Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Building Blocks Nursery in Birmingham (B44 9HU)
Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2023)
Number of places
41 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2023
Local authority
Birmingham
About this day nursery
Building Blocks Nursery provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years across its three Birmingham locations: Kingstanding, Handsworth Wood, and Great Barr. Established in 2002 with its Kingstanding branch, the nursery expanded in 2004 and 2016, consistently upholding high standards reflected in their 'GOOD' OFSTED ratings and 5-star food hygiene scores.
The nursery is led by directors Tina Hart and Alex Jones, both Early Years Graduates, with Tina Hart serving as managing director. Each branch benefits from dedicated management and a SEN and Inclusion Manager who ensures tailored experiences for all children.
Committed to staff development, Building Blocks Nursery employs a highly qualified team ranging from Level 6 graduates to Level 2 practitioners, alongside apprentices, all receiving regular training in essential areas like safeguarding, first aid, and specific developmental support. They also implement the 'Early Talk Boost' program, with trained staff on-site to support 3-4 year olds with language development, boasting significant success rates.
What it's like
The nursery is tranquil and welcoming, providing an aesthetically pleasing and homely environment. Staff are highly responsive to children's needs, offering reassurance and engaging in conversations to help children relax and focus. Children are confident and well-behaved, following nursery rules that promote safety and respect.
Good OFSTED ratings5-star food hygieneEarly Talk Boost programHighly qualified staff
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Key facts
Session types
full-days, half-days, full time sessions, part time sessions
Age range
3 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Building Blocks Nursery
Last inspected 16 October 2023 · Linda Yates
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
The nursery is tranquil and welcoming, providing an aesthetically pleasing and homely environment. Staff are highly responsive to children's needs, offering reassurance and engaging in conversations to help children relax and focus. Children are confident and well-behaved, following nursery rules that promote safety and respect.
Inspector highlights
- The management team is committed to continuous professional development, working towards a National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership and regularly consulting local authority advisers.
- The management team regularly monitors and supports staff's practice, helping them improve their knowledge and skills for effective teaching.
- Staff provide an exciting environment inspired by natural and recycled materials, incorporating children's interests and using everyday objects to promote learning.
- Staff use a screening programme to identify language delays and plan supportive interventions, including post-reading activities to deepen comprehension.
- The skilled and trained special educational needs coordinator works closely with parents and professionals to provide additional support, ensuring children make the best possible progress.
Areas to develop
- 1provide pre-school children with more opportunities to build on and develop their knowledge of letters and sounds
- 2enhance the already exciting outdoor physical opportunities available so that the older, most-able children experience an even higher level of physical challenge in their play.
Inspection #10308559 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents spoken to feel that their children are happy in the nursery.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The skilled and trained special educational needs coordinator is enthusiastically committed to her role, working closely with parents and other professionals to identify, plan and coordinate additional support for children with SEND. Staff have received training on various communication methods, including pictures, objects, and signing. The sensory room offers calmness and comfort, helping children regulate their behaviour and learn through their senses, all contributing to these children making the best possible progress.
Outdoor space
Younger children have opportunities for physical challenge and risk-taking, such as balancing on wooden planks and using a small slide. However, a small group of older, most-able children do not experience sufficiently challenging physical play.
Parent Reviews of Building Blocks Nursery
4.8
(17)
Rebecca Lamb
5 months ago
We decided to enrol our 18 month old to Building blocks after a lot of research and a lot of people recommending Building blocks to us and I am so glad we listened, our little boy, after only a few weeks went happily to the staff, holding his arms out, he absolutely loves nursery and he has come on so much since September, his confidence being a huge thing that has come on. The staff are absolutely amazing, so friendly and so good with the children, nothing is too much for them. They keep us informed with everything, communication is fantastic! And I’m always informed of everything. The activities they put on for the children are incredible, I am so happy we enrolled our little boy here. I can not praise this nursery and staff enough. I will always recommend.
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Sanna Zahid
9 months ago
Amazing Nursery. My daughter has been attending this nursery for 1.5 years and the amount she has excelled and developed is unimaginable. I love the settings in each room, how they transition from room to room as they grow older and I love how accommodating the nursery is from development plans, learning journeys and even the food. It’s so special watched her grown and make connections with other children and staff. I would 100% recommend this nursery and I 1000% will be sending any future children of mine to this establishment! Thank you Building Blocks Great Barr for being a bug part in my daughters life so far.
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Tai-Jeanne Howell
9 months ago
Found this nursery through word of mouth after two negative nursery experiences and can honestly say, the best decision we made was putting our daughter here. We were immediately reassured by all the staff and she was able to take her time settling in. However by her first day she ran in without even wanting a goodbye hug. She has come on so well in just a few months, she's able to communicate her needs, she's made bonds with the staff and other children and is learning lots of new skills. She never wants to leave when it's home time and asks for nursery as soon as she's dressed in the morning and will wait by the door with her bag. The team are all so kind and welcoming and make it feel so homely and you can tell they really support all the children in their care. I wish we found this nursery sooner for my son as the SEN is amazing and so supportive but we are so glad that our daughter gets to have the experiences he never got to. After our experiences it's hard finding somewhere to trust but just by seeing our daughters smile when we pick her up or when she sees the staff members, it makes us feel so secure and confident in our decision. We are always able to contact the team if needed via the app and the manager is always on site and is so approachable and we know we are always listened to even if it's just requesting for her not to have a nap on a certain day. We honestly can't thank the team enough and can't wait to see her development over the next couple years at building blocks.
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Natalie Pearman
8 months ago
Amazing nursery for our little girl! She started there when she was 9 months old, and I am a very anxious mom so was so worried about this with how little she was but she has settled in so good and always has good days when she attends. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff as she was a very picky eater but they manage to get her to eat all or nearly all of her food. The manager always greets us with a smile and an upbeat tone every morning she attends which is such a nice start to the day for both her and myself. Since starting she has come on loads with encouragement and being around the other children, and she now walks beautifully which I was worried that she was behind with doing. I can't wait to see how she continues to just grow and grow there as she gets older. Such a wonderful place! Would highly highly recommend to others, especially others like myself that are so worried about this massive transition.
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Kelly Hemus
a year ago
Building Blocks Nursery has been absolutely fantastic for our little one! He has been attending for over eight months now, and every single day, he goes in with a smile and comes home happy. The staff are incredible-so warm, caring, and genuinely dedicated to our little boy's well-being. Our son has severe eczema and multiple allergies/intolerances, which can be quite challenging, but the team has been nothing short of amazing in supporting his needs. They have gone above and beyond to ensure he is safe, comfortable, and included in every activity. Their understanding, attention to detail, and communication give us complete peace of mind. We honestly wouldn't want him to go anywhere else. Building Blocks has created such a nurturing and happy environment, and we are so grateful for everything they do. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a nursery that truly cares!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Building Blocks Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
- October 2023Good
- March 2018Good
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