyone and everyone looking for an early years setting - it has been the best decision we have made for our family and our son has settled so well already! He is already coming on leaps and bounds through both the staff team’s wealth of knowledge and experience (they really are amazing) and socialising with all the other children. Thank you so much Early Years Academy Ibstock xxx

Read on Google

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Inspection history

Most recent inspection

12 May 2026

Strong standard

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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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more