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Nursery at Hillstone Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Family stories, changing seasons and conversation give Hillstone’s nursery curriculum its character. Topics such as Why are leaves crispy? bring familiar experiences into learning, while the nursery’s place within Hillstone Primary School connects it to the school’s early years curriculum in Shard End, Birmingham.
The early years provision received a Good judgement from Ofsted following the inspection on 23 and 24 November 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The useful detail for parents is the balance between classroom language activities and an identified weakness outdoors.
Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In parent terms, that means developing movement, relationships and communication alongside early reading and writing, number work, creative expression and understanding the world. Play, exploration and trying out ideas are part of the approach. These are connected experiences rather than a miniature timetable of school subjects.
SHREC is the named approach used for adult interactions in early years. Hillstone aims to build children’s ability to express themselves through these exchanges, giving conversation a purposeful place within play and learning. Nursery topics include Once Upon a Time and Why are leaves crispy?, providing starting points for stories and discussion about seasonal change.
Art combines adult teaching with materials children can use within the learning environment. Early years children have access to creative tools indoors and outside, so expressing an idea can extend beyond a taught activity.
In November 2022, classroom activities supported children’s language development effectively, but outdoor learning gave them too few purposeful chances to practise speaking and develop language. Outdoor conversation. This was an early years improvement priority. For families, the distinction matters: access to outdoor learning and effective language teaching outdoors are separate considerations.
Support for additional needs involves class teachers and the school’s special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). Individual Learning Plans are checked at least once a term, with parents invited to reviews. This gives families a recurring opportunity to discuss targets and the support their child receives.
Children learning English as an additional language can receive an initial assessment of their language skills and tailored help where needed. Speaking another first language is treated separately from having a special educational need.
Across the school, Dining@Hillstone works with a rotating menu covering three weeks. Seasonal ingredients and produce from the school allotment feature in meals, and the catering team accommodates food intolerances. This is the wider school food provision; nursery session arrangements should be considered separately from the school lunch service.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Birmingham’s local authority route and meet the deadline for their application year.
For September 2026 entry, nursery attendance was the third oversubscription criterion, following looked-after or previously looked-after children and qualifying siblings. Distance decided priority within each category. This conferred a position in the allocation order, rather than a guaranteed offer.
For children with additional needs, transition support can include familiarisation visits, personalised booklets and extra visits where appropriate. These help children prepare for change; they are separate from admission priority.
Morning nursery sessions run from 08:40 to 11:30; afternoon sessions run from 12:30 to 15:30. The separate collection times matter when fitting nursery around work or another child’s school day.
Early years provision beyond that funded by the local authority may be charged for. Ask the school for current charges. General enquiries go to enquiry@hillstone.org.uk or 0121 675 3573, and a school visit can be arranged through the main office.
The morning session is 08:40 to 11:30, and the afternoon session is 12:30 to 15:30.
The EYFS brings together communication, movement, relationships, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and creative expression. Hillstone uses SHREC for adult interactions in early years.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the local authority. For September 2026 entry, nursery attendance was the third oversubscription criterion, with distance used within categories.
Parents are invited to Individual Learning Plan reviews, which take place at least termly with class teachers and the SENCO.
Email enquiry@hillstone.org.uk or telephone 0121 675 3573. School visits can be arranged through the main office.
