Business Details
22 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare Services in Smethwick
Victoria House Nursery, established in June 2004, has been a trusted childcare provider in Smethwick, West Midlands for over two decades. Our nursery, part of the Cape Hill, Windmill & Bearwood area Children's Centre, is registered with Ofsted for 73 children aged 0-8 years. We maintain an open-door policy, welcoming parents to tour our facilities and experience our approach to early years education. Our dedicated team, led by experienced professionals with qualifications in early years education, delivers tailored care through a key worker system. The nursery occupies a converted school building with four spacious rooms and extensive outdoor play areas, including climbing equipment and learning-focused environments.We prioritise partnerships with parents, offering regular communication and involving families in their child's development journey. Our comprehensive approach includes healthy meals prepared on-site, a structured curriculum aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the use of Tapestry software for parental engagement. The nursery operates year-round, offering flexible session options to accommodate working families.
Services
Baby Room
Toddler Room
Pre-school Room
Holiday Club
School Readiness
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in early years childcare
- Our staff hold formal qualifications in early years education
- We operate a key worker system for personalised child care
- Our nursery is registered with Ofsted for 73 children
- We provide freshly prepared healthy meals on-site daily
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
Services
Baby Room
Our Baby Room caters for children from birth to 24 months, providing a nurturing environment that follows individual routines for eating, sleeping and play. We use sensory-rich activities and carefully selected resources to support early development in a safe, loving setting. Our qualified staff work closely with parents to ensure continuity of care and support for each baby's unique needs.
Toddler Room
The Toddler Room supports children aged 24 months to 3 years through their crucial developmental stage. Our experienced practitioners facilitate potty training, social skills development and exploratory learning through structured and free play. The room features diverse toys and resources to stimulate curiosity and promote physical and cognitive development in a welcoming, spacious environment.
Pre-school Room
Our Pre-school Room prepares children for formal education through structured learning activities that develop literacy, numeracy and social skills. We focus on building confidence and independence while introducing fundamental concepts in colours, shapes and counting. The curriculum supports school readiness through play-based learning and individualised attention from qualified staff.
Holiday Club
The Holiday Club provides childcare during school breaks, offering themed activities, crafts and outings in the local area. Children participate in planning daily activities while developing social skills through group experiences. The club operates in our Classroom facility and offers flexible booking on a first-come basis for children already attending our nursery.
School Readiness
Our school readiness programme develops essential skills for children transitioning to formal education. Through structured activities and play-based learning, we focus on literacy, numeracy and social development. The programme aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and includes preparation for school routines, helping children build confidence and independence for their next educational stage.
People
Karen Hardy
Company Director
Karen Hardy leads Victoria House Nursery with over two decades of childcare experience. She ensures our nursery maintains high standards through careful staff selection and ongoing professional development. Karen oversees strategic direction while maintaining focus on quality childcare provision.
Michelle Llewellyn
Manager
Michelle Llewellyn manages daily operations with a BA Honours degree in Early Years Education. She leads our team in delivering child-centred care and ensures compliance with educational frameworks. Michelle maintains close parent partnerships to support each child's development journey.
Gemma Manders
Assistant Manager
Gemma Manders supports nursery operations as Assistant Manager. She works closely with staff and parents to maintain consistent care standards across all age groups. Gemma contributes to staff training and ensures implementation of our educational philosophy.
Esther Reed
Head of Baby Room
Esther Reed leads the Baby Room with Level 3 qualifications. She specialises in infant care and developmental play, creating stimulating environments for our youngest children. Esther coordinates with parents to ensure continuity between home and nursery routines.
Marlene Garcia
Head of Pre-school
Marlene Garcia oversees our Pre-school Room with Level 3 qualifications. She focuses on school readiness through structured learning activities. Marlene develops curricula that balance educational goals with children's individual needs and interests.
Questions
What age range does Victoria House Nursery cater for?
We care for children from birth up to 8 years old, with dedicated rooms for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-age children.
What are your opening hours?
We operate Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 6:15pm, 52 weeks a year, closing only on Bank Holidays and early on Christmas/New Year Eves.
Are meals provided at the nursery?
Yes, we provide freshly prepared healthy meals and snacks on-site by our dedicated cooks, including breakfast, lunch and tea.
Is the nursery Ofsted registered?
Yes, we are Ofsted-registered for 73 children and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework for educational development.
Do you offer holiday childcare?
We provide Holiday Club during school breaks with themed activities and outings, available on a first-come basis for existing nursery children.
How do you support children's learning and development?
We use a combination of play-based learning, structured activities and the Tapestry online learning journal to track progress and engage parents.
