Precious Times Day Nursery

Choosing the rabbit’s name and voting for a book gave children a say in nursery life at Precious Times Day Nursery in October 2023. These small decisions capture the character of the provision: children’s interests helped shape what happened next.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 27 October 2023, judging safeguarding effective and finding good progress, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). At 25 Bleakhouse Road, Oldbury, B68 9DR, the nursery has capacity for 48 children aged 1 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage covers children’s learning, development and care. In October 2023, children practised language by describing fruit, independence through mealtime tasks and physical coordination through movement and using tweezers.

In October 2023, children’s interests influenced activities and room layouts. Staff expanded imaginary play by developing stories with children, while voting for a book gave them a practical reason to express a preference. Books also held the attention of two-year-olds, who enjoyed reading independently.

Movement took different forms across the ages. In October 2023, babies responded to music by bouncing, two-year-olds propelled wheeled toys and climbed slide steps, and preschool children practised handling tweezers. These experiences combined whole-body movement with smaller, more precise actions.

Indoor planning needed further work in October 2023: room arrangements did not consistently match children’s developmental stages. The improvement priority was to make activities more challenging and better connected to what children already knew.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found strong key-person arrangements, effective communication among staff and excellent partnership with parents, alongside good SEND support involving outside agencies and targeted language work. This connected individual learning needs with the adults supporting each child.

In October 2023, babies built close relationships with practitioners, and nappy changes became opportunities for interaction. Older children handled toileting themselves, while two-year-olds managed mealtime tasks independently. Care routines doubled as chances to practise communication and independence.

Language support in October 2023 included preschool children describing fruit while directing an adult’s drawing. Staff also helped children recognise different emotions and understand how their actions affected others, including putting chairs away safely.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas.

In October 2023, the nursery received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated funding position should be distinguished from the attendance arrangements a family needs now.

• Indoor learning. October 2023 brought a specific improvement priority around matching room arrangements to children’s development. On a visit, look at how activities build on what your child can already do.
• Support for practitioners. In October 2023, monitoring did not consistently identify where staff needed extra help with planning and teaching. Ask how coaching now addresses those individual needs.
• Your attendance costs. With opening hours spanning 7.30am to 6pm, ask for a written quotation covering your intended attendance, funded hours, meals and consumables.

Precious Times Day Nursery suits families seeking care for babies through preschool age within weekday opening hours. Its October 2023 strengths lay in relationships, children’s participation and individual support. The accompanying priorities were practical: sharper indoor planning and more precise support for staff. Both belong in a family’s assessment.