The Shrubbery School Nursery Review

Stories, conversations and physical challenges give The Shrubbery School’s nursery its character. The early-years provision combines language work with opportunities to practise independence and build friendships. Nursery forms part of an independent, mixed day school in Sutton Coldfield, whose school-wide age range is three to eleven. In January 2025, the early-years provision included one Nursery class.

The emphasis is on learning through interaction. Adults use children’s interests to shape activities, giving them a familiar starting point for developing new skills. Speaking, early writing and social development were areas of achievement in January 2025.

Language runs through the learning. In January 2025, adults used storytelling, demonstrated how to construct sentences and revisited vocabulary to help children express themselves clearly. Children applied new words in conversation and used comparisons when predicting how much different containers could hold. This connects communication with practical mathematical thinking: children use language to explain their predictions.

Physical learning has concrete equipment behind it. Balance beams and stair blocks gave early-years children opportunities to work on stability and coordination, alongside outdoor activities and regular PE. Adults encouraged children to attempt challenges, helping them persist when a task took practice.

Social learning also takes place through play. Home-themed role play explored family relationships and looking after younger children. Adults demonstrated listening and taking turns, helping children develop the habits needed for friendships. These examples show early-years learning bringing movement, language and relationships into everyday activities.

Knowing individual children shapes the support. In January 2025, children could turn to familiar adults when worries arose. Displays paired photographs with vocabulary for emotions, giving conversations a concrete starting point. Adults drew on each child’s interests and needs to help them talk about feelings. Appropriate staffing ratios were maintained in the early years, and suitably qualified adults supported children during the school day and on visits away from school.

Safeguarding requires a clear account of both dated findings. The January 2025 ISI inspection identified incomplete recruitment checks, inaccurate staff-check records and attendance procedures that did not follow statutory guidance, with early-years safeguarding requirements among the unmet standards. Staff training also needed to strengthen understanding of safeguarding terminology. These were material concerns for families choosing care for a young child.

At the July 2025 progress monitoring inspection, ISI found that all the relevant standards examined were met. Required recruitment checks, including those for early-years staff, were being completed appropriately, and attendance records followed statutory requirements. The safeguarding team included a deputy with early-years responsibility. Staff training used practical scenarios and termly online modules, giving adults repeated opportunities to practise recognising and reporting concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should treat Reception admission as a separate application rather than assume that nursery enrolment secures entry.

Transition support is a different matter. In January 2025, early-years transition arrangements helped children settle promptly into their next stage of learning. That supports continuity for children; it does not establish an admissions entitlement.

The school’s address is Walmley Ash Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1HY. Its recorded telephone number is 0121 351 1582, providing a direct contact route for families considering the nursery.