Windy Arbor Primary School Nursery

Rhymes, stories and conversation give Windy Arbor's nursery its clearest character. The spring theme, Time for a Rhyme, combines planned reading with texts prompted by children's interests, giving their own fascinations a place in learning. This is the nursery within Windy Arbor Primary School, on Woodlands Way in Chelmsley Wood.

In March 2026, Ofsted judged the school's early years provision to meet the expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Language runs through the learning. Under Time for a Rhyme, children join in songs, explore stories and practise recognising rhyme and repeated initial sounds. Alongside the planned books and poems, their interests influence other reading choices. That gives adults something personally meaningful to talk about with each child.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the curriculum framework. In March 2026, activities had defined learning purposes and children generally made good progress across early years. Songs, rhymes and exchanges with adults supported vocabulary development. There was a clear limitation, however: some adult interactions stopped short of extending children's language and understanding sufficiently. Developing staff expertise in these conversations was an improvement priority.

Earlier nursery activities show how stories have connected with practical exploration. In March 2021, The Colour Monster supported conversations about emotions, while The Invisible String was planned to prompt discussion of personal connections and drawings of someone children felt connected to. Outdoor plans included planting vegetables in the nursery vegetable patch and adding herbs to the green house for tasting and pretend cooking in the mud kitchen. These were concrete ways to connect new vocabulary with plants, feelings and familiar relationships.

Settling was a positive feature in March 2026: younger children adjusted quickly to Nursery Year, and caring relationships with staff helped them feel secure. Before children started, leaders and families discussed difficulties affecting learning or wellbeing, allowing support to begin early. For parents, that makes the initial conversation about their child's needs consequential.

Support also has a practical contact route. Families can reach the school's special educational needs coordinator or assistant coordinator by calling 0121 7798080 and selecting option 4.

For emotional health and wellbeing concerns, the Early Help Form goes directly to the safeguarding team. The team aims to respond within 2-3 working days, giving families a defined route for requesting help.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the normal deadline. Treat that application as a distinct decision and process, even if your child already feels settled at Windy Arbor. Familiarity with the nursery does not itself secure the next place.

The school office is the enquiry contact: telephone 01217798080 or email office@windy-arbor.solihull.sch.uk. The address is Woodlands Way, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, B37 6RN. Use the office contact for a nursery enquiry; use the SEND telephone option when discussing additional needs.