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Nursery at Cherry Oak School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Acorns gives Cherry Oak’s youngest children a named early years base within a specialist school. The class covers ages three to five and follows an adapted Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Cherry Oak serves children with severe learning difficulties and difficulties with speech, language and communication in Selly Oak, Birmingham. All children have an education, health and care plan, so individual needs are central to understanding this provision.
Ofsted graded early years provision Good following its inspection on 5 and 6 March 2024; no nursery-age children were enrolled at that time. That qualification matters: the early years judgement should not be read as a direct assessment of an occupied nursery class.
An adapted Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is the starting point for Acorns. The school’s curriculum aims connect learning with everyday participation: communicating needs, making sense of visual information and developing the ability to solve problems. For a parent, these are practical priorities, with learning directed towards skills a child can use beyond a lesson.
Across Cherry Oak, educational experiences are planned around children’s developmental level and individual needs. Its curriculum approach is called Exploring Connections. This school-wide context helps explain the emphasis on communication and functional skills, while Acorns has its own early years curriculum.
The school’s lunchtime arrangements also make daily routines part of learning. Children are encouraged to choose food and practise independence at the table. Outdoors, the school has space for activities including cycling and swings. These are school facilities and routines, rather than a separate nursery timetable.
Starting early years involves support for families as well as children. In March 2024, staff took time over this transition, helping establish relationships with parents and carers. An Early Years and Key Stage 1 Lead oversees provision, assessment and curriculum across those departments.
Family support has a defined team structure. A Family Support Worker handles Early Help and regular contact with families, while the Strategic Pastoral Manager coordinates family support and contact with outside professionals, including specialist nurses. These roles give families routes for raising concerns beyond classroom learning.
CityServe manages the school kitchen. Lunch includes a hot meal, vegetarian choices and fruit or yoghurt options. Class teams work alongside lunchtime supervisors, with support for washing hands and personal care. Packed lunches are permitted, and food containing nuts must stay out of lunchboxes and snack boxes. Mealtimes therefore combine eating with opportunities to practise everyday care and independence.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should confirm Reception placement arrangements with the local authority. Cherry Oak’s admissions route requires a local authority referral; the school then contacts parents to arrange admission. For this specialist provision, planning the next placement belongs with the local authority rather than assuming nursery attendance settles it.
Cherry Oak is at 60 Frederick Road, Birmingham, B29 6PB. Contact the school office on 0121 464 2037 or email enquiry@cherryoak.bham.sch.uk for enquiries. Meal payments use ParentPay; contact the office for current charges and payment information. Transport for eligible pupils is provided through BCC Travel Assist, so eligibility is a condition of that arrangement.
Acorns is Cherry Oak’s early years class, covering ages three to five.
It follows a modified Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.
No. Confirm Reception placement arrangements with the local authority. Cherry Oak’s published admission route requires a local authority referral.
CityServe manages the kitchen, with a hot midday meal and vegetarian options. Packed lunches are allowed, but lunchboxes and snack boxes must contain no nut products.
Call 0121 464 2037 or email enquiry@cherryoak.bham.sch.uk.
