Kings Norton Nursery School: play, language and muddy wellies

A log cabin for the youngest children, Morning Maths and weekly Forest School give Kings Norton Nursery School a distinctive daily rhythm. This is a local authority nursery school on Westhill Road in Birmingham, providing early education for children aged two to four before primary school. It remains a separate school within its federation with Highters Heath Nursery School.

The usual new-year allocation comprises 26 full-time places for three- and four-year-olds, 52 part-time places for that age group and 26 part-time places for two-year-olds. Those are typical allocations, rather than a promise of a vacancy. The team includes qualified teachers, a qualified SEND coordinator and early years practitioners.

Play has a clear teaching purpose. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) links language, movement and relationships with early reading, number, creative work and discovering the world. Birth to Five Matters informs the curriculum. Children choose activities, while adults use conversation and demonstrations to extend their ideas.

For three- and four-year-olds, exploration leads into Group Time, Morning Maths and a shared snack. Groups alternate between indoor activities and the Nursery Garden, with adult-led learning, staggered lunches and an afternoon phonics session. A story brings the day towards its close. Two-year-olds use the log cabin, with Wake up, Shake up, songs, Circle Time and outdoor play shaping their routine.

Forest School takes place once a week during the nursery day. Den building, the mud kitchen and bug hunts give children practical reasons to explore, cooperate and manage their clothing. Waterproof outfits are supplied; families bring wellies. The school allotment adds fruit, vegetables and herbs to the learning environment.

Language teaching is specific. At the October 2023 inspection, adults helped some children test the stability of brick towers through discussion, while supporting others with repeated vocabulary and gestures. That makes the same activity accessible at different stages of communication.

Before starting, children visit with their parents to become familiar with the setting. In October 2023, children were settled, relationships with adults were strong and safeguarding was effective. These findings concern the nursery school's children directly.

A child's key worker contributes to reviews of their progress, alongside support staff and the SEND coordinator. Progress is assessed termly. For children with SEND, parent consultations take place twice a year to discuss progress towards individual targets. An employed speech and language therapist works regularly with children, families and staff. Emotion Coaching helps children recognise feelings and work through the behaviour associated with them.

Evidence Me shares photographs and developmental updates, and parents can contribute experiences from home. Arbor handles general communication. This gives families ways to follow learning beyond conversations with staff.

Snack includes milk, fruit and toast. Lunchboxes must exclude nuts and are kept refrigerated; food cannot be reheated. Eligible children can receive a freshly prepared packed lunch through Free School Meals. Breakfast Club offers toast or cereal, with optional fruit and milk, while After School Club provides a light meal and drink from 4pm.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process for their chosen primary school, meeting its deadline.

Ready, Steady Reception focuses on the skills and confidence children need for primary school, with skill grids for families to use at home. That preparation concerns readiness for the next stage; it does not secure admission.

Part-time attendance follows either Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday. Full-time Blue and Yellow groups attend Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm. Part-time groups receive 15 hours weekly; full-time groups receive 30. A Wednesday top-up lets part-time three- and four-year-olds attend three full days.

Provision operates in term time. Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9am and accepts two-year-olds; after-school clubs require children to have turned three. Collection times. After School Club information gives a 5pm finish, while the opening-times page gives 5.30pm. Confirm the booked finish before arranging collection. Families needing to collect children from another school or nursery by 3pm can request consistent 2.30pm collection by notifying the office.

Funded provision includes 15 hours for eligible two-year-olds and all three- and four-year-olds, with 30-hour places for eligible three- and four-year-olds. Relevant childcare codes require renewal every three months. Extra hours and clubs are charged, with an additional food charge when funded hours cover out-of-hours care; School Fund contributions are voluntary. Ask the school for current charges.

Uniform is optional. Easily managed clothes support independence, and a waterproof coat and labelled wellies support outdoor play. Arrange a visit through the office on 0121 675 3993 or enquiry@kingsnorton-nursery.bham.sch.uk.