Little Moments Day Nursery

An Insect Motel, music with Jo Jingles and gardens for both Little Learners and Pre-School give Little Moments Day Nursery a recognisable character. At 24 New Road in Rubery, the emphasis is on exploring, making choices and developing independence, with different spaces for babies and older children. Practical learning runs through the day, from investigating insects to pouring drinks.

The nursery has capacity for 50 children and accepts children aged three months to five years. At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and found safeguarding effective. That judgement provides a dated assessment of care and education, rather than a description of every part of today's routine.

Three rooms organise the progression towards school: Baby Room, Little Learners and Pre-School. The youngest children have sensory experiences, while older children gain opportunities to solve problems and manage everyday tasks. Separate gardens for the older rooms make outdoor exploration part of their own surroundings.

Rooms and Ages

Baby Room caters for children from birth to two, with sensory activities supporting movement, coordination and social and emotional development. The current intake starts at three months. For parents choosing baby care, the useful distinction is the room's emphasis on exploration and developing physical skills rather than school preparation.

Little Learners serves children aged two to three in a large room with its own garden and outdoor equipment, while low toilets and potties support growing independence with toileting. These facilities put an important everyday skill within the children's own room. Pre-School combines problem-solving activities and preparation for school with a separate garden where children can practise taking manageable risks.

In May 2023, babies and toddlers used furniture close to floor level to pull themselves upright, explored water and dough, and moved between activities. Older children gathered stones, sticks and leaves outside for pretend cooking. Comparing leaves by size and identifying their trees connected imaginative play with observation and early mathematical thinking.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS sets expectations for children's learning, development and care; here, its day-to-day expression includes physical activity, early literacy, mathematical exploration and creative work. It is the shared foundation for early years provision. Little Moments combines Development Matters and Birth to Five, two sets of non-statutory guidance used to inform that learning.

CoEl, the characteristics of effective learning, adds attention to how children learn: investigating through play, thinking through problems and trying their own solutions. Planning responds to children's interests, giving practitioners a way to build activities around what engages a child. The emphasis includes shapes and spatial thinking, alongside language that connects understanding with reading and writing.

Jo Jingles provides music classes. Drama activities cater for toddlers and preschool children, with sensory activities for babies, while sports coaching supports movement and coordination across the ages. These additions broaden the nursery day beyond the room's everyday activities; their value lies in the different ways children can participate, whether through music, movement or sensory exploration. The learning journey explains these elements together.

Outdoor and Community Life

The Insect Motel gives children something concrete to investigate outdoors, linking insects with changing weather. Outdoor learning also covers nature and the elements, and rain becomes a subject for exploration rather than simply a reason to stay inside. This suits children who enjoy following what is happening around them.

In May 2023, outdoor movement included tunnels, balancing equipment and climbing over repurposed objects. A garden sound wall gave children another way to experiment, this time with sounds and tunes. Inspiration Day also let children share personal experiences, with family contributions helping introduce different cultures through food and belongings.

Relationships and Communication

A dedicated key person and shared learning journeys provide the structure for relationships with families. Downloadable tools extend that communication beyond nursery. For parents, the combination gives both a familiar contact and a way to follow their child's learning.

In May 2023, staff spoke with parents daily and shared progress updates alongside ideas for learning at home. Family photographs and matching handprints helped children feel connected to parents during the day. Oscar the Owl, a picture in each room that children could talk to about their feelings, gave emotional conversations a concrete starting point.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In May 2023, children slept according to their individual needs, with staff nearby to reassure them and regular checks during sleep. Older children could rest in quieter book areas. The distinction matters: rest was accommodated for children who needed sleep and those who simply needed a quieter pause.

Meals are cooked on site each day by a chef, with breakfast, a cooked lunch, dinner and snacks, and arrangements for religious, cultural and medical dietary requirements. Toddlers and preschool children practise serving themselves with age-appropriate help, make sandwiches and pour drinks from porcelain jugs, turning mealtimes into opportunities for independence.

Sessions and Attendance

Little Moments opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, and operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. The opening window gives families a clear starting point for considering how childcare fits around work and other commitments.

Enquiries can be made through the contact form, by telephone on 0121 457 8383 or by email at manager@littlemomentsdaynursery.co.uk. A separate tour form provides a route to arrange a visit.

Getting There

The address is 24 New Road, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9HU, with access from Whetty Lane. That access detail is useful when planning a first visit because it identifies the approach to the premises rather than just the postal address.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes funding for two-year-olds and 30-hour funding, with stretched funding also offered. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Displays children can use. In May 2023, photographs were positioned too high for children to examine easily. During a visit, look at whether children can now use displays to revisit their experiences and start conversations.
• Different family lives. In May 2023, resources representing families unlike children's own were not readily accessible. Look for books and play materials that make different family structures part of everyday exploration.
• Funding and the complete quotation. Two-year-old, 30-hour and stretched funding are offered. Ask how your intended attendance would use funded hours and how meals and non-food consumables would be treated in the written quotation.

Little Moments suits families seeking care from babyhood through preschool, with outdoor investigation, music and practical independence woven into the offer. Its separate older-room gardens, Jo Jingles classes and Insect Motel give parents concrete reasons to consider it.

The May 2023 Good judgement is a useful reference point, with two specific improvement priorities to explore during a visit. For children who enjoy movement, sensory experiences and doing things for themselves, the nursery's activities and room arrangements provide a clear match.