South and City College Nursery

Toy-car ramps, an indoor trampoline and school uniforms for dressing up give South and City College Nursery's June 2022 nursery day a practical, playful character. Set within the college grounds in Hall Green, Birmingham, it has capacity for 52 children aged 3 to 60 months.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, while calling for clearer learning intentions in some staff-led activities and more outdoor experiences for younger children. Those two points matter alongside the positive judgement: purposeful teaching and access to outdoor play deserve attention when choosing care.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and everyday independence into the nursery day. In June 2022, babies experimented with ramps and toy cars, while toddlers searched through sand for hidden objects. These were concrete opportunities to persist with a problem or investigate through play.

Older children used outdoor equipment for balancing and climbing. Indoors, a small trampoline gave children practice at waiting for a turn; other apparatus supported bouncing and sliding. In June 2022, older children also took regular trips around the local area, although younger children's outdoor experiences needed further development.

Conversation was woven into activities in June 2022. Staff allowed thinking time after questions and used words supplied by parents in children's home languages, connecting nursery exchanges with familiar language.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with parents and professionals involved in addressing individual needs. This gives families a dated assessment of both protection and additional support.

In June 2022, children built affectionate relationships with responsive staff, and parents received updates through daily conversations and an online journal. School preparation included discussing the change ahead and using school uniforms during dressing-up play, making the transition something children could explore. Hot cooked meals were served, and routines included handwashing and putting on shoes for outdoor play.

The address is Cole Bank Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8ES. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday and 8am to 5pm on Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays. The earlier Friday finish is relevant to collection arrangements.

In June 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Younger children's outdoor play. June 2022 brought a specific recommendation to expand these experiences. On a visit, ask how outdoor time now works for babies and toddlers.
• Purposeful activities. Some staff-led activities needed clearer learning intentions in June 2022. Ask how staff choose an activity's intended learning and build on what a child can already do.
• Term-time routine. School-holiday closures and the 5pm Friday finish need to fit the family's care arrangements.

South and City College Nursery suits families seeking term-time childcare in Hall Green. Its June 2022 assessment combines a Good judgement with practical examples of language, physical play and preparation for school. The strongest decision points are the fit with school-holiday closures and how younger children's outdoor experiences and staff-led planning have developed.