Kids Planet Boston Spa

Weekly forest school trips in July 2024 and a nursery within primary-school grounds give Kids Planet Boston Spa a recognisable character. In July 2024, children built dens, explored water and flowers, and confidently described what they enjoyed doing. These are useful details for parents seeking learning that reaches beyond indoor activities.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 25 July 2024, finding effective safeguarding and good support and progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). That judgement came with two practical priorities: making activities suitable for different developmental stages and giving older children more consistent opportunities to manage tasks themselves.

The nursery has 95 places in total and accepts children from 3 months to 5 years. Morning, afternoon and full-day bookings make it relevant to different working patterns, rather than a single attendance model.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, that brings learning into play, conversation and practical experiences, rather than separating education from the rest of the nursery day.

In July 2024, children's interests shaped the activities. Younger children explored water alongside fruit and flowers, touching and smelling the materials. Older children gathered outdoor resources for an imaginary jungle. The contrast matters: sensory exploration and collaborative pretend play give children different ways to participate, according to their development and interests.

Language also ran through ordinary interactions. In July 2024, staff talked to babies during play, used songs and musical instruments, and animated stories for younger children. Older children had conversations about their activities and could explain what they enjoyed. For parents, this gives a concrete picture of communication being practised throughout the day, rather than confined to a scheduled language activity.

There was a limit to how consistently activities worked for everyone. In July 2024, some tasks demanded more than younger children could manage, leaving them unable to participate fully. An appealing activity still needs the right level of challenge. This is a useful point to explore when considering the nursery for a child at the younger end of its age range.

Outdoor and Community Life

In July 2024, weekly trips to forest school involved den building and learning about nature. Here, forest school meant practical outdoor exploration: children used their surroundings as part of their learning. That recurring experience gave outdoor activity a place beyond the nursery's immediate setting.

Other outings took children to shops, parks and the local library. Some children were learning Spanish words, while a fire brigade visit introduced people whose work helps the community. Together, these experiences connected language and play with the world children encounter outside nursery. The frequency of the forest school trips was weekly; the other visits formed part of the July 2024 picture without a fixed timetable.

The current group-wide outdoor approach used at Boston Spa includes wildlife discovery, vegetable growing and active play. These activities add practical encounters with living things and movement to the day. They complement the inspection-era forest school experiences, though they should be understood as separate descriptions of the current offer and the earlier visit.

Relationships were a strength in the July 2024 inspection: Ofsted found children settled, emotional support effective, and parents positive about their children's key-person relationships and communication about development. Those findings give the overall grade substance. For a parent, the relevant question is how familiarity with an adult translates into comfort, communication and participation for their own child.

In July 2024, children learnt breathing techniques to help them deal with sadness or anger. Staff also set clear expectations for behaviour. The practical emphasis was on giving children a way to respond to feelings, alongside understanding what was expected of them.

Independence was less consistent. In July 2024, younger children chose and returned play resources, washed their hands and received encouragement when feeding themselves. Some older children, however, were prevented from tackling manageable lunchtime tasks, including clearing their plates. The issue was opportunity, rather than willingness: children needed more chances to do things they could already manage.

Famly, the parent app, supplies real-time updates at Boston Spa as part of the group's offer. This gives families a way to stay connected with the nursery day alongside conversations with staff. The July 2024 findings about parent communication belong to that inspection date; the app is part of the current arrangements.

Meals and snacks are freshly prepared, with provision for dietary needs. For privately paid care, food is included in the fee; meals are charged separately on days when early years funding is applied.

Sessions and Attendance

Boston Spa opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, across 52 weeks of the year. Full Day and Full Time bookings run from 7.30am to 6pm; Morning sessions finish at 1pm after a 7.30am start, and Afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 6pm. An hourly booking rate is also offered. This gives families a choice between shorter attendance and a full nursery day.

Before School care runs from 7.30am to 9am, with After School care from 3pm to 6pm. These are separate from the nursery sessions. The Out of School Club caters for children up to 11, so families considering care for siblings have another attendance pattern to weigh.

Telephone and email enquiries go directly to the Boston Spa team on 01937 849 588 or bostonspa@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Getting There

The address is St. Marys C of E Primary School, Clifford Road, Boston Spa, Wetherby, LS23 6DB. The nursery sits within the grounds of St Mary’s Primary School; attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place, and families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered alongside privately paid sessions. The charge structure matters as much as the session choice: private fees include meals and snacks, plus nappies, wipes, formula and sun cream. Sports activities and the Famly app are also included in the group-wide package offered here.

On days when early years funding is applied, meals, consumables and activities carry separate charges. The charges vary with the amount of funded time used that day. Families combining funding with paid care therefore need to compare the whole booking, rather than assuming that the private-fee inclusions apply unchanged to funded attendance.

• Activities for younger children. In July 2024, some activities were too demanding for younger children's development. During a tour, ask how staff adapt a shared activity so your child can take part meaningfully.
• Older children's independence. The July 2024 improvement priority concerned giving older children consistent chances to complete tasks themselves. Ask to see how everyday routines now support self-help before school.
• Funding and the total bill. Food, consumables and activities are charged separately on funding days, while private fees include these essentials. Request a written quotation for your intended morning, afternoon or full-day pattern, with the funding allocation and extras separated.
• A place within school grounds. The nursery's setting at St Mary’s Primary School may appeal to families thinking ahead to Reception. Keep the nursery choice and school application separate: attendance does not secure a school place.

Kids Planet Boston Spa suits families choosing between morning, afternoon and full-day nursery care, including those who value outdoor exploration and communication through Famly. The July 2024 picture gives it character: weekly forest school trips, sensory play and community visits sat alongside established relationships with staff.

The two improvement priorities remain useful decision points. Younger children need activities they can access, and older children need room to practise independence. With funded-day extras considered carefully, this is a nursery whose practical choices and everyday learning deserve equal weight in a family's decision.