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Nursery at St Matthew's CofE 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Children's own questions help shape the play at St Matthew's nursery. Adults join their activities, help develop ideas and tackle misunderstandings, while planned topics give children something new to explore. This is a nursery day built around both adult guidance and children's choices.
The provision belongs to St Matthew's CofE Primary School in Smethwick. Its base is Windmill Lane, alongside the school's early years and infant provision. In the Ofsted report dated 10 February 2026, early years received Expected standard. That judgement covers the school's early years provision, rather than giving the nursery a separate rating.
The day includes adult-led activities and play that children initiate themselves, with the balance suited to their ages and stages. Choosing Time takes a substantial share of the day, allowing children to revisit familiar learning or investigate something new. Resources combine materials kept ready for everyday use with additions linked to the current learning focus. For parents, that means planned teaching and time for children to pursue an idea coexist within the session.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together children's early learning and development. Here, Development Matters guides assessment and planning alongside children's interests. Themes include Traditional Tales, All about me and Growing and Change. Nursery and Reception share topic titles, but work towards different learning goals. Wednesday is the nursery's PE day, adding a regular physical activity routine.
Listening comes before blending in nursery phonics. Children explore animal noises, outdoor sounds and sounds made with their voices and bodies, then begin Read, Write, Inc. Fred Talk helps them combine separate sounds into words. This gives families a clear picture of the first steps towards reading.
The February 2026 early years findings illustrate how play can connect with language: children discussed The Three Billy Goats Gruff while preparing pretend pancakes for trolls in a mud kitchen. Activities also developed finger strength for pencil control and understanding of numbers. Teaching consistency. Some tasks did not start closely enough from children's existing knowledge, and adult conversations varied in how effectively they expanded vocabulary. These weaknesses limited progress and left some children with fewer opportunities to extend their language.
Partnerships with families helped children settle confidently into early years in February 2026. Tapestry gives parents access to observations, space to comment and a way to contribute activities from home. Nursery curriculum letters include parents' evening information and INSPIRE workshops, connecting conversations about progress with opportunities to take part in learning. Each term, INSPIRE invites parents or other family members to join their children for activities such as reading, writing and art. These workshops give families a practical way to understand the learning and support it at home.
Children with gaps in skills or knowledge receive support planned around their individual needs. A nursery potty-training page also links families to The Potty Training Guide. Across the school, SIPS Catering runs a kitchen in each building and prepares meals on site. These are school catering arrangements; they should not be read as a nursery meal entitlement.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Sandwell's local authority route, with allocation governed by the relevant admission policy. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Shared topics provide continuity in learning, with different expectations for each stage. That curriculum connection is distinct from admission: familiarity with the school does not secure a place.
Morning Nursery runs from 8.30am to 11.30am; Afternoon Nursery runs from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. These are distinct session patterns, useful when matching attendance to family routines.
On Wednesdays, children wear PE kit and remove jewellery, including earrings. Reading books and Learning Logs go home on Fridays and return on Wednesdays, giving families a predictable home-learning rhythm. For enquiries, use the Windmill Lane office on 0121 558 1651, extension 101, or email admin@st-matthews.sandwell.sch.uk. A Nursery Virtual Tour is also provided.
Morning Nursery is 8.30am to 11.30am. Afternoon Nursery is 12.15pm to 3.15pm.
No. Families need to apply separately through the local authority, under the relevant admission policy.
Children first explore environmental, animal, body and voice sounds. They then begin Read, Write, Inc., including Fred Talk to blend sounds into words.
Tapestry lets parents view observations, comment and upload learning from home. Nursery curriculum letters also include information about parents' evenings and INSPIRE workshops.
Reading books, reading records and Learning Logs should return on Wednesdays. Books and Learning Logs are sent home on Fridays.
