Lilliput Lodge Children's Day Nursery

Garden exploration and learning about living creatures give Lilliput Lodge Children's Day Nursery a recognisable character: in May 2023, babies investigated flowers and children learnt about life cycles, including chickens hatched from eggs at the nursery. These were concrete ways to connect play with the natural world.

The nursery is on Thimblemill Road in Smethwick, B67 6NR, with capacity for 50 children aged 3 to 60 months. At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and found safeguarding effective.

In May 2023, learning followed children's interests and their next steps. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the activities observed brought counting, conversation and physical exploration into play.

Sand and water helped children explore how much things held and how heavy they were. Practitioners responded to babies' gestures and sounds, helped two-year-olds form sentences and encouraged older children to explain their opinions. That gave communication a different shape at each stage.

Outdoor activity had substance too. In May 2023, children used logs for balancing, alongside running and climbing; dough, scissors and cutlery provided practice in smaller movements. Babies had an environment arranged to support mobility. However, competing routines sometimes interrupted concentration during adult-led learning.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received effective support, with staff understanding individual needs and the SENDCo working with parents and outside agencies.

In May 2023, close monitoring of learning led to individual help and work in small groups where children needed it. Staff knew their key children and used praise and gentle prompts to guide behaviour. For families, these arrangements connected everyday relationships with practical help.

Communication extended beyond the nursery day. In May 2023, parents received updates about learning and development, plus suggestions for activities at home. Staff also helped children develop skills for moving on to school.

Meals and snacks were nutritious in May 2023, and drinking water was accessible. The lunchtime organisation nevertheless needed attention: some children spent too long waiting before eating.

The address is Lilliput Nursery, Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, B67 6NR. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year except bank holidays.

In May 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision.

• Concentration during activities. In May 2023, nearby routines sometimes distracted children from adult-led learning. On a visit, look at how quieter activities are separated from busier play.
• Waiting for lunch. In May 2023, children sometimes waited unnecessarily before their meal. Ask how the lunchtime routine now keeps that wait short.
• Attendance planning. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm. Which booking pattern would fit your family's working day?

Lilliput Lodge suits families seeking care across the year, with weekday opening hours that extend from early morning into the evening. Its May 2023 strengths included outdoor exploration, communication practice and individual support, while concentration and lunch organisation were the practical weaknesses. Those two routines deserve attention when weighing the nursery against your child's needs.