Norfolk House School Nursery Review

Songs, stories and purposeful play shape the early years at Norfolk House School. Its nursery class, called Transition, caters for children aged three to four within the lower school at 4 Norfolk Road, Edgbaston. This is the school’s own provision, distinct from the separately inspected Norfolk House Nursery next door.

The ISI inspection of 17 to 19 June 2025 found that early-years children progressed well and received encouragement from staff with training in teaching and supporting them. For parents, the useful detail is the combination of play, language development and growing independence.

Adult teaching and play both have a place. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children build communication, physical and social skills alongside their first steps in learning. Activities are adjusted to their interests and development, so the balance responds to what children can already do.

Language gets sustained attention. Singing, storytelling and rhymes introduce vocabulary, while adults use mathematical terms in conversation to develop early number understanding. Staff check children’s knowledge and address gaps. That connects enjoyable activities with specific learning needs.

Physical learning also serves a practical purpose. Activities develop both larger movements and the smaller hand movements needed for writing, including the grip between finger and thumb. Social learning is equally concrete: children practise listening, sharing resources and waiting for a turn. Increasing independence with classroom routines gives them responsibilities they can gradually manage themselves.

Emotional support begins as children join the lower school. Adults use encouragement and praise to help them handle feelings and build friendships; the June 2025 early-years findings describe children becoming confident, resilient and willing to try. Early-years staff also have paediatric first-aid training.

Parents receive a written progress report each term, with parents’ evenings in autumn and spring alongside informal communication. The SEND policy includes the EYFS and uses Assess-Plan-Do-Review, involving parents in planning and reviewing support. Individual Education Plans set out adjustments and review points where required. Formal professional assessments are paid for by parents, and additional learning support can carry agreed charges.

Social support. The June 2025 inspection recommended better help for a few pupils across the school who struggled with social interaction and managing emotions. This was a school-wide concern, separate from the positive early-years findings, and matters for families considering longer-term support.

Lunch is included in the termly fee structure. Milk carries an extra charge. Staff also work with families on children’s self-care and healthy eating habits, linking care routines with growing independence.

Transition attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. However, the February 2026 admissions policy distinguishes existing pupils progressing within the school from children applying to join it: existing pupils are outside its new-entry procedures. Progression is expected, conditional on behaviour, progress and the school remaining able to meet the child’s needs.

The separate Norfolk House Nursery business has different arrangements for entry to the school. Families choosing Transition should understand their child’s position as an existing school pupil rather than assume those external nursery arrangements apply.

The September 2025 fee schedule describes full-time Transition enrolment with 15 funded hours per week included. Fees are payable before each school term; trips and milk can be charged separately. Obtain current charges from the school.

Breakfast Club runs Monday to Friday, 7:30–8:30am, and After School Club runs 3:45–6:00pm. Neither requires advance booking, and both are billed termly after attendance. Breakfast Club includes a light breakfast. These options extend care around the school day.

To arrange a school tour, contact the office at info@norfolkhouseschool.co.uk or 0121 454 7021. Appointments can be arranged during the week, at weekends or in school holidays.