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Nursery at Croft Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Two classrooms for morning exploration, and an afternoon where younger children mix: Croft Academy's nursery provision has two distinct patterns. The 39-place nursery runs morning and afternoon sessions, alongside Little Crofties, an eight-place provision for two-year-olds. Both sit within the academy's early years provision on Croft Street, Walsall.
Little Crofties children can start in the term following their second birthday; the main nursery admits children after their third birthday. These are different starting points, with the afternoon bringing Little Crofties and rising threes together. Ofsted graded early years provision Good following the inspection on 15 and 16 October 2024. That judgement covers the school's early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Play and exploration give the day its shape. Activities follow Development Matters and are matched to children's developmental stage and age. In practice, the early years foundation stage (EYFS) here combines communication, social and emotional development, outdoor learning and opportunities to investigate. Adults join children's play, with the school aiming to encourage creativity and curiosity rather than simply directing activities.
Morning nursery children can use two classrooms during the part of the session when they choose their own activities. That gives them space to explore the different learning areas more deeply. Afternoon nursery has a different social arrangement: rising threes share time with the two-year-olds in Little Crofties.
The October 2024 early years findings add concrete detail to that picture. Children explored stories alongside songs and rhymes, building language and their understanding of the world. Outdoor play developed balance and strength, while writing activities included learning how to sit. Children sustained activities for longer as their language developed. For parents, the emphasis is on the small foundations of learning: expressing themselves, using their bodies and staying with an activity.
Little Crofties includes fruit at snack time, with water or milk to drink. Staff change nappies and work with families on potty training, so children can attend while still developing those care skills. This is practical support for the youngest children, alongside their play and learning.
Settling into routines was a strength of early years provision in October 2024. Children received help to understand unfamiliar routines and built caring relationships with adults and other children. For those beginning to develop communication, symbols helped them express feelings, giving them another way to make themselves understood.
Little Crofties aims to keep families updated about development and learning, encourage conversations between home and nursery, and support the move into nursery and school life. Parents with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) queries can contact the school's SEND coordinator at sendco@croftacademy.org.
A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place at Croft Academy. Families must make a separate application online to their home local authority, meaning the authority to which they pay council tax. The application is made in the spring before the academic year in which their child turns five.
Keep this application separate from the nursery relationship. The support Little Crofties aims to provide for transitions into school life concerns children's adjustment; it does not secure admission to Reception.
Main nursery sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Little Crofties runs Monday to Friday, 12:30pm to 3:30pm, during term time. Eligible two-year-olds can access 15 funded hours. Little Crofties has fixed session times, with no variation or extra sessions outside those hours, so families need to plan around the afternoon pattern.
For two-year funding, parents complete an online eligibility application and bring the golden letter to school if eligible. The academy office handles enquiries about funded places, admission and visits: call 01922 720 689 or email admin.croft@croftacademy.org.
Little Crofties admits children in the term after their second birthday. Children cannot enter the main nursery before their third birthday.
Main nursery sessions are 8:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Little Crofties runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday in term time.
Yes. Staff change nappies and work with children and families on potty training.
No. Parents must apply separately online through their home local authority in the spring before the academic year in which their child turns five.
Contact the academy office on 01922 720 689 or at admin.croft@croftacademy.org for enquiries about visits, admissions and funded places.
