Brandhall Primary School Nursery Review

A large outdoor space and a term of Forest School give Brandhall’s nursery a clear emphasis on active learning. Children aged three and four learn through play and adult-led activities, with indoor and outdoor experiences forming part of the provision. This is the school’s own nursery, with places beginning in the term following a child’s third birthday.

Term-time attendance can follow a split-week pattern, five shorter days or three extended days, subject to the conditions attached to each option. That gives families several ways to organise the nursery week around their childcare needs.

Play and teaching work alongside each other. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum covers seven learning areas through activities children choose and experiences adults lead. Staff use conversation to develop children’s ideas and introduce further skills. For parents, the practical distinction is that play is part of the learning, rather than simply a break between lessons.

Outdoor learning has room to spread out: the nursery has a large outdoor space, and children participate in Forest School for one term during the academic year. Indoors and outdoors, active exploration is central to the approach.

Ofsted’s inspection on 10 and 11 April 2024 found that children in early years made a good start, with learning shaped around their interests and existing knowledge. Its examples included a farm shop for practising conversation and counting, sand and magnetic letters for exploring sounds, and a mud kitchen and water tray for weighing and taking turns. These findings concern early years across the school, rather than a separate nursery judgement.

Settling begins before the first session. The EYFS administrator contacts families with induction arrangements, and the nursery provides preparation resources covering toileting, toothbrushing and getting ready for nursery. Arbor carries parent correspondence and lets families update their contact information. There is also a route to the school’s SENCO through the office for discussions about additional needs.

Toileting expectations. Children are expected to manage daytime toileting independently. Regular nappy changing is supported only where there is a diagnosed developmental or medical condition; otherwise, a child still wearing nappies at induction has their start deferred. Occasional accidents are recognised. This condition matters when deciding whether the proposed start date suits your child.

Lunch can be brought from home or provided hot by the on-site catering team, which can accommodate dietary requirements. Hot meals are charged, but children whose Early Years Pupil Premium eligibility has been confirmed can receive them free after the required form is completed. For children attending breakfast club, choices include fruit, toast and cereal; after-school snacks include sandwiches and cheese with crackers, with fruit also offered.

Attending Brandhall’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline. Brandhall’s admissions route is through Sandwell Council; families living outside Sandwell are directed to their own council’s arrangements.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions. The nursery’s play, conversation and independence-building activities are preparation for further learning, rather than an admissions entitlement.

Two patterns use 15 funded hours: Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 3pm, followed by Wednesday, 9am to noon; or Wednesday, 12:15pm to 3:15pm, followed by Thursday and Friday, 9am to 3pm. The 30-hour options are Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm, or three days, 8am to 6pm, subject to availability. These funded-only patterns carry no compulsory extra charges.

Universal 15-hour funding starts in the term after the third birthday. The extended 30-hour offer depends on eligibility, and families must reconfirm their code each term. Fee-paying places are also offered; attendance of fewer than five days depends on capacity. Contact the school for current charges.

Breakfast and after-school care are chargeable and booked through Arbor, with booking closing the preceding day. Breakfast starts at either 7:30am or 8am and finishes at 9am. After-school sessions run from 3:15pm until either 4:30pm or 5:30pm. Places are limited and allocated in booking order. An unfamiliar collecting adult needs a password, and the office must be informed.

Nursery children may wear their own clothes or uniform; spare clothes should be kept on their peg. Applications and visit requests use the Nursery Application and EYFS Enquiry Form, or families can call 0121 422 5336.