Selly Wick Preschool Playgroup

Citrus fruit exploration, caterpillars becoming butterflies and storybooks borrowed for home gave Selly Wick Preschool Playgroup's May 2024 inspection a practical character: exploration and everyday independence went together. This Birmingham playgroup has capacity for 26 children, with key person relationships and children's emotional wellbeing central to its approach.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The overall judgement comes with two useful cautions for parents: teaching needed more systematic review, and staff needed to respond more consistently when children lost interest in activities.

Day sessions run from 9am to 3pm, with paid additional hours alongside Nursery Education Funding.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. For children, this includes developing language, physical skills and independence: in May 2024, listening walks, balancing equipment and managing their own lunch boxes put those areas into practice. Selly Wick's curriculum places emphasis on building from what each child already knows, supporting emotional wellbeing and preparing children for their next stage of education. Strong key person relationships are part of that approach, rather than a separate strand of care.

In May 2024, water play involved lemons, oranges and limes, with sieves, whisks and spoons giving children different ways to investigate. Squeezing fruit introduced changes in colour, scent and texture. Containers fitted with taps let children replenish the water themselves, combining exploration with practice in using their hands independently.

Listening activities extended beyond conversation. In May 2024, children went on environmental sound walks, identifying birds and traffic, while songs and playful rhymes offered another route into language. Borrowing books to read with parents connected activities at the playgroup with time at home.

Outdoor and Community Life

The Very Hungry Caterpillar accompanied children's exploration of butterfly development in May 2024. They cared for caterpillars, watched their transformation and made caterpillar pictures with tissue paper. Cutting and sticking gave the topic a practical dimension, while conversations in the garden let children use the vocabulary they were learning.

A large outdoor area offered trikes and equipment for balancing in May 2024, as well as space to run and jump. For families weighing the daily experience, that combination matters: children could explore movement through both equipment and open-ended play.

Relationships and Communication

Key person relationships are a clear thread through the current curriculum. They give the emphasis on individual knowledge and emotional wellbeing a practical point of contact between children, staff and families.

In May 2024, settling arrangements began with visits to children's homes and continued with introductory sessions at the playgroup. These gave staff opportunities to learn about each child before regular attendance. Everyday routines also encouraged independence: children recognised their own photo-labelled peg and put their lunch box onto a trolley, with staff helping as needed.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted identified SEND support as a strength, finding that staff worked with parents and other agencies and that children made good progress towards individual targets. The current staff structure includes a SENDCO, a designated safeguarding lead and a deputy safeguarding lead, giving these responsibilities identifiable roles within the team.

In May 2024, staff encouraged parents to pack healthy lunches and children to eat healthy snacks.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 37-47 Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham, B29 6HH. Day sessions are from 9am to 3pm, and attendance options include three full days, four full days or the whole week alongside funded hours.

In May 2024, opening was Monday to Friday during school terms. Applications use an online admission and registration form, giving families a direct route into the joining process.

Funding and Paid Extras

Nursery Education Funding (NEF) provides up to 15 hours from the term after a child's third birthday. Additional hours beyond that entitlement are paid for separately; the attendance options distinguish funded time from the extra hours within longer weekly bookings. Families should obtain a current written quotation for their chosen pattern.

• Teaching and engagement. In May 2024, evaluation of teaching was not consistently identifying improvements, and some children needed quicker help to return to purposeful play. During a visit, ask how staff review their practice and respond when a child disengages.
• The shape of the week. Sessions run from 9am to 3pm, with three-day, four-day and whole-week options alongside funding. These are useful patterns for families whose care needs fit within that daytime window.
• Lunch and funded attendance. Children brought lunch boxes in May 2024, while the current funding arrangement separates entitlement from additional paid hours. Ask how meals and non-food consumables are handled for the attendance pattern you choose.

Selly Wick suits families looking for daytime playgroup sessions, including those combining funded hours with additional paid attendance. Its emphasis on key person relationships gives the curriculum a clear personal thread, while the May 2024 examples of fruit exploration, butterfly development and outdoor movement make the learning experience tangible. The Good judgement is balanced by specific work needed on reviewing teaching and keeping children involved. Those are useful subjects for a visit, alongside the practical fit of the weekly pattern.