Victoria Park Primary Nursery Review

Child-led play meets NICER curriculum challenges at Victoria Park Primary’s nursery in Smethwick. Children’s interests help shape the activities, while themes about themselves, their school and their friends give the year a recognisable direction. The emphasis is on exploring and doing.

Children can join after their third birthday, with nursery places for ages 3 and 4. This is the primary school’s own provision, with funded and paid sessions. Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 December 2023; that judgement covers the school’s early years rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines practical experiences with play that children initiate themselves. Mark-making gives them a way to record ideas before writing becomes fluent. The nursery aims to develop independence from the outset, so learning includes having a go as well as receiving adult guidance.

Three named challenges shape the NICER year: Me and my friends, Me and my school, and You and Me. Activities draw on children’s interests, and parents are encouraged to participate in experiences linked to these challenges. This connects the curriculum to relationships and places young children already know.

The EYFS brings together language, physical development and social and emotional learning, alongside literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts. Mathematics includes adult-supported learning and opportunities within children’s chosen activities and everyday routines. Art involves experimenting with textures, colour and different media, then talking about what children like in their work. Physical development forms part of daily early years learning, including activities to develop fine motor skills.

Outdoor play has concrete resources across the school: the Mud Kitchen and Sand pit can be used throughout the year with suitable wet-weather clothing. These sit within the school’s OPAL play provision, which also includes spaces for imaginative play, dressing up and arts and crafts.

Speech and language receive attention from the start. WellComm is used when children enter nursery to identify their language characteristics, while the Voice 21 programme shapes work on speaking and listening. This gives staff a starting point for understanding how each child communicates.

For additional educational needs, the school’s approach brings parents, the class teacher and the Special Needs Co-ordinator together. Children remain in their classroom wherever possible, with extra adult support. ParentMail handles letters, messages, payments and parents’ evenings; ClassDojo shares classroom photos, videos and messages, with translation available.

School meals are supplied by Miquill and prepared daily in the school kitchen. The Halal menu changes on a three-week rotation, and dinners include a drink, main course and pudding. This is the school meal arrangement, separate from the nursery’s learning programme.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Sandwell Local Authority and meet the normal Reception application deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Eligible children aged 3 and 4 can access 15 or 30 funded nursery hours, and families can pay for additional sessions. Contact the school office for current charges. Nursery registration is through the office or an online application form.

Prospective parents can book a school tour through the office on 0121 558 8701 or use the enquiry form. For clothing, the school expects uniform but does not require branded items. Its colours include a navy sweatshirt and white polo shirt, with grey or black trousers or a skirt; outdoor clothing includes wellies and raincoats.