Raise to Shine Childcare

A rooftop garden for babies and direct garden access for preschool children give Raise to Shine Childcare a recognisable character: outdoor space is attached to different stages of the nursery day. At its 23 January 2026 inspection, Ofsted assessed all six areas at Expected standard and found safeguarding standards met. That is the useful starting point for judging the setting, alongside its practical room arrangements and the teaching improvements recommended in January 2026.

Based in Shirley, Solihull, the nursery has capacity for 42 children aged one month to five years. Three named rooms separate babies, toddlers and preschool children, with toilet-training facilities attached to the toddler provision. Morning, afternoon and full-day bookings serve different attendance needs, with an extended finish also offered.

The strongest physical details are clear. The educational picture needs more care: January 2026 brought recommendations for more precise activity planning, stronger support for staff teaching and better organisation of daily routines. Families should weigh both parts of that picture.

Rooms and Ages

Little Stars, for birth to two, combines early exploration with a dedicated rooftop garden, giving the youngest children their own outdoor space. Shooting Stars, for two to three, emphasises confidence and developing skills, with a purpose-built bathroom supporting toilet training. Shining Stars, for three to five, provides learning challenges and free-flow garden access, allowing outdoor exploration to sit alongside indoor activity.

These are practical differences between the rooms. For babies, the rooftop space is the defining feature; for toddlers, the bathroom connects the environment to a major change in daily care. Preschool children have a different arrangement again, with direct access to the garden.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, play includes opportunities to develop language, social skills and early mathematical understanding. The framework is the foundation of the nursery day rather than an additional programme.

In January 2026, babies explored wheeled toys, animal figures and toys demonstrating cause and effect, while staff introduced sounds and words. Toddlers used a dolls house, figures, puppets and storytelling props, with adults helping them develop play alongside other children. Preschool activities included play-dough cakes, painting and making pretend pizzas, with counting, shapes and patterns woven into creative work.

Choice also mattered in January 2026. Toddlers could request resources, and older children developed play ideas with adults and one another. This gave children opportunities to influence what they did, rather than simply follow an adult's activity plan.

The next step was greater precision. January 2026 recommendations called for activities to connect more closely to each child's next learning step and for staff to receive more targeted teaching support. Interesting resources alone were not the whole answer; how adults used them needed further attention.

At the January 2026 inspection, Ofsted found children, including those with SEND, making expected progress, with support including sensory boxes, reviewed SEND plans and close work with parents. Those examples matter more than a broad promise of inclusion: they describe practical tools and a process for adapting support.

In January 2026, key-person relationships helped children develop a sense of belonging, and staff discussed individual care routines with parents. Work with baby-room families included weaning and safe sleep, connecting nursery care with arrangements at home. Settling support rested on warm interactions and familiarity with individual children.

Independence developed in small steps during January 2026. Babies chose fruit and drinks at snack time; toddlers received support with potty training when ready; preschool children served their own lunch portions and managed toileting with little assistance. These examples show independence extending into ordinary care, rather than being confined to planned activities.

There was a specific weakness in those routines. In January 2026, toddlers did not consistently receive a clear explanation when play stopped for a nappy change, making the switch confusing. Better signals between activities were needed to help children understand what would happen next.

Staffing also deserves attention. In January 2026, leaders were rebuilding stability following a period of staff changes, although staffing levels and supervision were maintained at that visit. The development recommendation was about giving practitioners more direct support and confidence in their teaching.

Meals are freshly prepared each day and plant based, with a weaning menu also offered. In January 2026, the chef adapted food for individual dietary needs, while staff checked meals intended for specific children and supervised eating to reduce cross-contamination risks.

Sessions and Attendance

Full Day runs from 7.30am to 5.30pm. Half Day - Morning runs from 7.30am to 12.30pm, and Half Day - Afternoon from 12.30pm to 5.30pm; each half-day pattern requires a minimum booking of two sessions. Extended Finish covers 5.30pm to 6pm.

Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and the Christmas period. The distinction between the full-day booking and the later closing time matters when planning collection: the final part of the opening window is a separate extension.

Getting There

The address is 70 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3LP. Enquiries can be made by telephone or email, and viewings can be booked through the contact route.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes arrangements for 30-hours funding and 15 hours funding. The Full Day pattern is presented as suitable for the former, with an example of three days; the afternoon pattern is linked to the latter. These are attendance options, not a promise of eligibility or a funded place.

Standard fees include morning breakfast, snack and lunch, plus afternoon snack and tea. Formula milk, nappies and wipes are included in standard fees, but consumables are charged during subsidised funded hours. That funded-hours distinction matters when comparing the overall cost of different bookings.

A registration charge applies, except to families eligible for funding, and late collection attracts a charge. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation; the session and fee information sets out the charging structure.

• Teaching precision. January 2026 recommendations called for activities to match children's next steps more closely and for more targeted support for practitioners. At a visit, ask how an individual child's next step shapes an activity in their room.
• Toddler transitions. January 2026 identified unclear signals between play and nappy changes. Ask how Shooting Stars now helps children anticipate those changes.
• Team continuity. Leaders were rebuilding staffing stability in January 2026. Ask how key-person cover works when a familiar practitioner is absent.
• Funded-hours extras. Consumables are payable during subsidised funded hours, although standard fees include formula milk, nappies and wipes. Compare written quotations for the attendance pattern you intend to use.

Raise to Shine suits families considering morning or afternoon sessions as well as full-day bookings, especially those who value outdoor access tailored to different ages. Little Stars' rooftop garden and Shining Stars' free-flow garden access give the room arrangements substance.

The January 2026 picture also calls for a measured choice. Practical care examples sit alongside clear recommendations on teaching, planning and routines.