The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Garretts Green Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A Discovery Room for investigation, a Creative Room for making, and Forest School behind the nursery give Garretts Green its character: children have several ways to follow an interest. This is a local authority maintained nursery school in Sheldon, Birmingham, rather than a nursery department within a primary school. Its main provision serves three and four year olds, with most attending five morning or afternoon sessions each week.
Alongside the main nursery, a six-place Resource Base supports children with an Education Health and Care Plan. Qualified teachers, teaching assistants and higher level teaching assistants work within the staff team. For families, the distinctive combination is a nursery focused on early childhood with specialist provision on the same site.
Choice shapes much of a session. Children can move between activities during free flow play, while keyworker groups give them a smaller group to belong to. Exploration centres on the Discovery Room; expressive work has its own space in the Creative Room. Outdoor learning extends across the curriculum, and children also use the Sensory Room at designated points in the week.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning, development and care. Here, communication, physical skills and emotional and social development sit alongside early mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters also inform planning. Staff use observations and children's interests to decide what comes next, so activities can respond to the children taking part.
Language teaching has concrete substance. In July 2024, adults revisited vocabulary, encouraged longer spoken responses and used stories, songs and rhymes daily. Children practised hearing sounds in names and breaking words into syllables. Forest School adds safe tool use, while outdoor play gives children opportunities to balance, climb and run. Weekly Groovy Movers sessions combine movement, singing and following instructions. These are practical ways to develop both communication and physical confidence.
Each child has a keyworker who works with parents and colleagues to identify learning needs. Induction sessions introduce families to assessment, and Tapestry allows staff to share photographs, videos and observations; parents can contribute moments from home too. Consultations take place in October, March and at the year's end, followed by a written end-of-year report. Families therefore have several points for discussing progress beyond everyday conversations.
Specialist support includes a SENCo team and links with Speech and Language Therapy and Birmingham's Communication and Autism Team. The Resource Base has a separate entrance and a quieter setting with a structured timetable. Children join activities in the main nursery and can return to the base when needed. This gives participation a flexible shape rather than requiring children to stay in one environment.
In July 2024, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described precise support for children's individual needs. Techosaurus and Pantosaurus helped teach online and personal safety. Full-time children brought lunch from home at that time, so a packed lunch formed part of their day.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application for their chosen primary school through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing this nursery and securing a primary place as separate decisions.
Everyday independence provides useful preparation: in July 2024, children were learning to dress themselves and follow familiar routines. Those skills matter when moving to a new classroom, whatever primary school a child subsequently attends.
Morning sessions begin at 8:55am and finish at noon, except on Wednesday when collection is at 11:35am. Afternoons run from 12:25pm to 3:30pm, with a later Wednesday start of 12:55pm. The full-time session runs from 8:55am to 2:55pm. Wednesday therefore needs its own place in the family's timetable.
The nursery offers 15-hour places for three and four year olds and 30-hour places subject to government eligibility criteria. Morning or afternoon preferences cannot be guaranteed; full-time allocation depends on eligibility and vacancies. Applications can be downloaded or collected from the nursery and returned to the school office. Enquiries go to enquiry@garretts.bham.sch.uk or 0121 675 2284.
Uniform is optional. Children need covered-toe shoes, a coat and wellington boots for Forest School; named spare clothes help with messy play and accidents. If arrival is more than five minutes late, the gate is locked and families should use the main entrance.
The main nursery provides education and care for three and four year olds.
Full-time places are offered subject to eligibility and vacancies. The session runs from 8:55am to 2:55pm.
Staff share observations through Tapestry, which parents can also contribute to. Consultations are offered in October, March and at the end of the year, with a written report at year's end.
No. Families must apply separately for a place at their chosen primary school through the normal Reception admissions process.
No. Children may wear their own clothes or plain uniform items. Comfortable clothing, covered-toe shoes, a coat and Forest School wellington boots are the practical requirements.
