Tidbury Green School Nursery Review

Books, chatter boxes and Forest School give Penguins, Tidbury Green School’s nursery class, its character. This is the school’s Foundation Stage provision for children who turn three by the end of August before September entry. Little Wrens is the separate pre-school provision, so families should distinguish the two when choosing a place.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the March 2023 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The nursery teacher also holds the Early Years Lead role, connecting classroom teaching with responsibility for this stage of learning.

Talking and books shape the learning. Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children play, investigate, make things, sing and dance, alongside small-group conversations about their experiences. Books provide starting points for learning and new vocabulary. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised supplies the early reading programme, with Foundations for Phonics beginning in Nursery. The emphasis is on building the language and listening skills that prepare children for reading.

Large indoor classrooms give children space to use resources together; an outdoor classroom takes learning beyond the building. Penguins’ timetable adds specific routines: chatter boxes on Mondays, with PE and library visits on Wednesdays. Children bring their library book and reading record for those visits, giving families a regular connection to books at home.

Forest School brings another kind of exploration. The class timetable places it on Monday mornings during the second half of the autumn, spring and summer terms, with warm clothing and school shoes requested. These practical details matter when preparing a child for the week.

In March 2023, early years teaching used a consistent approach to developing vocabulary, supported by staff with expertise in this phase. That gives substance to the nursery’s emphasis on conversation: language development runs through learning rather than sitting in a separate activity.

Settling begins with opportunities to get to know the adults and classroom. Stay and Play sessions include parents, while early years staff arrange either a home visit or a visit to the child’s existing nursery. Welcome meetings let families meet the team and discuss the start. Familiarity is built before the new routine begins.

Parent Share connects families with nursery experiences, and termly meetings discuss progress. The Penguins class page also carries learning blogs, and parents can speak to the team after the school day or make contact through the office.

Lunch can be a school meal or a packed lunch in a labelled bag. Solihull Catering Services cooks meals on site, using a three-week menu cycle. Families complete a dietary form for allergies, intolerances or other dietary needs, with information passed to the caterer. Parents supply care consumables such as nappies, wipes and creams.

For children needing additional support, the school uses One-page Profiles where appropriate and an Assess-Plan-Do-Review cycle. The March 2023 findings highlighted effective identification and support in early years and phonics, while also identifying a school-wide need for more precise SEND targets and better use of assessment when planning learning. Families should discuss the specific next steps being pursued for their child. Accessible toilets and wheelchair access are concrete features of the school’s provision.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer priority under the Reception criteria listed on the admissions page. Families must apply separately through their local authority’s normal process and meet its deadline. Nursery admission and Reception admission are distinct decisions.

Preparation for a new class is separate from allocation of a place. Teachers pass on information about children’s needs and successful support strategies. Children can become familiar with their next teacher and classroom, with additional transition arrangements agreed with families where needed.

The all-day nursery timetable runs from 8:55am to 3:25pm. The school describes weekly booking options of 15 or 32.5 hours. Its extended-provision information sets out eligible 15-hour funded mornings from 8:55am to 11:55am, Monday to Friday, and eligible 30-hour provision ending at 2:55pm. Meals are excluded from funded provision; supervision between 2:55pm and 3:25pm carries an additional charge, payable as one termly payment regardless of how many days the child attends. Refer to the school for current charges.

Flamingos provides bookable wraparound care during term time and closes at 6pm. It closes for school holidays, training days and bank holidays. Places are limited, so arrange care once the school place is confirmed.

Early years uniform includes a sky-blue polo shirt and navy jumper or cardigan. Enquiries go to office@tidbury-green.solihull.sch.uk or 01564 823189; nursery applications go directly to the school.