Kingshurst Caterpillars CIO

Children choosing how to arrange their play space, planting apple seeds after snack and borrowing books to share at home give Kingshurst Caterpillars CIO its character. These were features of daily life in May 2023, when children had practical opportunities to make decisions and take responsibility.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Based at Kingshurst Primary School in Birmingham, the setting has capacity for 40 children; the children attending in May 2023 were aged two to four.

In May 2023, children helped arrange their learning space each morning. Responsibility continued through everyday routines: washing hands before snack, moving their name between boards after eating and helping put toys away when a bell sounded. Small tasks gave children an active part in organising their day.

The early years foundation stage links children's learning, development and care: here, the May 2023 examples included sensory play, conversation, stories and collaborative building. Sand and water offered hands-on exploration, while musical instruments, singing and movement introduced sounds and rhythm. Children also worked together to construct a fire station from blocks, practising sharing as they built.

A book corner and lending library connected reading at the setting with reading at home in May 2023. Books containing pictures of children's earlier activities gave them something familiar to discuss; books contributed by parents introduced festivals celebrated by their families.

Learning needed more consistent extension. In May 2023, counting demonstrations did not reliably involve children themselves, and a planting activity stopped short of exploring how seeds develop or what helps them grow. The improvement priorities were more frequent mathematics throughout the day and stronger support for staff to build further learning on children's existing knowledge.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised children needing additional support and understood referral routes to outside agencies. This gives families a dated picture of how staff identified additional support needs and understood referral routes.

In May 2023, adults used individual words repeatedly, alongside actions, to help children communicating without speech connect language with meaning. Shared reading also offered close contact with adults, with children cuddling close to staff during stories. These examples show how communication was woven into play and quieter moments.

The address is Kingshurst Primary School, School Close, Kingshurst, Birmingham B37 6BN.

In May 2023, attendance was Monday to Friday during term time, with morning sessions from 8.30am to 11.30am and afternoon sessions from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Funded early education then covered children aged two, three and four.

In May 2023, relationships between nursery staff and host-school staff supported preparation for moving to school. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Learning beyond the activity. The May 2023 priorities concerned everyday mathematics and extending children's understanding. During a visit, ask how counting and follow-up questions now develop children's play.
• Term-time session planning. The May 2023 pattern separated morning and afternoon attendance. Before arranging work or other childcare around it, ask whether those session times and the term-time pattern still apply.

Kingshurst Caterpillars CIO suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions and a setting based at a primary school, judged against its May 2023 offer. Children's involvement in routines and the home-book connection give that account substance. The balance is clear: a Good inspection judgement alongside specific work needed to deepen learning.