Lets Play Nursery

Instant-use cameras and a mini-beach set-up give Lets Play Nursery a memorable learning story: in March 2024, children photographed friends while exploring portraits, and practised making letters in sand. These were practical ways to connect an interest with something children could try for themselves.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), progressed rapidly. In Hall Green, Birmingham, the nursery has capacity for 45 children, with an accepted age range from birth to five.

The early years foundation stage brings children's learning, care and development together. In March 2024, this meant developing communication through conversations, practising shapes and letters through mark-making, and learning to cooperate through shared play.

In March 2024, resources were chosen around children's interests and kept within their reach, allowing them to revisit learning independently. Mark-making involved paint, leaves and sticks, while the mini-beach set-up gave children another way to explore shapes and letters. Different materials made practice part of play.

Outdoor play also offered choices. In March 2024, children could move outside freely, collaborate on pretend soup and construct a home for hedgehogs. These shared projects gave them reasons to explain ideas, agree decisions and work together. Staff combined teaching approaches and used training to adapt their practice to the children attending.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised SEND support, including early recognition of additional needs, individual help from the special educational needs coordinator and collaboration with other professionals.

In March 2024, staff used calm voices and gave children a say in care routines. Each child heard a story ahead of their nap, and adults allowed thinking time before expecting answers to questions. That pacing made conversation a two-way exchange.

Home learning was personalised too. In March 2024, families received activities matched to their child's interests and learning needs, linking nursery experiences with practice at home. Leaders reviewed teaching and arranged training shaped around staff needs; staff wellbeing was also part of their work.

The address is 25-27 Redstone Farm Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 9NU. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In March 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Personalised learning. March 2024 examples included portrait photography and activities tailored for home. Discuss how your child's interests would shape their experiences.
• Settling and costs. How would settling work for your child, and what would their attendance quotation cover for meals and consumables?
• Holiday cover. Bank holidays and a week at Christmas are closure periods. Families needing care then should factor those breaks into their plans.

Lets Play Nursery suits families seeking year-round weekday care who value practical, interest-led play. Its Outstanding March 2024 judgement gives a strong assessment of quality at that date; the useful detail is the combination of child choice, purposeful resources and personalised support for learning at home.