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Nursery at Cape 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Familiar objects, children’s own interests and outdoor exploration give Cape’s early years provision its character. The nursery belongs to Cape Primary School on Cape Hill in Smethwick, with separate morning and afternoon sessions within the school’s Foundation Stage. That gives families two session patterns rather than a single school-day model.
Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 27 and 28 June 2023. This judgement covers the school’s early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Children’s interests help shape the activities. Cape follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), bringing together language, physical development, relationships, early literacy and maths, creative work and learning about the world. In parent terms, the programme connects learning to play and everyday experience rather than treating each skill as an isolated lesson.
Adult guidance sits alongside children choosing their own tasks. The EYFS programme includes at least one individual reading session each week and two adult-led tasks covering literacy and maths. Daily guided activities give staff another opportunity to work on children’s next steps. Children also work independently and alongside friends, so the day includes opportunities to practise making choices and cooperating.
Indoor learning extends outside. Outdoor areas are used throughout the year in most weather, making exploration part of the regular programme. Cape describes continuous provision as opportunities to keep practising taught skills through daily activity. Staff record observations in each child’s Learning Journey and use Development Matters to help plan what comes next.
The wider EYFS programme includes observing chick or duck eggs to explore lifecycles, visits involving the local library and theatre productions, and a Christmas singalong or Nativity. These experiences give children concrete things to discuss, investigate and remember.
Settling begins with links between home and school. Cape’s EYFS arrangements include home or nursery visits, stay-and-play opportunities and transition days. Learning Together Days and parent workshops also bring families into children’s learning. Reports, consultations and informal conversations provide further ways to share progress, with communication adapted to individual families.
In June 2023, early years staff were skilled at identifying children’s needs, including those arriving with little understanding of English. Learning drew on experiences children already knew, while familiar objects in learning areas helped them settle. For a child adjusting to both school and a new language, that offers recognisable starting points.
Support can include interventions for individuals or groups. The school also gives parents access to SEND resources, including Brain Parade for language development and Communication in Print visual aids for signs, symbols and visual timetables.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Cape’s EYFS transition arrangements include transition days and regular meetings with parents. These support children’s adjustment to school; they should not be read as an admissions advantage.
Morning and afternoon nursery sessions are the two patterns offered. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0121 558 1667 or email office@cape.sandwell.sch.uk. The school’s address is Cape Hill, Smethwick, B66 4SH.
Poor-weather closure notices appear on the school’s closure-information page and homepage. Checking those notices gives families a direct way to follow disruption affecting the school.
There is a morning nursery session and an afternoon nursery session.
Early years provision was graded Good at the inspection on 27 and 28 June 2023. It covers early years within Cape Primary School, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Yes. Cape’s EYFS outdoor areas are used throughout the year in most weather conditions.
EYFS arrangements include home or nursery visits, stay-and-play sessions, transition days, Learning Together Days, workshops and parent consultations.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place, and families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.
