The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Rood End 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Rhymes, pretend worlds and children’s own interests give Rood End’s nursery its character. Learning through play shapes the provision, with a class teacher and support staff working within the school’s early years team. Places are offered to children who are already three or approaching their third birthday, with morning and afternoon sessions across five days.
There is an important caution alongside that practical appeal. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Requires improvement following its inspection on 19 and 20 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play has specific learning purposes here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum brings together communication, physical skills, relationships and early understanding of books, numbers and the world. In nursery, that means discussing stories, recognising small quantities, experimenting with materials and learning to explain feelings. The curriculum treats development as individual, rather than expecting children to reach each step together.
Little Wandle Foundations introduces the listening skills needed before formal reading. Children explore environmental sounds, repeat rhythms with claps and stamps, and listen for rhyme and matching initial sounds. These activities give families something straightforward to share at home: songs and listening games, rather than a rush into reading books independently.
Construction kits, animal sets and dolls’ houses provide starting points for imaginary worlds and storytelling. Colour mixing and increasingly detailed drawings develop ways to express ideas. Exploration extends indoors and outside, with natural materials and planned learning about growing plants. Movement games support physical development, while counting objects and creating repeating patterns turn practical play into early maths.
Teaching consistency. In November 2024, early years adults introduced vocabulary competently, but did not consistently develop children’s answers into fuller conversations. Some activities also lacked clear learning goals or failed to build enough on existing understanding. These weaknesses could limit learning. For parents, the important distinction is between the activities offered and how effectively adults use them to deepen children’s knowledge and speech.
Children settled successfully into early years in November 2024. The nursery curriculum also includes expressing emotions, developing friendships and resolving disagreements through talk. Independence is part of the learning: managing coats and zips, progressing towards using the toilet independently, and washing and drying hands.
Additional needs are identified promptly from early years onwards, with staff using professional guidance to respond effectively. This is a useful strength for children who need support early in their education, although it should be considered alongside the concerns about language teaching.
Nursery Learning Meetings take place during the day throughout the year. They focus on early development and practical ways to help at home, giving parents a dedicated opportunity to discuss progress. For daily care, children need a bottle containing water only and spare clothes that can stay at school. The school’s food arrangements include a daily fruit option; the nursery also requests a half-termly donation towards cooking and craft resources.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, while nursery applications are handled by the school itself. Treat these as two distinct processes when planning your child’s next step.
The nursery’s preparation includes listening, conversation, independence and pre-reading activities. Those skills support the move into school learning, but preparation and admission are separate questions.
Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Drop-off and collection use the small gate beside the Key Stage 1 playground on Gresham Road. These nursery times are the ones to use when arranging childcare and journeys.
Collect a nursery application form from the main school office. The team then contacts families about the next steps. Enquiries and requests to visit can go through the office on 0121 552 1866 or office@roodend.sandwell.sch.uk.
Places are offered to children who are already three or approaching their third birthday.
Morning sessions are 8:30am to 11:30am, and afternoon sessions are 12:30pm to 3:30pm, across five days a week.
Use the small gate on the Key Stage 1 playground, accessed from Gresham Road.
No. Reception requires a separate application through Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Little Wandle Foundations focuses on listening games, sounds and nursery rhymes. Nursery activities also include sharing stories, recognising rhyme and noticing initial sounds.
