William Murdoch Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, sound work and practical counting give William Murdoch’s nursery its character. This is the school’s own provision in Handsworth, Birmingham, with children starting from age three and attending morning or afternoon sessions. It sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), rather than operating as a separate nursery provider.

Ofsted rated early years provision Good at the inspection on 21 and 22 June 2022. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Language gets sustained attention. The EYFS curriculum combines seven learning areas with opportunities to explore through play, persevere with activities and think through ideas. In parent terms, learning includes how children communicate and relate to others as well as what they know. New vocabulary is introduced, demonstrated and returned to, giving children repeated opportunities to use unfamiliar words.

Read Write Inc. provides the nursery’s named phonics approach. Daily stories and reading aloud sit alongside this work on sounds, so books remain part of the routine as well as a route into reading. The school library, developed with Peters, is accessible to all pupils; classes have a weekly slot to explore books and select something to read at home.

Practical learning matters too. In June 2022, the youngest children took part in number activities using objects, enjoyed rhymes and songs, and helped put their learning space in order afterwards. These are small but useful steps towards participating in a group and taking responsibility for shared resources.

The 2025–26 music plan includes Sound Tots, taught by specialists from Birmingham Music Hub. Movement, percussion and musical games give children ways to explore rhythm and pitch through their bodies and simple instruments.

Settling depends on the relationship with home. In June 2022, staff established productive contact with parents early on, and the youngest children settled confidently, forming positive relationships with adults and one another. The nursery staffing structure includes a teacher whose responsibilities also cover EYFS coordination and SEN coordination, alongside nursery teaching assistants. That connects classroom teaching with the school’s additional-needs provision.

For children needing extra support, the school follows a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents contribute to the plans and reviews. Adaptations can include visual timetables, more time to process language and changes to resources. Families can contact the class teacher or SENCo through Class Dojo, or arrange a meeting through the office.

Physical access has a concrete feature here: the accessibility plan identifies an accessible toilet in the nursery area. Free fruit is provided at morning break for EYFS children, giving the morning session a food routine alongside learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process, with Reception enquiries directed to Birmingham Admissions & Appeals. Birmingham City Council is the school’s admission authority. Treat that application as a separate task when planning the next stage.

Support with change is distinct from admission. For children with SEND, the school can provide extra transition visits, a phased start or materials tailored to the child where additional help is needed. These arrangements support continuity of care; they do not secure a place.

Morning nursery runs from 8.30am until 11.30am; the afternoon session starts at 12.30pm and finishes at 3.30pm. Use these nursery times when planning collection, since the timetable distinguishes them from the other year groups.

The nursery uniform includes a sweatshirt in navy and gold, a white polo shirt and navy jogging trousers. Ask the school for current uniform charges.

Visits can be arranged through the Main Office. For nursery enquiries, call 0121 554 0999, email enquiry@williammurdoch.bham.sch.uk or use the school’s contact form. A visit gives families an opportunity to discuss their child’s needs before choosing the provision.