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Nursery at Ocker Hill Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Rhymes, songs and conversation give Ocker Hill’s nursery its character. Listening and spoken language are central to the day, with adults helping children connect words to their meanings. In February 2025, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding; its nursery findings described substantial gains in early speech.
Children can start from age three, taking a morning, afternoon or full-time place within Ocker Hill Infant School in Tipton. Nursery capacity is 78, with 39 places in each session. Buttercups, Daisies and Bluebells distinguish the attendance patterns, while smaller family groups give children time to practise communicating and getting along with others.
Red, green and blue family groups provide a social thread through the learning day. Children also help shape activities around their interests. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early maths, literacy, creative work and exploring the world. Children access all these areas of learning indoors and outdoors.
Twinkl Phonics Level 1 concentrates on listening before introducing letters. Activities explore sounds made by voices, instruments and the surroundings, alongside rhyme and body percussion. This gives children practice hearing differences in sounds and using language before they tackle written words. In February 2025, nursery teaching used stories, songs and repeated routines to extend speech and understanding.
Kinetic Letters adds a physical foundation for writing. Nursery children develop coordination, hand strength and movements that prepare them to make marks through play and physical activity. Maths starts with number sense, including recognising quantities, comparing amounts and exploring how numbers fit together. There is a reading area in each classroom and a daily story or text session for every child, keeping books within everyday learning.
Settling begins with contact between families and staff. For September starters, parents have a summer induction meeting, followed by a visit with their child before nursery begins. Staff also exchange information with previous childcare providers. That gives the team a starting picture of the child’s experiences and needs.
A nursery teacher works alongside staff supporting children’s learning. Microsoft Teams carries nursery information and achievements to parents; performances, Inspire sessions and Star of the Week bring families into nursery during the year. These create opportunities to understand what children are doing and celebrate their progress together.
For children with special educational needs or disabilities, the school’s SENDCo provides a contact point, with teaching and support staff monitoring individual needs. Families can raise concerns directly, and the local authority’s Inclusion team and SEN department help the school support them. The school premises are on one storey, with ramps providing access into the building and around the site.
Reception requires a separate application. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place at Ocker Hill Infant School. Families must apply again through the normal admissions process by the relevant deadline. The school directs first-time school applicants to Sandwell Local Authority, including its online school admissions route.
Transition support is a separate matter. Nursery and Reception staff maintain liaison when children move between classes. Families starting Reception are offered a summer induction meeting and a September visit before the start, providing contact with the next team rather than an admissions entitlement.
Buttercups attend from 8:30am to 11:30am; Daisies run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Bluebells begin at 8:30am, finishing at either 2:30pm or 3:30pm. Full-time places are linked to eligibility for 30 hours of funded childcare. The shorter full-time pattern covers those hours; the longer option adds charged time. Refer to the school for current charges.
Visits are booked by calling the office in advance. For enquiries, contact 0121 556 1119 or admin@ockerhill-inf.sandwell.sch.uk. Uniform is optional, and plain clothing from other suppliers is acceptable.
Travel and parking. The office entrance is on Prospect Street, although the school’s address is Gospel Oak Road. On-site parking is reserved for staff, with disabled parking available; nearby street parking is difficult. Allow time for the journey and collection.
Children can attend from age three, with part-time and full-time patterns.
Buttercups run from 8:30am to 11:30am and Daisies from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Bluebells start at 8:30am and finish at 2:30pm or 3:30pm.
No. Families need to make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The school directs applicants to Sandwell Local Authority.
September starters and their families are offered a summer induction meeting and a visit before starting. Staff liaise with parents and previous childcare providers.
No. Uniform is optional, and plain garments from other suppliers are acceptable.
