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Nursery at Grace Mary Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Conversation, counting and a mud kitchen give Grace Mary’s nursery its character. Buttercups caters for two-year-olds, while Chestnuts is the nursery class for three-year-olds within the primary school on Hawfield Road, Tividale. The school offers five two-year-old places and eight places using the 30-hour funding scheme. Those are specific allocations, rather than a total nursery capacity.
Chestnuts has a nursery teacher who also leads the Early Years phase, supported by classroom assistants. This places the nursery within the school’s Early Years team.
Exploration shapes the learning. Chestnuts follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with Reggio Emilia influencing classroom practice: adults observe children’s interests and use those observations to develop their learning. For parents, the curriculum covers practical foundations such as communicating, managing feelings, physical development, early literacy and number work.
Ofsted’s November 2024 inspection found that adults extended children’s vocabulary through attentive conversation, that early number teaching was highly effective, and that children developed independence through activities including serving their own snacks and collaborating in the mud kitchen. Counting included moving backwards as well as forwards, beyond ten. These are useful details: language, number and cooperation are practised through things children actually do.
The mud kitchen supplies a concrete example of hands-on learning, while taking turns and sharing are part of the social learning. Children showed sustained attention to activities in November 2024, giving substance to the emphasis on exploration.
Parents can join Early Years Stay & Play once each half term. One literacy-focused session included making marks, reading together and phonics activities, offering families a direct way to participate in their child’s learning.
Emotional support is adapted to young children. Through Zones of Regulation, nursery staff name and model feelings, then guide children towards strategies suited to them. An adult helps the child manage the feeling before expecting independent control. Resources from this approach can also be used at home.
Communication has several routes. The Chestnuts class page carries learning updates and reminders, and parents can arrange an appointment with the nursery teacher through the office. Stay & Play adds a chance to share activities, rather than relying solely on written updates.
For children needing additional help, the school’s SEND approach adjusts teaching and resources to individual needs. Class teachers and SENCOs decide on support, with advice from outside agencies where involved. Families can also contact the Wellbeing Team for help with speech and language referrals or pressures at home.
Food arrangements include the option of a school dinner for children using nursery top-up provision. Serving their own snacks also gives children a small, practical opportunity to develop independence.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; Grace Mary’s Reception admissions are handled by Sandwell School Admissions.
Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions. The nursery application forms are for Buttercups and Chestnuts, while the council handles applications for the school’s Reception intake.
Buttercups’ two-year-old provision runs from 8:15am to 11:15am. For three-year-olds, the school offers 15 funded hours from the term after their third birthday, alongside eight 30-hour places for eligible families using the voucher scheme.
From 20 April 2026, the 30-hour nursery day ends at 2:30pm across five days. Continuing until 3:00pm adds chargeable time. The earlier lunchtime charge for children accessing 30-hour funding stopped on that date. Contact the school for current charges; additional time and a school dinner need to be considered separately when planning the day.
Later care. The school’s breakfast and after-school provision serves children from Reception age upwards. Families choosing nursery should plan around the nursery session and top-up arrangements.
Nursery application forms are available through the admissions page. Enquiries go through the school office on 01384 255910 or office@gracemary.sandwell.sch.uk. For journeys by car, the school suggests parking on Tower Road or City Road and walking the remaining distance, helping keep the gates clear.
Buttercups is for two-year-olds, and Chestnuts is the nursery provision for three-year-olds.
The session runs from 8:15am to 11:15am. The school offers five two-year-old places.
The school offers eight places through its 30-hour voucher scheme for eligible families. From 20 April 2026, that nursery day ends at 2:30pm; staying until 3:00pm involves chargeable additional time.
Early Years Stay & Play runs once each half term. Parents join activities with their children, and appointments with the nursery teacher can be arranged through the office.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Sandwell School Admissions, even if your child attends the nursery.
