Shining Pearls Nursery

Paint mixing, musical instruments and learning to pour a drink give Shining Pearls Nursery a practical, hands-on character in its September 2022 account of daily life. Small acts of independence matter here as much as organised activities.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its September 2022 inspection, while asking for more precise activity planning and fuller information from parents when children start. The setting has 48 places in total at 124 Duddeston Manor Road, Birmingham, B7 4JP. It opens during term time.

In September 2022, children explored how paints change when combined, played instruments including maracas and xylophones, and acted out familiar experiences such as going to the doctor. These gave them different ways to experiment, communicate and use their imagination.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care; it connects play and everyday routines with developing language, physical skills and understanding. In September 2022, the curriculum addressed its seven areas of learning, with counting, recognising shapes and handling drawing tools among the experiences described.

Outdoor activity also featured in September 2022: children rode wheeled toys, played on see-saws and practised throwing and kicking balls. Indoors, brushes, pens and glue sticks offered practice in controlling smaller movements. The contrast matters for families looking for both active play and preparation for writing.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effective, with families and other professionals involved in targeted help.

In September 2022, staff used words from children's home languages to help those learning English understand routines and express their needs. Conversations included adults listening to children and repeating useful language. That makes communication part of ordinary nursery life, rather than a separate exercise.

Everyday independence was evident in September 2022 too. Children practised dressing, putting away coats and pouring drinks; preparing fruit snacks added another opportunity to do things for themselves. Staff helped children recognise emotions and understand how their actions affected others.

The address is 124 Duddeston Manor Road, Birmingham, B7 4JP. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Those hours make the fit with a family's working day an important practical consideration.

In September 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Planning for your child. In September 2022, observations did not consistently lead to activities matched closely enough to individual needs, and some children lost engagement. Individual attention in planning is a meaningful point to weigh alongside the Good judgement.
• Starting information. The September 2022 improvement priorities included collecting more detail about children's existing achievements from parents. A thorough account of what your child already does matters from the start.
• Term-time fit. The weekday opening window is 8.30am to 3.30pm during term time. At a visit, how would settling and attendance work for your family's routine?

Shining Pearls Nursery suits families whose routines fit a term-time weekday opening window and who value practical independence, language and active play. Its September 2022 assessment gives a positive quality judgement, balanced by clear priorities for individual activity planning and the information gathered at the start.