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Nursery at Nelson Mandela 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Songs, rhymes and stories from around the world give Nelson Mandela School’s early years provision its language-focused character. This is a part-time nursery within the primary school in Sparkbrook, where the school’s age range begins at three. It offers an introduction to school life built around speaking, listening and early learning.
The important qualification is educational. Ofsted’s inspection on 2 and 3 July 2024 graded early years provision Requires improvement. Language development had a clear emphasis, but the curriculum needed better organisation across its learning areas. Families should weigh both sides of that picture.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together children’s language, physical and personal development with early literacy, mathematics and learning about the world. Here, songs and rhymes sit alongside listening to stories and developing the spoken language children need to tell stories themselves. That gives the language emphasis a concrete shape.
Books have a physical place in the day: each class has a Reading Area and a small library. Little Wandle is the named phonics programme used in early years, while the mathematics approach includes practising counting and exploring number relationships and patterns. Gymnastics, dance and games feature in the foundation-stage PE curriculum, giving movement a place alongside language and number work.
Inspectors’ July 2024 assessment was more positive about literacy and mathematics: most children did well in both. Provision for children’s physical development and personal development also received a favourable assessment. Learning about the world was weaker. Many activities lacked a clear learning purpose, and learning did not develop in sufficiently ordered steps. Curriculum balance. The required changes included a better balance between activities directed by adults and those children choose themselves. For parents, the issue is how purposeful learning extends beyond the stronger language and number work.
Speech and language support had received investment by July 2024, responding to the limited communication skills many children brought into early years. This makes language support a relevant consideration for families whose children need help expressing themselves.
For children needing additional support with English, the curriculum uses Birmingham’s Access to Education Services’ Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening SEND Continuum. Needs are identified, often in EYFS, and the adapted curriculum focuses on key objectives. Parents can use this as a starting point for discussing their child’s learning needs.
Food arrangements also deserve attention when planning attendance. The school’s four-menu rotation includes curries, fish and yoghurt, with vegetarian and cultural needs considered. Its packed-lunch rules exclude nuts, sweets and crisps. These are practical constraints for families preparing food to bring into school.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the early years experience, rather than an assumption that the next school place is secured.
The School Info page gives a Monday-to-Friday morning nursery session of 8.55am to 11.55am. The collection guidance also refers to an afternoon nursery session, with registration at 12.05pm and collection at 3.30pm; it gives morning nursery registration as 8.35am. Timing differences. These instructions differ, so a family’s agreed session arrangements matter when planning drop-off.
Use the Nursery entrance. For another adult to collect regularly, parents must give written permission to the class teacher or office. General enquiries go to enquiry@nmandela.bham.sch.uk or 0121 772 3055.
Yes. Nelson Mandela School describes its nursery as part time.
The School Info page lists 8.55am to 11.55am, Monday to Friday. Separate collection guidance gives morning nursery registration as 8.35am, so the timing instructions differ.
Early years children learn songs and rhymes, listen to stories from around the world and develop speaking and listening so they can tell their own stories.
Early years provision was graded Requires improvement at the inspection on 2 and 3 July 2024. Curriculum organisation, the balance of activities and persistent absence in early years were concerns.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, and families must apply separately through the normal admissions process.
