Billy's Young Stars Nursery

A resort setting gives Billy's Young Stars Nursery an unusual backdrop: in October 2022, children collected natural materials on walks around Butlins and watched ducks and swans on its lake. Those experiences brought the surroundings into their play.

At its 7 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Today, it has capacity for 42 children, with an age range of 3 to 60 months, at Warren Road in Minehead.

In October 2022, nature collections became materials for imaginative play alongside homemade dough. Children also visited a local farm, while incubating eggs offered another connection with living things. These were concrete experiences to talk about and explore, rather than activities confined to a table.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines support learning alongside planned activities. In October 2022, babies explored instruments, joined song actions and played ball with their key person. Older children's routines included putting on boots, spreading butter on toast and helping clear up. Practising these tasks gave children a useful role in the day.

A beanstalk display recognised helpful behaviour and kindness through children's photographs. The sensory room and calm corner offered quieter spaces when children needed a break. Both were part of the October 2022 experience.

In October 2022, settling arrangements were adapted to individual children, and parents received updates about their development and wellbeing. Babies' play with their key person provided a concrete example of the relationships supporting their day.

Conversations gave children time to think: staff paused for answers and listened to what children wanted to say. Names and photographs appeared in daily routines, including lunchtime place mats, helping children recognise their own place in the group. Handwashing before food and road-safety instructions during resort walks linked care with practical habits.

The address is Butlins Skyline Ltd, Warren Road, Minehead, TA24 5SH. Opening hours are 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, across the year; closures are Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

In October 2022, the nursery served children of Butlins staff and also ran an after-school club and holiday playscheme. It received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four at that time. These arrangements belong to that dated account.

• Staff-family provision. In October 2022, the nursery was a facility for Butlins employees' children. Does that access condition still apply to your family, and which attendance arrangements can you book?
• Purposeful learning. At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted identified two priorities: clearer learning aims for staff-led activities and better use of children's interests to extend their learning. On a visit, ask for an example of how both now shape an activity.

This setting suits families drawn to the resort surroundings and the practical independence illustrated in its October 2022 account. Nature collections, music for babies and quieter spaces gave that experience substance. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference; the learning priorities give families a clear subject to explore when visiting.