The Orchards Primary Academy Nursery Review

A celebration song and certificate mark a small but meaningful milestone at The Orchards: children in Pre-Academy collect stickers, with a celebration when their reward card reaches five. Encouragement is part of the session. The emphasis is on learning how to listen, care for belongings and treat other children kindly.

This is the nursery provision within The Orchards Primary Academy on Rhayader Road in Northfield, Birmingham. The school also has Pre-School provision. Its early education funding starts from the term following a child's third birthday, placing these first experiences within a primary school setting.

Kindness, listening and looking after things give Pre-Academy children a clear set of expectations. Staff use praise during the session, while the sticker cards give children a concrete way to recognise their achievements. These are simple routines for children beginning to learn alongside others.

In October 2024, the early years curriculum was taught effectively, with reading given priority and creative work involving artists and collage. The findings covered early years across the school. They offer a picture of learning that combines early reading with making and exploring ideas, rather than a nursery-only judgement.

The wider school grounds include a pond, an Anderson shelter and a Forest Classroom. These are features of the school site; they should not be taken as a description of the nursery's daily outdoor routine.

Teaching assistants take children's key person roles in Pre-Academy. Before starting, families are encouraged to familiarise their child with the adults who can help them. Settling support includes exploring the setting and getting to know other children, so the first steps involve both people and surroundings.

An All about me poster goes home for families to complete together. It gives staff a starting point for understanding the individual child. In October 2024, relationships between early years staff and children were strong, and children were learning to treat one another kindly.

Parents and children also joined creative activities at an EYFS Christmas workshop on 1 December 2022. That is a dated example of families taking part in learning together, rather than a promise of a regular event.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year.

For September 2023 entry, applications went through Birmingham City Council, online or using its preference form. That cycle prioritised looked after or previously looked after children, then qualifying siblings, then children living nearest the academy. Within each category, children living nearest had priority, measured in a straight line between home and the academy front gate. Nursery attendance was not one of those criteria. Families applying for a later year should use that year's arrangements.

The timetable accompanying the 2019–2020 term dates gives Nursery hours of 9am to 3.20pm and a Pre-Academy morning session of 9am to 11.55am. These are historical timings, so they are a planning reference rather than confirmation of the current booking pattern.

Children qualify for the school's early education funded place from the term after turning three. Nursery enquiries can go to enquiry@opa.greenheartlearning.org or the school office on (0121) 464 4302.