St John's CofE Primary School Nursery

Morning learning and a Christian ethos give this nursery its character. Nursery children join St John's CofE Primary School on Stratford Road in Sparkhill, Birmingham, with the usual September entry falling in the academic year when they turn four. The school aims to welcome children of any faith and help them understand beliefs different from their own.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 3 and 4 June 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery inspection.

Topics connect children's learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In plain parent language, this means using a common theme to develop skills and interests across different areas of learning, rather than treating each activity as an isolated lesson. St John's uses these themes to bring learning together from its earliest stage.

Story choice gives children a practical say in their day. In June 2025, early years children voted for the story they wanted to hear, turning an everyday activity into an introduction to making collective decisions. Early reading also had clear momentum: children began learning quickly, and those needing extra help were identified promptly. These findings concern early years as a whole.

The morning has defined handover windows. Staff prepare resources between sessions, so punctual collection protects that preparation time as well as keeping the next session's attention on children.

Support sits within the school's inclusion structure. Staff work with families over additional needs, and children may receive help from the Inclusion team. Specialist advice can come from Occupational Therapy, Educational Psychology, Pupil and School Support, and the Communication and Autism team. This gives families several routes of expertise within the school's support arrangements.

Relationships with parents were strong from early years in June 2025. For families facing pressures beyond learning, St John's also offers confidential support over difficulties including bereavement, housing problems and family breakdown. Parents can request an appointment with the Senior Leadership Team by phone or email.

A team of Designated Safeguarding Leads handles welfare concerns. The school also participates in Operation Encompass, receiving confidential information from West Midlands Police after reported domestic abuse incidents so staff can support affected children and families.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Birmingham's online local authority process; the nursery application goes directly to the school. Treat these as two distinct decisions.

For September Reception entry, the local authority application allows families to name three schools. Keep that application separate from conversations about joining nursery: familiarity with St John's does not secure a place in its next year group.

Drop-off runs from 8.40 to 8.50, with collection between 11.30 and 11.40. These are ten-minute windows, so families need a morning routine that fits both.

Children wear their own clothes with a royal blue school-logo hoodie, sold by Clive Marks Schoolwear. Nursery applications use the school's Admission form, and the office can explain the process on 0121 675 1469. General enquiries can also go to enquiry@st-johns-pri.bham.sch.uk.

For daytime access, use the Stratford Road entrance. Its gate has a buzzer and camera, allowing office staff to check who is requesting entry before admitting them.