The Mulberry Bush Day Nursery

In November 2024, signs alongside stories, clay for strengthening hands and songs to signal a change of activity gave The Mulberry Bush Day Nursery a recognisable character. At its November 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, finding effective safeguarding, strong teaching and good progress for children.

The Marston Green setting has capacity for 55 children. Children attending in November 2024 were aged 0 to 4. Its strongest inspection-era details concern communication and independence: staff helped children understand unfamiliar words while giving them space to attempt everyday tasks themselves.

In November 2024, the nursery followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Play brought its areas of learning into practical activities: babies explored movement around furniture and through cardboard boxes, while older children practised balance and turn-taking on stepping stones.

Materials changed with children's development. Toddlers rolled dough into balls; older children worked with clay, which required greater effort to shape. This made hand-strength activities more demanding as children grew. Older children could also choose between indoor and outdoor play.

Communication ran through the day. In November 2024, staff paired signs with words during reading and used simple signs with younger children. Videos helped children explore interests such as trains. Games encouraged sharing and friendships, giving children opportunities to practise social skills alongside language.

In November 2024, personal care included asking permission before wiping a child's nose and explaining what was happening during nappy changes. Songs helped children anticipate changes in the day. These were concrete ways of making routines easier to understand.

Support for speech and language included pairing objects with words and activities involving mouth movements. Leaders used funding for staff training and access to play therapists for children's emotional needs, and worked with local authority teams. A special educational needs coordinator was involved in supporting children with SEND.

Written updates reached parents through an online app, including learning targets and memorable achievements. Daily conversations with room staff provided another channel, but regular exchanges with each child's own key person needed strengthening. In November 2024, learning plans were tailored using staff observations, and children practised personal care and lunchtime tasks as part of preparing for school.

The address is Brooklands, Brooklands Way, Marston Green, Birmingham, B37 7HL.

In November 2024, opening hours were 7.30am to 5.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with Thursday closing at 5pm. The nursery operated across the year, closing for public holidays and a week at Christmas. At that time, it provided funded early education for children under two and those aged two, three and four.

• Contact with the key person. The November 2024 improvement action concerned regular, two-way conversations with each child's dedicated adult. This matters for continuity between nursery and home.
• Teaching oversight. In November 2024, leaders needed to use their monitoring more precisely to identify staff strengths and development priorities. Strong classroom practice still needed more systematic review.
• Your attendance plan. The November 2024 timetable included an earlier Thursday finish. What opening pattern and funded arrangements would apply to your child's booking now?

The November 2024 observations point to a fit for families who value communication-rich play and gradual independence. Signing, carefully chosen materials and respectful personal-care routines gave substance to that appeal at the inspection. The November 2024 picture was positive, with specific work still needed on teaching oversight and access to the key person. Those two points deserve weight alongside the strengths.