Tick Tock Day Nursery

A spacious garden and warm relationships sit alongside a serious teaching challenge at Tick Tock Day Nursery in Old Hill. At its 5 March 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, and inclusion to meet the expected standard, while achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership and governance needed attention; safeguarding standards were met. Those distinctions matter: care and learning did not receive the same assessment.

The nursery has capacity for 121 children, accepting ages from birth to five. Its practical reach is broad, but families should weigh the teaching concerns alongside the care observations.

In March 2026, children had daily time outdoors in a spacious garden with plentiful equipment. Digging in sand, riding bicycles and climbing large apparatus gave them different ways to develop movement and coordination. Babies had space to practise crawling and walking. These are concrete opportunities for physical development.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care, bringing these together rather than treating education separately from everyday routines. In March 2026, some activities introduced mathematical ideas through shape, size and capacity, while community walks connected learning with familiar surroundings.

At the March 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that teaching varied between rooms, staff did not all understand the curriculum, interactions were not consistently matched to children's development, quieter children received too little conversation, and training that was not fully effective in improving teaching and imprecise feedback slowed improvements and affected some children's progress. Story sessions also suffered interruptions when children were taken away for personal care. The concern reaches beyond which activities are offered to how consistently adults help children learn from them.

In March 2026, children spent time with their key person, and staff offered physical comfort when needed. Younger children's care included sensitive responses to hunger and tiredness. Predictable routines helped children anticipate what came next, while turn-taking games gave older children practice in playing together.

Support arrangements in March 2026 included contact with other professionals and local authority advisers, staff training, and reviews of individual targets at the end of each week. Staff adapted equipment and outings to reduce barriers to participation. Families and staff exchanged information in both directions, helping connect nursery life with home.

Meals and snacks were part of daily life in March 2026, alongside conversations with families about healthy eating and oral health. Children also practised handwashing around meals and outdoor play.

The address is 134 Halesowen Road, Old Hill, Cradley Heath, B64 5LS. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening except bank holidays. That gives families a clear operating window when considering how childcare fits their working day.

• Teaching consistency. March 2026 findings included uneven interactions and uncertainty about the curriculum. At a visit, ask how staff now plan learning and involve quieter children.
• Staff development. The March 2026 findings linked vague feedback and training that was not fully effective in improving teaching to slow progress in improving teaching. Ask for concrete examples of how staff support has changed everyday practice.
• Your child's attendance. The nursery opens throughout the year except bank holidays. Which booking pattern would fit your family's routine?

Tick Tock suits families seeking year-round childcare who value outdoor activity and relationships with a key person. Its March 2026 picture also demands careful consideration of teaching: physical experiences and responsive personal care sit alongside substantial concerns about curriculum delivery. Families should make that balance central to their decision.