Brierley Hill Primary School Nursery

Storytelling, conversation and imaginative play give Brierley Hill’s morning nursery its character. For three-year-olds, this is an introduction to school life centred on language and early learning, within Brierley Hill Primary School on Mill Street. The session runs from 8:30am to 11:30am, leaving the afternoon outside the nursery day.

The nursery sits within the school’s early years provision. Its curriculum uses CUSP Early Foundations, bringing adult teaching together with practical exploration. The emphasis is concrete: children hear stories, try out words, make things and learn alongside other children.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together communication, relationships, physical development and early subject learning. Here, CUSP Early Foundations gives that learning a sequence: introduce an idea, teach it, let children explore it through activities and play, then return to it through stories and discussion. Play has a purpose. It gives children opportunities to use what they have just encountered.

Books anchor much of the work. Structured story sessions include vocabulary teaching, retelling and role-play, so children can practise listening and expressing ideas. Little Wandle is the early years phonics programme, while White Rose Maths organises number learning into manageable steps. Counting and recognising numbers sit alongside practical problem-solving rather than only paper tasks.

Movement also contributes to learning. Outdoor activities develop balance and larger movements; mark-making and hands-on tasks work on finer control. PE coaches contribute physical literacy sessions across early years. Painting, construction and modelling give children further ways to experiment, while music and pretend play make room for expression. The school also provides a reading corner in each classroom, giving books a physical place in the learning environment.

Communication support has a named starting point: Wellcomm. Early years staff use this language assessment and associated interventions to identify and support speech and communication needs. That gives families a specific route into discussion about a child’s language development.

The school’s SEND approach combines adjustments to teaching with support that is planned, reviewed and changed as needs develop. Visual prompts, flexible groups and extra adult help are among the options. Speech and Language Therapists and Educational Psychologists can contribute specialist advice. Parents are involved through conversations and termly reviews of individual plans where appropriate.

Food arrangements need to be understood in the context of the morning session. Shires Catering supplies the school’s lunchtime meals, with choices including vegetarian food and jacket potatoes; this is the wider school lunch service. A separate Food Allergies Form gives families a way to record a child’s allergy. The school also participates in Operation Encompass, through which safeguarding leads receive police information about domestic incidents affecting children so staff can respond with support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Brierley Hill Primary School. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. For residents of Dudley Borough, the route is Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate steps.

Transition support addresses familiarity with the next classroom, rather than admission entitlement. The school’s SEND information report for 2024–2025 describes a summer parent session, home visits and classroom taster opportunities. Additional visits can be arranged for children who need more help with the change, with involvement from the SENDCo or a familiar member of staff.

The morning session runs from 8:30am until 11:30am. The school describes the universal funded entitlement as 15 hours each week for three-year-olds, beginning in the term following their third birthday. This gives families a clear starting point for the nursery pattern.

To apply, complete the online Nursery Application Form. Staff then contact the family to organise a visit and a chance to meet the team. General enquiries can go to info@brierley.dudley.sch.uk or 01384 816980.

Uniform expectations begin in morning nursery. Branded clothing is optional, supermarket alternatives are accepted, and the school office supplies pre-loved uniform. These choices give families flexibility when preparing for the first session.