Calshot Primary School Nursery Review

Digging for creatures, making playdough self-portraits and writing notes in the home corner give Calshot’s nursery its character: learning starts with things children can handle, explore and talk about. There are 52 places across two part-time classes at Calshot Primary School in Great Barr, Birmingham. The early-years accommodation adjoins the original junior building, placing the nursery within the school site.

Sessions combine activities guided by adults with play children choose themselves and time outdoors. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning, development and care together; Development Matters guides work on language, relationships, movement, early literacy and number, alongside understanding the world and creative expression. In practice, children learn through purposeful play, combining activities led by adults with activities they initiate themselves.

Inside, a large learning space has planned activity areas and a home corner. Outside, a dedicated learning area supports weekly exploration: children dig in mud, search for small creatures and investigate seasonal changes. Freezing and melting water make winter a practical science experience. Later, watering flowers and bulbs gives children responsibility for living things.

Getting to Know You begins with family photographs and self-portraits made through painting, collage and playdough. What a Wonderful World! explores homes, places and people who help others; Animals and Growing introduces animal care and life cycles. Once children are happy and settled, the spring programme introduces weekly PE using bean bags, hoops and balls to develop movement and coordination; changing into kit provides practice in managing clothes independently.

Master the Curriculum structures number work through matching, sorting, patterns and small quantities. Summer brings a nursery introduction to Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS), with one sound each week and letter practice in sand or on large paper. Rhymes, books and conversations run alongside these activities, giving children several ways to develop listening and early writing.

In February 2023, Ofsted identified purposeful structured activities in the early years and children choosing activities connected to the sound being taught. Curriculum continuity and reading practice. At that date, links between early-years learning and subsequent teaching needed clearer planning in some subjects; some pupils beginning to read also needed more opportunities to rehearse taught skills. These are useful points for families to consider alongside the nursery’s practical curriculum.

Settling begins with induction sessions and an All About Me! booklet, giving staff information about each child’s interests and preferences. Adults spend time playing and talking with children before introducing Benjamin Bear, who models kindness, helpfulness and safety. A daily Star of the Day sticker and certificate recognise positive choices.

Once children have settled, the nursery teacher checks every child’s speech and language using WellComm. This helps identify those who need additional language activities. The school’s inclusion arrangements bring together the SENDCo, class teachers and a phase leader covering Nursery and Reception; parents are informed about additional provision for their child. Nursery classrooms and play areas are level and wheelchair accessible.

Fruit or vegetables are provided for early-years children, and nursery children receive fresh milk through the school’s milk scheme until the end of the term in which they turn five. Snack discussions cover food choices, handwashing and dental care. For parents, Friday newsletters arrive through ParentMail and the website, with teacher appointments available between scheduled consultations.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Birmingham’s local authority, following the normal application process and deadline. Nursery applications go directly to the school; joining the nursery does not replace the later application.

Preparation is a separate matter. The nursery’s summer leaflet describes conversations about each child’s next school and opportunities to meet the new teacher for children continuing at Calshot. For children with SEND, the school’s transition arrangements include individual teacher introductions, class visits and photograph books to revisit during the holidays.

The 2025–2026 brochure lists morning nursery sessions from 08:40 to 11:40 and afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30. These are part-time classes. Nursery application forms come from the school office, and prospective families can arrange visits, including alternatives to the autumn visiting period. Contact enquiry@calshot.bham.sch.uk or 0121 675 1059.

The school uniform includes a red sweatshirt or cardigan, a white polo shirt and grey or black bottoms, with black shoes. Label clothing to help recover lost items. Nursery children are handed over to parents at collection; contact the school if delayed. Repeated late collection can result in transfer to the before and after school club and a charge to parents.