Harvills Hawthorn Primary School Nursery

An individual learning locker for every child gives this nursery a concrete way to celebrate small achievements: children’s work has its own display space. Harvills Hawthorn’s nursery serves children aged 3 to 4 within the primary school in West Bromwich.

There are 42 nursery places, divided into 16 morning, 16 afternoon and 10 full-time places. Each full-time child uses both a morning and an afternoon place. If demand for full-time attendance falls below the allocation, the remaining capacity becomes additional 15-hour places for families on the waiting list.

Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 4 and 5 February 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Painting, water play, sticking and playdough are daily options. Aprons help, but clothes can still get messy. This is a day for experimenting, with practical reasons to choose clothes children can manage themselves.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum follows Development Matters and takes children’s interests into account. In everyday terms, children explore how writing, reading and mathematics work in daily life, while conversation helps them express ideas and ask questions. The learning environment changes to introduce fresh possibilities rather than keeping activities fixed.

In February 2025, early years resources were carefully selected across the learning areas, and children learned in a calm atmosphere with positive relationships. For parents, that connects the materials children use with the confidence to explore them.

Books also travel home: children bring a library book each week for shared reading and discussion. Harvills 101 adds planned experiences to the curriculum from Nursery onwards. Each child’s learning locker makes their own work visible, giving individual efforts a place alongside shared activities.

Settling starts with a visit for parent and child to meet the nursery teacher and other staff. Families can ask questions before their child begins staying independently. In February 2025, early years children’s confidence and independence were supported by induction that gave teachers a detailed understanding of them.

Self-care gets practical support. Easy fastenings help children use the toilet and wash their hands independently; adults remain nearby to assist. A bag of spare clothes stays at school for accidents or messy activities.

Wellcomm speech and language screenings take place every term, with ideas for parents to support communication at home. Progress discussions, Inspire sessions alongside your child, and Tapestry contributions give families several ways to stay involved. Parents receive a short written progress report at the year’s end.

Behaviour support includes explaining boundaries and suggesting another way to act. Parents help develop plans for behavioural difficulties and are informed that day about significant incidents. The school aims to adapt learning to individual needs and work with families and outside professionals on SEND support.

For meals, the school has an on-site kitchen operated by SIPS Catering. Food is cooked there, and serving staff receive children’s dietary notes. The family support worker is also on site Monday to Thursday, providing a contact for wider family concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the local authority where they live, including when applying across council boundaries.

For September 2026 entry, the application deadline was Thursday 15 January 2026. That cycle has passed. The school office can arrange an appointment to help families complete an application; nursery attendance should never replace that separate step.

Morning attendance runs from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. Most children take all five mornings or all five afternoons. Universal funding is used as 15 hours each week across 38 weeks, starting from the term after a child’s third birthday, subject to a place.

Eligible families can access a limited number of 30-hour places. The nursery admissions pattern runs from 8:45am to 3:30pm on weekdays, with a charge for the 45-minute lunch interval. Contact the school for current charges. Enquiries can go to info@harvillshawthorn.co.uk or 0121 557 1034.

Collection uses an authorised-adult list and a password. Tell the office if another adult will collect; that person must provide the password. Children cannot leave with someone under 16. Keep collection close to the session finish so children are not left waiting anxiously.