E-ACT Nechells Academy Nursery Review

A morning of learning, with home time at 11.40am, gives this nursery its practical shape. E-ACT Nechells Academy has an onsite nursery with capacity for 26 children, taking children from the age of three. It sits within the primary academy on Eliot Street in Nechells, Birmingham. For families choosing a morning session, the timetable provides a clear boundary between nursery and the rest of the day.

Ofsted's December 2025 inspection judged the academy's early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Practical learning gives children something concrete to think and talk about. In December 2025, early years activities included measuring and comparing how heavy objects were, alongside opportunities to write for a purpose. These experiences developed early maths and communication: children used tasks to build understanding, rather than simply completing them.

Adult conversation matters here. Staff adjusted their language to children's ages and asked questions that encouraged further thinking and a broader vocabulary. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the emphasis described was on introducing knowledge through carefully selected activities. For parents, that means learning through both doing and talking, with adults helping children put their ideas into words.

Children participated confidently and persisted with tasks, working independently or with adult help. There was also a specific weakness: uneven letter formation was not consistently corrected in teaching. When adults spotted these errors, their intervention helped. Early writing. The December 2025 findings make consistent attention to letter formation an issue for families to keep in view as children begin writing.

Relationships begin before children start. Staff built connections with parents and carers ahead of entry, helping the move into early years feel easier. In December 2025, children settled promptly and felt secure through positive relationships with adults. Care routines took account of what children could already do and supported both independence and wellbeing, linking everyday care with growing confidence.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the academy uses preparation before new learning, targeted interventions and repeated practice. These are school-wide arrangements. The SENCO can meet parents to discuss progress or concerns, and information from outside professionals is discussed with families. An agreed Home-School Communication book may support contact where it would help the child and parent. This gives families a specific way to maintain communication about additional support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority in the normal admissions round, including those living outside the local area. Birmingham City Council is the application route signposted by the academy.

Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions. A nursery place should not be taken as confirmation of a later school place.

Sessions run from 8.40am to 11.40am every school day. The morning finish is the key consideration for organising the rest of a family's childcare day. School holidays and teacher training days also need to be included in that planning.

Nursery applications use a Nursery Application Pack, with the school office providing help to complete it. Contact the academy on 0121 464 2102 or email Nechells.Info@E-ACT.org.uk for admissions support. Families can also send an enquiry through the academy's online message form, which takes contact details, a subject and a message.