Grove School Nursery Review

Play, conversation and growing independence give Grove's nursery its character. This is the school's own nursery provision in Handsworth, Birmingham, with entry from the term following a child's third birthday. Families can choose between two part-time attendance patterns, while full-time places depend on government eligibility.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that achievement in early years was very strong, with nursery activities engaging children and developing sustained attention and independence. Those findings give parents a useful picture of learning at that point, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Learning through play and exploration shapes the foundation stage curriculum. In parent terms, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here involves children discussing their ideas, asking questions, expressing feelings and learning to cooperate in group play. Outdoor learning extends those experiences beyond the classroom.

Handsworth beach gives the outdoor area a distinctive physical feature. In October 2023, it supported language development alongside other learning. Conversation therefore has a place outdoors as well as during group activities.

Language work also has a precise classroom form. Colourful Semantics uses pictures, coloured symbols and props to help nursery children understand questions about people, actions and places. Staff revisit these questions during stories, mat and chat sessions, and play. That gives children repeated opportunities to practise the same language in different contexts.

WELCOMM adds individual support where needed. Nursery children have their speaking, understanding and listening assessed in the autumn term; amber or red results lead to intervention. Practical games build vocabulary, with sessions delivered individually or in small groups according to the child's target. Adults carry those targets into everyday play, so practice continues beyond the intervention session.

Getting to know a child starts with information from families and other professionals. Early-years support includes nursery play-and-stay sessions, home-to-school visits and contact with previous settings. Physical needs can be identified at the induction meeting or through agencies contacting Grove before a child starts. These routes help staff plan support around the child.

For concerns about development or additional needs, the class teacher is the first contact, with the SENCO involved where necessary. The school's SEND arrangements include Individual Support Plans on Edukey, reviewed with parents each term. Foundation stage language workshops and stay-and-play sessions give families further ways to participate.

Daily routines have visual support: classroom timetables use pictures, while early-years staff carry Communication in Print cards to reinforce instructions. The school also uses Emotion Coaching to help children recognise feelings and work through problems with an adult.

At lunch, school supervisors' responsibilities include awareness of medically restricted diets and help with pouring drinks or cutting food when needed. Children with medical needs have care plans, with healthcare professionals involved for significant needs. The school's SEND policy also provides for teacher training and access to specialist advice.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under Grove's admission criteria. Families must apply separately through Birmingham City Council's online Reception process in the normal application round. The September 2025 admission policy lists looked-after or previously looked-after children, siblings and distance as the oversubscription criteria; a child whose EHCP names Grove has a separate entitlement to admission.

Support for change is a different matter from securing a place. For children needing additional help when moving year groups, Grove can hold Person Centred Reviews with parents and pupils. This is transition planning, not an admissions advantage.

Part-time attendance follows one of two patterns: Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday. Full-time places are conditional on meeting government eligibility; the admissions page links this to 30 hours of funded childcare. These fixed patterns matter when fitting nursery around work and other care.

Nursery application forms can be downloaded from Grove's admissions page. Enquiries go through the school on 0121 464 4669 or enquiry@grove.bham.sch.uk. Grove's uniform rules apply to all pupils, and clothing with the school logo is optional. Administrative staff can help families access donated second-hand uniform.