Holly Hill Methodist CofE Infant School Nursery Review

Language, early reading and learning to manage feelings give Holly Hill’s nursery its shape. Part of the infant school on New Street in Rubery, it follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with daily learning across physical, creative, social and language development as well as literacy and maths. The school’s Methodist and Church of England traditions also inform its teaching, including values such as patience, kindness and forgiveness.

Topics connect the learning here. The EYFS gives children opportunities to develop movement, communication and relationships alongside understanding the world, creative expression, reading and number skills. For parents, that means the curriculum addresses how children express themselves and interact with others as well as what they know. Holly Hill also revisits learning through its mastery approach, giving children further opportunities to practise skills and recall ideas.

Supersonic Phonic Friends is the school’s named reading and phonics programme. At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that early-years children began phonics from the start and that staff had successfully adjusted the programme for them. Adults also helped children develop their communication and personal skills. Early reading therefore sits alongside learning to talk and participate, rather than being the sole focus of these first school experiences.

Settling into routines was a strength of the early years in January 2023. Children became familiar with daily expectations quickly, supported by attentive care. That matters for a child beginning nursery: understanding what happens next is part of becoming comfortable with the day.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school’s support model starts with individual needs. Options include visual timetables, social stories and task boards to make activities and expectations easier to understand. Personalised work stations and calm down spaces are also among its support tools. These are options within the school’s SEND provision, with actual support tailored to the child.

Parents contribute to assessment and reviews through meetings with teaching and support staff, individual targets and One Page Profiles. SEND targets are reviewed at least three times a year, allowing families and staff to discuss whether support needs changing. Specialist routes include the Communication and Autism Team and Speech and Language Therapy Service, with parental consent required for the referrals described.

A separate application matters. Attending Holly Hill’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process by the relevant deadline. Choosing the nursery and obtaining a school place are separate decisions.

Transition support is a different question. For children with SEND moving between year groups, the school introduces the next teacher individually and, where needed, provides a photograph-based transition book for the holidays. Staff also discuss the change with the family and pass on information about helpful support. These measures prepare children for change; they do not determine admission.

Plan around the attendance pattern. In January 2023, nursery provision operated part time, Wednesday to Friday. That dated pattern matters when weighing nursery against a family’s working week.

Enquiries go through the school office on 0121 675 8700 or enquiry@hollyhill.bham.sch.uk; there is also a contact form. Families seeking SEND advice can arrange an appointment through the office.