Montessori Explorers

Bark to touch, bridges to cross and a cushioned outdoor area for babies give Montessori Explorers a recognisable character. The Nature Trail brings children outside several times a day, while the MONTESSORI TOWER gives older children steps and bridges to tackle. Outdoor play extends to the youngest children, rather than belonging only to preschool.

At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. There were two clear priorities for improvement: giving quieter children more opportunities to contribute, and organising activities and routines so children spend less time waiting. Those points matter alongside the positive judgement, especially for a child who needs encouragement to join a discussion.

Based at Greenhill Lodge in Sutton Coldfield, the nursery has 40 places in total and accepts children aged 2 to 60 months. Its named age groups run from Montessori Learners for babies through Montessori Bloomers to Montessori Explorers for preschool children. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm on weekdays.

Rooms and Ages

Montessori Learners, for children aged 0–2 years, has a baby room arranged to allow rolling, crawling and early walking, giving movement a practical place in the day. Montessori Bloomers covers ages 2–3 years and emphasises developing skills and confidence for school. The Montessori Explorers age group covers 3–4 years and centres on preparation for that next stage.

The wider indoor facilities include a reading library, an art studio and a performance theatre, alongside indoor and outdoor gyms. These provide different settings for books, creative work and physical activity. They also give families useful things to look at during a viewing: the value lies in how children use the spaces, rather than the facilities list alone.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning and care: in everyday terms, play and routines help children develop communication, movement, relationships and early learning skills. Alongside that framework, the nursery emphasises investigating, creating and interacting with other people. Art materials are available across the age groups, giving children ways to make things and express ideas.

In July 2025, younger children explored coloured edible paint with fingers and toy cars, linking sensory play with the beginnings of mark-making. Mathematical learning included comparing bowls of objects and discussing which held more. These are concrete examples of early learning built into play, rather than a separate lesson detached from what interests the child.

The same July 2025 account included parachute play and football, with children playing together. However, some quieter children had fewer chances to share their thoughts during activities. For parents, the useful distinction is between having an activity to join and receiving the encouragement needed to take part in it.

Outdoor and Community Life

The Nature Trail involves exploring uneven ground, touching bark and looking for small animals, with outdoor opportunities several times daily. Babies have their own Sensory Area, where cushioned tarmac and messy play support exploration. For older children, the MONTESSORI TOWER adds climbing, steps and bridge-crossing. Each offers a different kind of physical challenge.

In July 2025, garden play included an obstacle course for balancing and climbing, foam play and digging in mud. Staff helped children think about balance and seek assistance when a challenge became difficult. The outdoor offer therefore has both open-ended play and opportunities to practise managing a physical task.

In July 2025, staff built close relationships with their key children and used comforting spaces and books about feelings to help children understand emotions. That gives a practical picture of emotional care: a familiar adult, somewhere calmer to spend time, and resources that help a child put feelings into words.

At the July 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff worked with parents on timely, targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), helping them progress from their starting points. This is a specific finding about collaborative support, rather than a blanket promise about every child's experience.

Preparation for school also involved ordinary self-care. In July 2025, children practised washing hands, dressing for outdoor play and using cutlery; older children cleared food from their plates. These small responsibilities give children opportunities to do more for themselves before moving on.

Food is included in childcare costs. That is a useful practical feature for families weighing the daily arrangements alongside the learning and care.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Greenhill Lodge, 327-327a Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1DL. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, operates across the year and closes for bank holidays and Christmas. The opening window gives working parents an early start and an evening collection point.

Local School Wrap Round provides transport between the nursery and certain primary schools, with Maney Hill Primary School named. Children can be brought to the nursery from 7:00am before school and collected before 6pm after school; breakfast and tea can be provided. The service includes time to play, and children returning after school can also use the library.

This wraparound arrangement is a practical school-day service. It should be considered separately from the nursery's early-years age groups and opening hours.

Funding and Paid Extras

In July 2025, the nursery offered government-funded early education. Food is included in childcare costs, and current prices come in the nursery's written quotation. Families comparing funded childcare with paid attendance need to consider the whole arrangement, including any items they bring from home.

• Quieter children and waiting time. The July 2025 improvement priorities concerned participation and the organisation of routines. During a viewing, ask how staff draw quieter children into discussions and keep children occupied while activities change.
• The Montessori approach in practice. Investigation and creativity sit alongside named outdoor spaces and art facilities. Ask to see how the approach shapes an ordinary activity and how children use the reading library and art studio.
• Funding and everyday supplies. Government-funded education was offered in July 2025, while food is included in childcare costs. What funded attendance arrangements apply, and what should families bring for their child's day?
• Attendance and school transport. Weekday opening runs from 7am to 6pm, and Local School Wrap Round includes Maney Hill Primary School. Use the viewing enquiry to discuss the nursery attendance pattern you need and how school transport would fit your family's day.

Montessori Explorers suits families who value frequent outdoor play, opportunities for creative work and a progression from a movement-friendly baby room towards preschool preparation. The Nature Trail, Sensory Area and MONTESSORI TOWER make that offer concrete. Families also needing transport around the school day have a separate wraparound service to consider.

The Good judgement in July 2025 supports a positive assessment, with meaningful reservations about quieter children's participation and time lost during routines. How a child is included, and how smoothly the day works, matter as much as the facilities.