Solihull Day Care

Seeds, stories and leaf-sorting give Solihull Day Care a recognisable learning character. At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding and found exceptional progress across an ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum.

The nursery has capacity for 108 children, with an accepted age range from birth to five years. Its address is Malvern Hall, on Brueton Avenue in Solihull, B91 3EN, at Solihull Preparatory School. The detailed picture of daily life below dates to March 2023.

In March 2023, planting linked practical discovery with storytelling: children watched seeds develop, represented plants in play dough and made their own beanstalk after recalling Jack and the Beanstalk. Leaves became materials for sorting and comparing, while labelled containers connected mathematical thinking with print. These were purposeful links between experiences, rather than isolated activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: children build language, physical skills and understanding through play. In March 2023, younger children explored birdwatching and movement outdoors; babies practised threading, used a small slide and explored instruments. Older children matched letters with their sounds during games.

Ramadan provided another concrete learning thread that March. Books, picture-making and a cardboard mosque helped children explore a community celebration through information and imaginative play.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and excellent support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with care tailored to individual needs through work with parents and other professionals.

In March 2023, independence was practised in everyday tasks, including putting on coats and shoes; staff allowed children to try before stepping in. Mealtimes also involved helping others and serving pudding, making personal care and shared responsibility part of the day.

Relationships mattered alongside those practical skills. That March, children formed friendships, helped one another and learnt to consider how their actions affected others. Parents described close relationships with staff and communication that helped them continue learning at home.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery opens across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas.

In March 2023, it received funding for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded place for an individual child.

The premises were on the Solihull School site in March 2023. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

• A dated picture of practice. The detailed learning and care examples come from March 2023. Use a visit to explore how those approaches work for children now.
• Attendance and costs. The opening window runs from 8am to 6pm across the working week. Which booking patterns, funded options and meal or consumable charges would apply to your child?
• School-site expectations. Sharing the Solihull School site does not guarantee a Reception place. Keep the nursery choice and the later school application separate.

Solihull Day Care suits families seeking care across the working week who value learning built from practical exploration, stories and growing independence. Its March 2023 examples are persuasive: planting becomes storytelling, leaves become mathematics, and dressing becomes problem-solving. The school-site address adds a useful context, but the childcare decision should stand on its own merits.