Nanny Bears Childcare, Ilminster

In April 2025, bird walks, yoga and conversations about nettle tea gave this Ilminster nursery an outdoor-minded character. In April 2025, children were using their surroundings to explore language and movement, with a molehill prompting a conversation about rhyming words.

At its April 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated Nanny Bears Childcare Good and found safeguarding effective. The current age range is 3 to 60 months. Its address is Nutcracker, Ashwell Park, Ashwell, Ilminster, TA19 9DX.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: education and everyday wellbeing belong together. In April 2025, activities included shaping dough to exercise hand muscles and climbing a ramp before using a slide. These gave children opportunities to practise both small movements and whole-body coordination.

Learning also reached beyond familiar nursery routines. In April 2025, children recalled wearing purple for Epilepsy Awareness Week and discussing the condition. Outdoor sound walks encouraged older children to connect words and sounds, while songs supported their interest in letters and rhyme.

Within the baby room, April 2025 activities supported movement and emerging speech. For older children, the curriculum emphasised communication, independence and preparation for starting school. Different stages brought different priorities.

In April 2025, staff fitted sleep and nappy changes around individual children's needs and comforted those who were upset before they resumed playing. Books and conversation supported vocabulary, while adults talked alongside children's play to help them express ideas.

Parent communication worked in both directions in April 2025, allowing families and staff to exchange information about children and their progress. Staff also had opportunities to discuss their practice and receive development support. Home-cooked food was prepared by the nursery chef, and meals provided time to eat together.

Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and one week over Christmas. That closure pattern matters for families arranging care around work.

In April 2025, the setting was based on the Dillington Estate within Ashwell Park and offered government-funded childcare places. The opening window describes operating hours; families choosing an attendance pattern need to consider the arrangements that fit their week.

• Teaching across different ages. At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted asked staff to adjust activities more closely to individual needs, especially in the toddler and preschool room. This is the main qualification to the positive judgement and matters when assessing how each child participates.
• Attendance and funded costs. How would your intended weekly pattern work, including funded hours, meals and consumables? Discuss these together when considering a place.
• Christmas cover. The nursery closes for one week over Christmas as well as bank holidays. Families needing care during those periods will need another arrangement.

This nursery suits families seeking year-round weekday care who value outdoor exploration and language-rich play. Its April 2025 experiences connected physical activity with conversation rather than treating them as separate parts of the day. The Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, balanced by a clear need to tailor some group activities more closely to individual children.