Little Scallywags Day Nursery Rowley Regis

A nursery library, shared sensory space and several outdoor play areas give Little Scallywags Day Nursery Rowley Regis more than its main playrooms alone. These are useful differences for families who value books, space to explore and opportunities for physical play within the same setting. The nursery accepts children aged 2 to 60 months at its Carlyle Road address in Sandwell.

At the 26 February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The practical appeal is matched by specific improvement priorities: children needed more time to respond to new vocabulary, and families of children with SEND needed clearer involvement in their support plans. Both deserve attention alongside the grade.

Paid half days and several age-dependent funded attendance patterns give families different ways to organise childcare.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, play, conversation, stories and everyday routines provide the means of learning. It is the required framework, rather than an extra programme exclusive to this nursery.

In February 2025, activities were shaped around children's interests and their next learning steps. Staff gathered information about children's starting points, then used observation and assessment to decide what to introduce next. For parents, the useful distinction is individual planning: what a child already understands should influence the experiences offered to them.

Books featured strongly in the February 2025 nursery day. Older children retold familiar stories during phonics activities, while younger children explored flap books and responded to an animal story. These experiences involved participation rather than simply listening. Songs and movement also gave younger children opportunities to join in, with group activities encouraging listening and taking turns.

Language teaching had a clear limitation at that time. Adults introduced vocabulary and asked questions, but sometimes moved on before children could consider an answer or practise the words themselves. The improvement required was about the pace of interaction. A busy conversation needs space for the child's contribution too.

Outdoor and Community Life

Five main rooms are supplemented by the nursery library and sensory space, both shared by children across the setting. The playrooms are bright and spacious. For families comparing indoor environments, the shared spaces add options beyond the main room where their child spends much of the day.

Several outdoor areas provide opportunities for physical play. In February 2025, children also had opportunities to exercise and play outside, supporting the development of larger movements. This makes outdoor time relevant to development as well as a change of setting during the day.

Relationships and Communication

In February 2025, the key-person arrangement gave children a consistent adult connection. Younger children sought comfort from familiar staff, and home visits helped practitioners understand children's abilities before they started. For a child beginning nursery, that information gives staff something concrete to build on rather than starting from assumptions.

Everyday independence was also part of care at that time. Children practised managing handwashing and toileting, while younger children reached for their drinking beakers themselves. Adults encouraged children to pour water. These small routines give children opportunities to do things for themselves throughout the day, rather than reserving independence for a planned activity.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff used screening tools, targeted support and work with other professionals for children with SEND, but some parents did not sufficiently understand their children's plans. The distinction matters: support being in place and families understanding it are separate requirements. The improvement priority was a better exchange of information in both directions.

In February 2025, staff development included SEND training, supervision, meetings and observations of practice. This connected professional learning with what practitioners actually did during the nursery day. Families considering additional support should give the clarity of their child's plan as much weight as the existence of specialist input.

Children ate freshly prepared cooked food and nutritious snacks in February 2025. Meals also formed part of everyday routines in which children practised independence.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 1A Carlyle Road, Rowley Regis, B65 9BQ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm; the nursery operates Monday to Friday across the year, with bank holidays closed. Enquiries can be made by telephone on 0121 561 5513 or by email to rowleyregis@littlescallywagsdaynursery.co.uk.

A paid half day runs from 8am to 1pm. The daily rate covers up to 9 hours of childcare, with additional time charged separately. This distinction matters when comparing a day's booking with the full opening window.

Funded attendance depends on the entitlement and child's age. For 15-hour funding at age 2, the pattern is five days of either 8.30am to 11.30am or 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The 15-hour universal entitlement at age 3 is taken over two days, from 8am to 3.30pm. These are substantially different weekly arrangements.

For eligible children receiving 30-hour extended funding from 9 months, or at age 2, the arrangement is three days from 7.30am to 5.30pm. At age 3, the three-day options are 7.30am to 5.30pm or 8am to 6pm. Additional days or time beyond the relevant funded pattern attract private charges.

Funding and Paid Extras

Dinners and snacks are included in the private daily rate. Children attending only for funded hours are charged separately for dinners and snacks, so funded childcare and food costs need to be considered separately.

The Rowley Regis fees page explains the attendance and charge structure. Obtain a current written quotation covering childcare and food charges. The main comparison for families is the total arrangement: entitlement, chosen attendance pattern, extra childcare and food charges.

• Time to answer. In February 2025, adults sometimes gave children too little thinking time during language activities. During a visit, ask how staff now make room for children to respond and repeat unfamiliar words.
• Understanding SEND plans. The February 2025 improvement priority included clearer communication with parents about support. Families needing this provision should ask how plans are explained, reviewed and informed by their own observations.
• Age-dependent funding patterns. The 15-hour arrangements differ between ages 2 and 3, while extended funding uses three-day patterns. Consider how those exact hours fit the household's working week.
• Food and everyday supplies. Funded-only attendance carries a separate food charge. Ask what families need to supply for their child's daily care alongside the written quotation.

Rowley Regis suits families choosing either a paid morning half day or an age-appropriate funded pattern, including three-day extended funding. The library, sensory space and outdoor areas give its physical environment useful variety. Its February 2025 strengths included individual planning, familiar adult relationships and opportunities to build independence through ordinary routines.

The reservations are specific enough to act on: the pace of language interactions and parents' understanding of SEND plans. Families who value books, physical play and individual attention have clear reasons to consider it, with those improvement priorities shaping the visit conversation.