Billesley Primary School Nursery Review

Nursery rhymes, conversation and movement give Billesley's youngest children their starting point. Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics begins in Nursery with stories and rhymes, while the early years curriculum puts spoken language and growing independence centre stage. This is the nursery within Billesley Primary School in south Birmingham, with entry from age three.

In May 2025, Ofsted found that children across the early years were doing well, with plentiful learning resources and staff who concentrated closely on communication. Adults demonstrated vocabulary carefully, helping children develop the language they need for their next learning steps. These findings cover early years collectively.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the curriculum framework. Billesley aims to help children think creatively, make decisions independently and sustain their concentration. Learning builds in planned steps, with adults observing children and adjusting what comes next. For a parent, the practical emphasis is on learning that responds to their child's development.

Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics makes rhymes and story time the starting point for early reading skills. Phonics also runs through the wider early years curriculum, giving children opportunities to use what they are learning beyond a separate activity. Conversation matters throughout: practitioners model language and use their observations to plan further learning.

Maths combines teaching in family groups with activities children initiate themselves. Adults assess understanding through observation and conversations about learning. Practical, physical maths experiences include outdoor learning, linking ideas with activity rather than relying only on work at a table.

Movement also starts the writing journey. Nursery children develop larger movements through climbing, crawling, jumping and running before progressing towards finer pencil control. Play supports interaction and talk, followed by making marks that carry meaning. The school has extensive grounds and outdoor facilities; these are school facilities, rather than a description of a separate nursery garden.

Settling begins with contact between home and school. In September 2020, the school described a key-worker home visit, a school meeting and parent-and-child taster sessions during the latter half of the summer term before a September start. That sequence gives children and parents several opportunities to become familiar with school life.

Parents' knowledge of their children informs early years planning. The wider school inclusion team includes a SEND coordinator, an inclusion lead and family support, with links to Speech and Language Therapy and Educational Psychology. This gives families several routes into discussions about additional needs.

Catering is managed by the school with support from Catering Management Consultants. A kitchen and dining room introduced in September 2016 support the school lunch service.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process by its deadline.

Familiarity and admission are separate matters. In September 2020, the school described transition meetings, information leaflets and taster sessions in the new class. These help children prepare for a change of classroom; they do not secure a place.

For nursery enquiries, telephone 0121 675 2800. Billesley Primary School is on Trittiford Road, Billesley, Birmingham, B13 0ES.

The school dress code includes purple logo jumpers, cardigans or fleeces, white logo polo shirts and black lower garments. Uniform can be bought through the school office or Clive Marks in Kings Heath. Second-hand or free uniform can be requested through the office or pastoral team, giving families another way to obtain school clothing.