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Nursery at Highfield 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Growing food, choosing play indoors or outside, and returning to a familiar key person give Highfield’s nursery day its character. This is a maintained nursery school in its own right, on Highfield Road in Saltley, Birmingham. Its nursery provision offers up to 112 full-time-equivalent places for children aged nine months to four years. That is a capacity measure, rather than a count of children attending.
Specialist early years teachers work alongside teaching assistants within a staff team of 20. For families, the defining combination is teaching expertise and substantial time for children to pursue their own interests.
A session has a clear rhythm. Children begin with their key person and spend 15 minutes together planning their learning. A 90-minute stretch of play follows, with children choosing activities inside and outdoors. Another 15-minute gathering brings food, songs, stories and reflection. Group time gives the session a shared beginning and ending; the longer middle allows children to follow an idea.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning across seven areas. In parent language, the approach combines children’s own play with experiences led by adults. Book making, block construction, colour mixing and woodwork are among the core activities. Most core experiences recur daily, so children can revisit an activity as their skills develop rather than encounter it just once.
Outside, the mud kitchen, balance bikes, greenhouse and growing areas offer different ways to explore and move. Gardening also connects to food: children pick produce, prepare it and eat together. Shopping, cooking and caring for plants and living creatures bring everyday tasks into learning. These experiences give children practical things to investigate, discuss and attempt for themselves.
Each family has a named key person, who supports the child through the day and exchanges information with parents. Before starting, families are offered an induction meeting, sometimes accompanied by a home visit. Parents then meet their child’s key person each term to discuss development and agree the next learning steps. Tapestry lets families contribute examples of learning at home, linking those conversations to life beyond nursery.
Hot food comes from caterers specialising in education settings. Fruit is offered as a daily snack, water can be accessed throughout the day, and adults supervise eating and drinking. Rest, sleep, washing, changes of clothing and nappy care form part of the daily routine. Care is woven into the session.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), support can include visual schedules, Makaton and WellComm language screening. Additional adult support, small groups and individual work are offered where possible. Parents participate in reviews and planning, and permission is sought before outside professionals become involved. This gives families a role in shaping support, alongside the key person and SEND team.
Attending nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Choosing Highfield for nursery should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience itself.
During the summer term, staff work with nearby primary schools on transition. For children with SEND, this can involve inviting staff from the receiving school to observe the child and sharing plans with parental consent. Photographs of the new school and visits, where possible, help children prepare for the change. This preparation is separate from the allocation of a school place.
The 15-hour weekly provision can be taken through morning sessions, afternoon sessions or blocked days. Eligible working parents can access 30 hours weekly. The school also describes funded places for eligible two-year-olds, with eligibility checked after a Nursery Admissions Form is completed.
Additional costs. Meals, nappies and trips may involve extra charges. Contact the school for current charges before agreeing your arrangement.
Care beyond sessions. Before-school care runs from 8:00 to 9:00 and after-school care from 15:00 to 16:00, subject to demand. Families relying on these hours need an arrangement that meets that condition.
Morning collection is between 11:20 and 11:30 to protect the closing group activity. Term dates include holiday breaks and additional training closures. Visits are welcomed; enquiries can be made through the electronic form, by calling 0121 675 4617 or by emailing enquiry@hifieldn.bham.sch.uk.
The nursery provision offers places for children aged nine months to four years, with capacity for up to 112 full-time-equivalent places.
Families are offered a pre-entry induction meeting, sometimes a home visit, and a named key person. Staff and parents work together on settling.
Hot meals are supplied by education caterers, alongside daily fruit snacks and water throughout the day. Eating and drinking are supervised. Meals may involve an additional charge.
Yes. The 15-hour provision can be taken as mornings, afternoons or blocked days. Eligible working parents can access 30 hours a week.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. Transition work with primary schools helps prepare children for the move and does not guarantee admission.
