Balsall Common Primary School Nursery Review

Fortnightly swimming, a Teach Rex dinosaur visit and story-led play give this nursery a distinctive mix of physical activity and imagination. It is Balsall Common Primary School’s own nursery, on Balsall Street East in Balsall Common, rather than a separate childcare setting.

At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025, the school’s early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Learning has some memorable starting points. Teach Rex brings a dinosaur visit and imaginative play into the nursery curriculum, while Wild Wednesday is another named nursery experience. These give families concrete examples of learning beyond a table-top task.

Swimming begins in nursery, with a specialist teacher leading sessions fortnightly. The focus includes confidence in water, swimming skills and water safety, giving physical development a practical setting. In January 2025, many early years children were beginning swimming soon after starting school and learning to dress themselves for activities. Independence was part of the learning too.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning about the world with language, physical development, literacy, expressive arts and personal, social and emotional development. For parents, that means the nursery’s learning extends across talking, movement, creativity and relationships, rather than concentrating solely on early reading.

Books have a clear place. Nursery introduces Foundations of Phonics within Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. Each year group also has a weekly library visit, choosing a book to share at home from one of the school’s two libraries. This gives families a regular connection between nursery reading and stories together at home.

In January 2025, early years children sustained their attention, explored ideas through adults’ questions and acted out stories with friends. Outdoor exploration helped them learn to judge risks while trying adventurous activities. A new early years play area has since been completed, adding a concrete outdoor feature to this picture of learning through exploration.

Morning snacks are straightforward: nursery children receive crackers, with free vegetable or fruit snacks accessible during the day. Chilled drinking water is available throughout the day; children bring a bottle that can be refilled. The catering team accommodates allergies and other dietary requirements, so food arrangements include support for individual needs.

For additional learning needs, the school has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator supported by teaching assistants across the school. Families can contact the SEND team at s2send@balsall-common.solihull.sch.uk. That provides a direct contact route for discussing a child’s needs alongside their nursery experience.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Balsall Common Primary School follows Solihull local authority admissions procedures.

Keep the two applications distinct: nursery applications go directly to the school, while the later Reception application is a separate step. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the child’s nursery experience, rather than an assumption that their next place is secured.

Apply directly to the school for a nursery place using its nursery application form. General enquiries can be made through the contact form, by calling 01676 532 254 or by emailing office@balsall-common.solihull.sch.uk.

The school’s address is Balsall Street East, Balsall Common, Coventry, CV7 7FS. For current charges, contact the school directly.