Tinywoods Preschool in Oldbury has been judged outstanding in all areas following its Ofsted inspection in December 2024. The nursery achieved top marks across critical areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. 

This is the preschool’s first Ofsted inspection since joining the Trust in 2021.   

Inspectors praised the preschool for its nurturing environment and ‘ambitious’ curriculum, which supports children in making ‘consistently high rates of progress across all areas of their learning.’ The nursery staff’s commitment to excellence in early years education was praised, noting their dedication to giving every child the best possible start. 

At Tinywoods, children are described as ‘extremely happy and settled,’ showing a keen enthusiasm to explore the ‘wealth of experiences’ and activities offered to them. These activities are purposefully designed to ‘excite and motivate’ young learners, while the nursery’s ‘ambitious’ play-based curriculum encourages children to follow their interests and engage in activities they enjoy most. Ofsted also highlights Tinywoods’ strong focus on language development, which is considered a cornerstone of its curriculum. 

This child-led approach has resulted in ‘extremely positive attitudes to learning,’ as well as ‘very high levels of curiosity and attention to detail.’  

Staff at Tinywoods ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive the full support they need to access the entire curriculum. Their ‘highly inclusive’ approach was praised, with particular recognition of their close collaboration with external professionals to provide tailored support. One-to-one interventions and consistent routines further foster children’s development, allowing them to thrive in a nurturing, structured environment. 

Leaders were praised for their ‘high expectations’ and ‘deep respect’ for staff, fostering an empowering environment that supports staff, enabling them delivery of a ‘purposeful’ and well-organised curriculum. This approach also ensures the unique needs of every child are met, helping them grow into ‘confident, independent, and happy individuals.’ 

Parents also expressed ‘extremely high levels’ of satisfaction with the care and education their children receive. Inspectors noted the strength of the key-person relationships and the regular, detailed communication with families, which ensures a smooth and supportive connection between home and preschool. 

The nursery’s close partnerships with Lightwoods Primary Academy, its host school, were highlighted as essential in preparing children for their transition to primary school. The report also mentioned the collaboration with other early years settings to share best practices, further demonstrating the team’s commitment to continuous improvement. 

The nursery, jointly run by Heather Wilkinson and Kamaljit Koasha, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this outstanding recognition from Ofsted, which reflects the dedication, passion, and teamwork of our staff. They go above and beyond every day to create an inspiring environment for our children. 

“At Tinywoods, we are committed to helping each child discover their unique potential and develop a lifelong love of learning. This strong foundation will set them up for success in their education beyond preschool. We are thrilled to see this reflected in such a glowing report. A huge thank you to all our staff, families, and the Trust for their unwavering support.” 

Sir Mark Grundy, CEO of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust, said: “This outstanding result is a true testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire team at Tinywoods Preschool. Their ability to deliver an exciting, ambitious, and inclusive curriculum ensures that every child, regardless of their starting point, is given the tools and support to flourish. 

“We are incredibly proud to support Tinywoods Preschool as part of Shireland Collegiate Academy Trust in their ongoing pursuit of excellence and look forward to building on this success to benefit even more families and children in our community.” 

Tinywoods Preschool’s latest Ofsted report is available to read here. 

To find out more about Tinywoods Preschool and apply for a place in September, call 0121 429 2542, email admin@tps.shirelandcat.net or visit the website.