Washwood Heath Nursery School: Nursery Review

A sensory garden, a mud kitchen and art projects give Washwood Heath’s nursery day a practical, exploratory character. Children learn through play, conversation and making things, with outdoor experiences extending beyond the school grounds to local parks and allotments.

This is a maintained nursery school in Ward End, Birmingham, rather than a nursery class within a primary school. Its provision welcomes children aged two to four. Early Years teachers, teaching assistants and a Forest School Leader work alongside a SENCo and practitioners focusing on communication and language. For families, the emphasis is on the early years themselves, followed by a move to another school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning, development and care. In everyday terms, planning starts with what interests children: staff observe their play and combine activities directed by adults with opportunities for children to pursue their own ideas. The Early Years Baccalaureate adds themes about identity, expression and how the world works, giving those investigations a broader context.

Forest School brings a concrete outdoor dimension. Children have opportunities to use the sensory garden and mud kitchen, visit local parks and explore the allotments on St. Margret’s Road. Waterproof clothing is provided; families send wellington boots and older clothes suitable for muddy activities. An artist in residence also works with children on continuing projects, giving them ways to express ideas through materials and images.

The October 2024 inspection found strengths in language development, early reading and mathematics, alongside enrichment through pottery, woodwork and music. Stories with repetition and rhyme, conversations with adults and new vocabulary give children several routes into communication. However, some activities chosen by children lacked enough learning direction, and engagement slipped. Purpose matters as much as choice.

Key workers provide a familiar relationship as children settle. In October 2024, children formed trusting bonds with these adults and settled promptly. Parents have a consultation with their child’s key person each term, while Tapestry lets families contribute examples of learning at home. This creates a connection between what children do at nursery and what matters to them outside it.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) includes individual work, visual prompts, choice boards and picture timetables. Small groups address communication needs, and a nurture group supports emotional wellbeing. Children learning English as an additional language receive preparation for activities and small-group support, alongside opportunities to use their home language.

Inclusion needs attention. In October 2024, some activities did not accommodate different ages and abilities sufficiently, including children with SEND; a few children also received too little adult attention. Families should weigh these concerns alongside the support methods described above. Safeguarding was assessed as effective at that inspection.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing this nursery and securing the next school place as separate decisions.

Preparation for the move includes recognising letters, identifying sounds in words and developing independence through routines. These are useful foundations for the next stage of learning. Families must still apply separately for Reception; nursery attendance does not guarantee a place.

Provision runs during term time. Nursery sessions include a 9am to 3pm pattern for children aged three to four using the 30-hour provision, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions run from 8.15am to noon, and afternoons from 12.30pm to 4.15pm, Monday to Thursday.

Daycare closure. Daycare ended in July 2023. From September 2023, the school offered funded places for two-, three- and four-year-olds, with eligibility required for two-year-olds. Extended provision continued between 8.15am and 4.15pm on Mondays to Thursdays. This distinction matters when arranging care around work.

The school describes 15-hour entitlement patterns using mornings, afternoons or blocks of days, and 30-hour provision for eligible working parents. Meals, nappies and trips may involve additional charges; refer to the school for current charges. General enquiries go to the office on 0121 464 1810 or enquiry@washwdhn.bham.sch.uk. Registration involves bringing the child’s passport or full birth certificate and parental address evidence. Tell staff beforehand if someone different will collect your child.