Valley Nursery School: sessions, care and learning

Chicks for two-year-olds, dinosaur books in play and trips to the Royal Air Force museum give Valley Nursery School a distinctive early years character. Based in Blakenall, Walsall, it caters for children aged two to four and belongs to the Sandbank & Valley Nursery Schools Federation. This is a nursery school in its own right, so moving into primary education means choosing and applying to a receiving school.

Language, independence and learning beyond the classroom shape the experience. The March 2025 inspection found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received support suited to their needs while continuing to learn with other children. Inclusion has a practical form here: a sensory room and a quieter learning space provide additional ways to take part.

Three-hour morning or afternoon sessions give the day a clear framework. For eligible children using the longer provision, lunch sits between the two sessions. Learning combines group activities with play: children practise skills with adults, then use them independently.

The early years curriculum builds learning in steps. Counting the children in a group leads towards recognising and writing numerals, while listening for sounds within words prepares children for later phonics. Books also become tools for play, including using a dinosaur book alongside toy dinosaurs. These are concrete links between an adult-led activity and something a child can explore for themselves.

Conversation gets deliberate attention. Talk time develops language, and chicks hatched at school have prompted discussion extended through stories about eggs and a platypus. Songs and stories give children further opportunities to listen and join in.

Valley’s curriculum examples extend outdoors and into the town. N2 children have followed the Stickman and Gruffalo trails, used maps, played at the park and collected milk from a farm. Activities for the 30-hour group have included library visits, shopping in Walsall town centre, yoga and Tai Chi. Turn-taking games connect these experiences with learning to cooperate.

Settling starts with relationships and familiarity. N1 children explore their classroom while getting acquainted with key workers and other children; the Chicks group builds confidence in separating from parents or carers. Everyday routines also teach independence, including registering themselves and learning to manage their coats.

Support for SEND begins with families. When a child already has an identified need, staff use information from parents and professionals who know them to plan support. Speech & Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy are among the services that can advise. A child’s key worker or the SEND coordinator contacts parents when concerns arise, giving families a role in deciding the next steps.

The sensory room is accessible during sessions, alongside a calm space with resources matched to individual needs. Children attending the lunchtime provision bring a packed lunch. Safeguarding arrangements were assessed as effective in March 2025.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline.

Preparation for primary school also happens through everyday learning: managing clothing, taking turns, speaking confidently and practising independence. These skills support the next stage, but they do not secure admission.

Morning places run from 8:30am to 11:30am; afternoon places run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The 15-hour pattern is spread across five weekdays. Eligible children can use 30-hour provision from 8:30am to 3:30pm, with an additional charge for lunchtime supervision and a packed lunch supplied by families.

The funding code must be provided before starting and renewed every three months. Families declining lunchtime provision collect at 11:30am and return at 12:30pm. Late collection also attracts a charge; contact the school for current charges.

For enquiries, telephone 01922 710518 or email postbox@valley.walsall.sch.uk. Uniform is optional: royal blue is Valley’s colour, and families can purchase clothing through the office or other shops.