Hummingbird Day Nursery

Mint, lemon and a pestle and mortar give a concrete picture of learning at Hummingbird Day Nursery. In March 2024, children experimented with these ingredients in a water tray, using new vocabulary as they explored. Everyday play supplied something to talk about.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Based at St Georges Community Hub in Great Hampton Row, Birmingham, the nursery has capacity for 42 children aged 24 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the March 2024 examples show how conversation and practical play brought those elements together: children explored ingredients, listened to stories and discussed healthy choices.

In March 2024, story sessions encouraged children to remember earlier events and predict what might happen next. Pretend porridge-making prompted discussion about food choices and teeth. These were opportunities to practise language and connect play with everyday habits.

The water-tray activity gave children choices as well as sensory exploration. In March 2024, they selected fruit and herbs, then used a pestle and mortar to combine mint with lemon juice. Practitioners introduced vocabulary linked to what children were doing, and children tried the words themselves. Language learning was tied to an action and an ingredient, giving the words a concrete meaning.

Children's interests and next learning steps shaped the play opportunities seen in March 2024. Practitioners understood what activities were intended to teach and how to carry them out. The story example illustrates that intention: remembering and anticipating events required children to contribute ideas, rather than simply listen. The teaching concern below matters because children's opportunities to contribute also depended on the pace of adult questioning.

Teaching needed greater consistency, however. In March 2024, some practitioners asked questions too rapidly, leaving children insufficient thinking time. Developing staff confidence in adapting their teaching was an improvement priority. For families, the relevant distinction is between offering an engaging activity and giving each child time to respond.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including early identification of developmental difficulties, targeted plans and collaboration with parents and other professionals. That finding gives families a concrete account of how support worked at that time.

In March 2024, practitioners used calm explanations at children's eye level to help them understand behaviour expectations. Children's artwork was displayed and discussed, giving them opportunities to share their creations with friends and staff.

A March 2024 fire drill illustrated how familiar routines supported children during a disruption. Children knew the procedure, practitioners guided them calmly to the assembly point, and singing occupied the wait. This was a practical example of adults helping children understand what to do while keeping them reassured.

Regular supervision discussions with management or room leaders supported practitioners' understanding of their responsibilities in March 2024. Training took place both internally and externally. Those arrangements provided opportunities for staff development, although the concern about questioning shows that training arrangements and consistent practice are separate considerations.

Children also explored celebrations associated with their friends' cultures in March 2024. Alongside talking about their own artwork, this gave them opportunities to share something personal and learn about other children's experiences.

Communication also had an identified weakness. In March 2024, families received activity updates and information about children's next learning steps, but guidance for supporting development at home did not reach all families consistently. Extending that guidance was the other improvement priority.

The address is St Georges Community Hub, Great Hampton Row, Birmingham, B19 3JG. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In March 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. At that time, children received balanced meals and practised handwashing before eating and after using the toilet.

• Thinking time. Rapid questioning was a March 2024 teaching concern. During a visit, ask how practitioners adapt questions and allow children time to answer.
• Learning at home. Guidance did not consistently reach every family in March 2024. Ask how updates now translate into practical ideas for home.
• Attendance pattern. The weekday opening window spans 7.30am to 6.30pm. Ask which booking pattern would fit your family's routine.

Hummingbird suits families seeking weekday childcare for children aged 24 to 60 months, with an opening window extending into the early evening. Its March 2024 strengths centred on practical language activities, calm interactions and individual support; consistency in questioning and home-learning guidance deserved closer attention. Those are useful priorities for a visit.