Mill Lodge Primary School Nursery Review

A morning of nursery, with story time helping children think about right and wrong: that is the clearest picture of Mill Lodge’s FS1 provision. The nursery belongs to Mill Lodge Primary School on Aqueduct Road in Shirley, Solihull. Its current session runs from 9am until noon.

That three-hour pattern is a decisive practical feature. Families choosing it need a routine that accommodates a midday finish, rather than planning around a full school day.

Stories have a purpose beyond listening. In September 2023, Ofsted described nursery children exploring right and wrong through stories, with personal, social and health education beginning in the early years. This gives children concrete situations through which to consider how people treat each other.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides Mill Lodge’s framework for early learning. For parents, one concrete example is personal, social and health education: nursery children use story time to learn about right and wrong and how to treat others. Alongside it, the school’s Skills Builder Partnership work teaches children skills including teamwork, creativity, listening and problem solving. The emphasis extends beyond subject knowledge to how children communicate and approach a task.

Matching the challenge. The September 2023 inspection also identified a school-wide weakness: some tasks were too simple because they did not sufficiently reflect pupils’ existing knowledge. The improvement required was more carefully pitched work. This is a relevant consideration for families, rather than a separate judgement on nursery teaching.

Children’s voices matter in the school’s safeguarding approach: their feelings and wishes should be considered, and concerns should prompt immediate action. For a nursery family, that makes listening to a young child part of the stated approach to care.

Operation Encompass provides another practical layer of support. Following a domestic incident involving a child, police notify a staff member before the following school day begins. That information allows staff to respond with emotional and practical help when events at home affect a child’s learning or behaviour.

For conversations about additional needs, the school provides a SENCO contact at senco@mill-lodge.solihull.sch.uk. The office can also arrange appointments with staff, giving parents a direct route to discuss their child.

Nursery attendance gives no priority for Reception at Mill Lodge and does not guarantee a place. A separate Reception application is required. These are distinct decisions, so choosing the nursery should rest on the nursery provision itself.

Solihull Council administers the school’s admissions apart from nursery entry. Reception application forms can be obtained from the School Admissions team twelve months before a child is due to start. Families must apply again through that route; taking up an FS1 place does not replace the Reception application or establish an admissions advantage.

FS1 currently operates mornings only, from 9am to noon. Nursery doors and the gate close at 9.10am, so the start of the session needs to be built into the family’s morning arrangements. The noon finish is equally important when organising collection and the rest of the day.

Enquiries can go to the school office on 0121 430 3010 or office@mill-lodge.solihull.sch.uk. There is also an online contact form. Parents can use the office to ask questions or arrange a conversation with a member of staff.