Flying High Nursery School

Covered outdoor space gives Flying High Nursery School's Ward End branch a practical emphasis: children can explore outside in different weather, rather than reserving outdoor play for dry days.

At 48 Thornton Road, Ward End, Birmingham B8 2LG, the nursery has rooms for babies from three months, two- to three-year-olds and children aged three and above. Its three rooms are the Nest, Barn and Treetops, with a published maximum of 13 children in the youngest room.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its July 2021 inspection. The current practical offer centres on term-time attendance, with help for families discussing funding eligibility.

Rooms and Ages

The Nest has 13 spaces for babies from three months to two years, making its published room cap a useful consideration for families choosing care for younger children.

For children aged two to three, the Barn has 24 places.

Treetops has 37 spaces for children aged three and above.

Those room caps describe the maximum for each environment. They should not be read as the number of children present together, or as a measure of how many children one practitioner supports.

The nursery has capacity for 75 children in total. That whole-setting figure is a different measure from the individual room caps, so the room descriptions are the more useful starting point when considering where a child would spend their day. For a baby, the relevant published maximum is the Nest's 13 spaces, rather than the nursery's overall capacity.

The age bands also give families a clear starting point: the Nest accommodates the youngest children, the Barn covers the two-to-three stage, and Treetops serves children from three onwards. Each environment is arranged around the needs of its age group, with opportunities to explore, learn and play. These are age-based room arrangements; the numbers alone do not establish how much individual attention a child receives.

Outdoor and Community Life

Ward End's main outdoor area has been refurbished with additional covered sections. These give children opportunities to explore outside in different weather.

Ward End's senior nursery manager also holds the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator and designated safeguarding lead roles. These provide identified points of responsibility for additional needs and safeguarding concerns.

For a family discussing additional support, the SEND coordinator role gives that conversation a clear point of contact within the nursery's leadership. The same senior role also carries responsibility as a designated safeguarding lead. These responsibilities explain who parents can approach; they do not, by themselves, establish the effectiveness of support or safeguarding practice.

The senior manager is available to discuss support needs or concerns with families. That is a useful practical distinction from a general enquiry about hours or fees: parents have an identified leadership contact for conversations about their child's care. The role matters more than the individual holding it.

Sessions and Attendance

Ward End opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5pm, during term time only. School-holiday childcare therefore needs a separate arrangement.

Funding and Paid Extras

Ward End helps families discuss funding eligibility and apply for government funding. Funding eligibility and fees can be discussed with the branch on 0121 213 7336. Staff can also help parents apply for government funding, giving families assistance with the application as well as a discussion about eligibility. Eligibility and the cost of care are separate considerations: help with an application is not a guarantee that a particular child qualifies.

• Term-time fit. Ward End opens during term time only. Families needing year-round childcare must account for school-holiday breaks.
• Youngest-room size. The Nest has a published maximum of 13 spaces. At a visit, ask how attendance and practitioner deployment work within that room cap.
• Outdoor use. Ward End's main outdoor area includes additional covered sections. Ask how children in each age group use these areas during the day.

Flying High's Ward End branch suits families whose childcare needs fit term-time attendance. The Nest's published cap and covered main outdoor space give parents concrete features to weigh, while the branch offers help with funding applications.

The Good judgement dates to July 2021. The current offer includes age-based rooms and identified SEND and safeguarding responsibilities. School-holiday closures are a practical constraint for families needing care throughout the year.