Bambams Nursery

Ice painting in an outdoor classroom and imaginary journeys by plane give Bambams Nursery’s December 2022 account its character. This Sheldon setting has capacity for 49 children, with a current age range of 9 to 60 months.

At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and SEND support helpful, but called for more consistent teaching because some activities lost their learning purpose. That is a positive assessment with a clear reservation. A later notification failure also matters to the overall picture.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children’s learning, development and care. In everyday terms, it connects play and planned experiences with the skills children are developing.

In December 2022, staff used parents’ knowledge alongside their assessments to plan what children would learn next. Conversation featured strongly: adults listened and gave children opportunities to answer. Children also drew on their experiences to invent games, including building an imaginary plane. This brought language and imaginative play together.

The outdoor classroom supplied a more physical example that December. Children painted ice, explored changing colours and used small rakes to break it apart; elsewhere, they hammered nails into foam strips. These were practical opportunities to handle tools and investigate materials. Older children also explored counting and simple calculations through adults’ questions.

The teaching concern is relevant alongside those examples: an engaging activity did not consistently retain a clear educational purpose.

In December 2022, staff comforted children when they became upset and helped them manage emotions. Simple rules supported sharing and cooperation, while reminders about handwashing and coughing into sleeves connected personal care with everyday health.

Communication that December combined daily conversations with an online system covering children’s experiences and learning. Individual time formed part of support for children with SEND. Staff also worked with local schools and external agencies on preparation for the next stage of education.

At lunchtime in December 2022, coloured plates identified dietary requirements, and adults sat alongside children to supervise and talk with them. The system gave staff a visible dietary cue during a shared meal.

Bambams Nursery is at 340-344 Brays Road, Sheldon, Birmingham, B26 2RL. Its capacity of 49 places describes the whole setting, rather than the size of any individual group.

In November 2025, Ofsted found during a regulatory telephone call that the provider had failed to notify it about a significant event and required changes; the published outcome stated that the provider remained registered. The notification failure is the latest published regulatory finding and should be read alongside the earlier Good judgement.

• Teaching consistency. The December 2022 improvement point concerned activities losing their educational purpose. On a visit, ask how staff keep learning intentions clear while following children’s interests.
• Notification procedures. The November 2025 finding concerned required notifications. Ask what procedures now ensure significant events and changes are reported.
• Your child’s attendance pattern. Discuss the sessions, funded-hours arrangements and full written charge structure for the pattern you need before making a commitment.

Bambams merits consideration by families who value conversational learning, practical exploration and communication about their child’s day. Those strengths belong to the December 2022 assessment. The balance is important: teaching consistency needed attention, and the November 2025 notification finding adds a separate concern about management procedures. Both deserve a substantive discussion before choosing the nursery.