Fordbridge Community Primary School Nursery

Songs, rhymes and stories give Fordbridge’s youngest children a starting point for learning to talk, listen and spend time together. The nursery provision includes two- and three-year-olds and operates within Fordbridge Community Primary School’s registration, on Crabtree Drive in Chelmsley Wood. Fordbridge Childcare Plus and the main school Nursery have separate application processes. The main Nursery offers 60 part-time places.

The Ofsted report dated January 2026 judged early years to meet the Expected standard. Provision for two- and three-year-olds was effective, with personal, social and emotional development a priority: learning how to interact with other children matters alongside preparation for later learning.

Language gives the early years curriculum its clearest direction. In January 2026, staff and children generally had productive conversations that helped develop communication, while songs, rhymes and storytelling encouraged an interest in books. Children learnt the daily routines quickly, helping them get on with activities in a calm atmosphere. These foundations combine learning to communicate with becoming comfortable in a group.

There is an important qualification. Opportunities to build language were not used consistently by every adult. Staff coaching was addressing this, and making better use of those opportunities remained an early years improvement action. For parents, the relevant question is how adults extend a child’s conversation during everyday activities.

The physical environment includes spaces in the Early Years rooms designed for children who need less sensory stimulation. Elsewhere in the school, Apollo contains a sensory room. These are specific adaptations for children whose learning benefits from a quieter setting.

In January 2026, children settled readily through staff working with families. For children joining with identified special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the school may adapt the settling period. Meetings with professionals already involved can agree strategies and support before the child starts.

Rest has a defined place in the day: the sleep period runs from 12:30pm to 2:15pm, with individual routines followed using parents’ guidance. Beds are spaced so adults can reach children, and supervision includes recorded checks every 15 minutes. Children are neither forced to sleep nor physically kept awake.

Parents participate in SEND Support Plan reviews each term, discussing progress and changes with the class teacher and special educational needs coordinator. That gives families a recurring opportunity to adjust support. Launch Pad, an intervention room, supports some children with autism or complex needs in Foundation Stage and Phase 1.

For full-day Childcare Plus care, the September 2019 offer included snacks and drinks during sessions, with families supplying a packed lunch. Ask the school for current charges.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor confers admission priority. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority by the published closing date. This applies to both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 admission cycles. A sibling attending the nursery unit does not create sibling priority either. Plan the Reception application separately from the nursery place.

Transition support is a different matter. For children with SEND changing classes, staff share information with the next teacher; a photo book can be made where it would help the child understand the move. Familiarity and preparation support the change, but do not determine admission.

The main Nursery morning session runs from 8:30am to 11:30am. Afternoon sessions also operate, and 30-hour wraparound places are limited. Apply to the main school office on 0121 779 8040 or email office@fordbridge.solihull.sch.uk.

Childcare Plus welcomes visits before application, arranged on 0121 779 8040, extension 3. Its funding model allows approved two-year funding and approved 30-hour three-year funding from the term after the relevant birthday; universal three-year funding allows admission from the term after the third birthday and does not require a funding application. Attendance at Childcare Plus gives no advantage when applying separately to the main Nursery.