Black Horse Hill Infant School Nursery Review

Character spoons turn stories into play at Black Horse Hill Infant School’s nursery. Books are something children act out, and the star bear extends that interest into family reading at home. These are concrete ways to make stories part of a young child’s experience.

Known as Foundation 1, the nursery accepts children from the term following their third birthday. It forms part of the infant school on Saughall Massie Road in West Kirby. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 7 and 8 February 2024; this is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Storytelling gives the nursery day a distinctive feature. Children use character spoons to act out books, bringing the people and events in a story into their play. For a parent choosing a first classroom experience, that is a useful example of how an interest in reading develops through activity.

The early years curriculum builds the knowledge and skills children need for later learning. In February 2024, these foundations were carefully planned and children were ready for the learning that followed. In plain parent language, the emphasis is on building the essentials now so children have something secure to build on later.

The star bear adds another dimension. Early years children take him home and share a book with their families, connecting classroom reading with time together at home. The activity gives parents a specific way to join in with their child’s interest in stories.

Familiar routines help children understand the nursery day. In February 2024, early years children picked these up quickly and behaved exceptionally well. That combination matters for children learning how to take part in a classroom: routines give the day a recognisable structure.

Family involvement also has a tangible form through reading with the star bear. A book shared at home creates a connection between the child’s early years experience and their family.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year. Foundation 2 admissions are coordinated by Wirral’s local authority, with the route given as www.wirral.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026. That cycle is past. Treat the nursery choice and the later Reception application as separate decisions, even though both concern the same school.

The School Office handles Foundation 1 enquiries. Families are asked to make contact in the September before their child is due to begin. This gives parents a clear point at which to start the nursery joining process.

Visits can be arranged by calling 0151 625 5238. The same office can be reached at schooloffice@blackhorsehill-infant.wirral.sch.uk. A school visit provides an opportunity to see the setting before making a decision about Foundation 1.