St Michaels Nursery

Language and everyday independence give St Michaels Nursery its character: animal sounds during stories, conversations through play and children learning to serve their own food. These were features of daily life in April 2025. At its 15 April 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall.

Based at Windmill Community Centre in Smethwick, the setting has capacity for 48 children, with an age range of 1 to 60 months. Families should read the account of daily practice below as an April 2025 snapshot.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing learning and everyday care together rather than treating them as separate parts of nursery life.

In April 2025, staff used children's interests to shape activities, including bringing vehicles into mark-making. Stories offered different challenges: younger children experimented with animal noises, while older children listened for rhyme. Pictures and objects helped staff explain vocabulary to children who needed more support with speech.

Children chose their own play in spaces arranged for different developmental stages. Cosy areas for books gave older children somewhere to share stories. Mother's Day and Eid provided opportunities to explore different celebrations and children's sense of identity.

There were weaknesses within that day, too. Some small-group activities lacked a precise learning purpose, and teaching did not consistently accommodate each child's needs. Changes between activities could also lose momentum, leaving children moving around rather than absorbed in learning.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that children with SEND made good progress, supported by adaptations and collaboration with parents and other professionals.

In April 2025, emotional comfort took practical forms: staff cuddled babies and soothed them towards sleep. Simple behaviour expectations were reinforced gently, helping children practise turn-taking and consideration for others.

Self-care was part of the routine. Staff explained hand hygiene, supported younger children with feeding and encouraged older children to manage toileting, wash their hands and serve themselves. These are useful steps towards greater independence and the move to school. Communication with parents covered children's learning and development.

The address is Windmill Community Centre, Messenger Road, Smethwick, B66 3DX. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and two weeks at Christmas.

In April 2025, nursery sessions ran from 7.30am to 6pm, and funded early education was provided for children aged nine months to four years.

• Small-group teaching. In April 2025, some activities needed clearer learning aims and better adjustment to individual needs. On a visit, ask how staff now plan these sessions.
• Changes in the day. April 2025 routines sometimes left children disengaged between activities. Ask how these moments are organised now.
• Attendance and costs. How would the booking pattern, funded hours and charges for meals and consumables work for your child's proposed attendance?

St Michaels Nursery merits consideration for families who value language-rich play, gentle emotional care and growing independence. The April 2025 account gives concrete examples of each. Its weaker points were the precision of small-group teaching and the organisation of transitions, making those the most useful subjects for a visit conversation.