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The Early Years Academy Loughborough

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2024)
·
4.6(9 parent reviews) ·5-7 Limehurst Avenue, Loughborough, LE11 1PE · Leicestershire
Number of places
44 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2024
Local authority
Leicestershire

About this day nursery

The Early Years Academy in Loughborough is dedicated to fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity in children from 0 to 5 years old through a child-centred approach inspired by Steiner's philosophy. The nursery provides a nurturing environment where each child's unique journey of play, learning, and exploration is supported by experienced educators.

They emphasise hands-on activities, promoting investigation and problem-solving to build social skills, confidence, and foundational knowledge. The academy values a deep connection with nature, offering rich indoor and outdoor spaces for sensory experiences.

Strong partnerships with parents are a cornerstone of their ethos, actively involving families in their child's development. Operating under the principles of Belonging, Being, and Becoming, The Early Years Academy strives to cultivate happy, engaged, and motivated learners, ensuring every child feels safe, loved, and supported as they grow.

Our ethos

The Early Years Academy Loughborough is inspired by Steiner's philosophy and employs a child-centred approach. They focus on fostering wonder and curiosity through hands-on, investigative play, and a connection with nature. Their ethos is built on Belonging, Being, and Becoming, with strong parent partnerships playing a key role in cultivating happy, engaged learners.

What it's like

Children are supported by staff with their emotional well-being when they face changes in their lives. Children are offered experiences to broaden their learning, such as making sparks to start a fire under close supervision. Children are also encouraged to complete tasks on their own, like serving their own food and pouring drinks.

Child-centred approachSteiner-inspired philosophyNature-rich environmentStrong parent partnershipsFocus on holistic development

Pricing & funding

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
Pricing on request

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

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6.30pm (except one week at Christmas and bank holidays)

Food

Fresh, home-cooked meals and snacks included

Age range

0-5 years

Session types

flexible booking patterns

Established

2013

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Early Years Academy Loughborough

Last inspected 5 June 2024

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 are supported by staff with their emotional well-being when they face changes in their lives. Children are offered experiences to broaden their learning, such as making sparks to start a fire under close supervision. Children are also encouraged to complete tasks on their own, like serving their own food and pouring drinks.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager regularly checks staff's safeguarding knowledge and supports their development.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well by the manager and staff, with timely referrals to other professionals.
  • The manager effectively uses additional funding to provide extra staff and focused group activities.
  • The manager and staff carry out safety checks and promote children's safety, including applying sun cream and ensuring hats are worn outdoors.
  • Staff provide opportunities for children to understand how some healthy foods grow, such as planting and growing strawberries and carrots.

Areas to develop

  • 1help staff to plan more precisely to support all children to learn about the importance of oral hygiene
  • 2strengthen staff interactions with children in the toddler room to help them listen, concentrate and participate
Inspection #10302808 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well by the manager and staff. They ensure that, if needed, children are referred to other professionals in a timely manner. All staff are made aware of how they can meet children's individual needs, helping children progress and close gaps in their learning.

Outdoor space

Staff promote children's safety when they play in the sun. For example, they apply sun cream to children's exposed skin and ensure that they wear hats when they play outdoors in hot weather.

Parent Reviews of The Early Years Academy Loughborough

4.6
(9)
Gemma Fowler
3 months ago

We couldn't be happier with this nursery and the care our son receives here. From the very beginning, the staff have been incredibly warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in the children's wellbeing and development. It's clear how much they care - not just about learning, but about each child as an individual. A special shout-out has to go to the baby room team, who have been absolutely wonderful. Their patience, kindness, and genuine affection have made such a difference, especially during those early settling-in days. Knowing our son is cared for by such a loving and attentive team gives us complete peace of mind. Our son has grown so much in confidence, independence, and curiosity since attending. The activities are engaging, age-appropriate, and thoughtfully planned, and we love how much emphasis is placed on both learning and play. Communication with parents is excellent; we always feel informed and reassured, which makes such a difference.

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Kirstyjade02
3 months ago

Amazing nursery, they take such good care of my 1 year old daughter, she suffers from separation anxiety and they show her so much love and care. She always eats well too, couldn’t fault the nursery one bit

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Kelly HUTCHINSON
3 months ago

The Early Years Academy at Loughborough is such a welcoming nursery, the staff can't do enough to help and support. I am so pleased that I was recommended to this nursery. 5*

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Persephone O'Brart
4 months ago

Just came for a walk around at the nursery, after pressing the buzzer I was left standing outside in the cold with my 5 month old in my arms for 5 minutes with no apology or haste from staff member, rang buzzer again and the attitude from the girl in reception was unacceptable. A shame.

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Julia Garvin
6 years ago

Both my children have attended Babblebrooke nursery, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves! The staff are knowledgeable, approachable and they have a child centred and led approach to their daily activities. My second child settled in really well to Babblebrooke which I believe was helped hugely with the free flow nature of the nursery - she would regularly see her sibling throughout the day and get to play with him, so was instantly more at home. Both my children have eaten well here too, so food must be good! Effort is made to send a monthly newsletter with up to date information, and there are regular events through the year to engage with the families at nursery. Price is certainly reasonable to say everything is included, and on a level with other local nursery provision.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for The Early Years Academy Loughborough. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2024

Date: February 2014

  • June 2024Good
  • June 2023Requires improvement
  • October 2017Good
  • February 2014Good

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