Rainbow Woods Pre-School at Weare Academy First School

A train set, shared turns and favourite stories give Rainbow Woods Pre-School its clearest character: early learning built around talking and playing together. The nursery belongs to Weare Academy First School in Weare, on Notting Hill Way, rather than operating as a separate setting.

At the Ofsted inspection on 6 and 7 December 2022, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covered early years within the school inspection; it was not a separate nursery inspection. The nursery-specific strengths were children's communication, their relationships with staff and their ability to play cooperatively.

Speech and language take a leading role. In December 2022, staff gave children opportunities to practise communication and develop social skills together. For a young child, this makes interaction with other children part of the learning itself: expressing a wish, listening to someone else and joining shared play.

The train set provides a concrete example. Children shared it amicably and waited for their turns. This was more than an activity to occupy them: it showed children putting social skills into practice with a toy they wanted to use. Cooperative play was visible in an ordinary nursery activity.

Stories also had a clear place in nursery life. In December 2022, children enjoyed story time, giving books a place alongside their play. For parents who value conversation and an early interest in stories, these are useful details about the nursery's priorities. The emphasis was on children communicating and enjoying activities together.

Close knowledge of individual children was a nursery strength in December 2022. Staff understood their needs and responded to them, linking care to the child rather than treating the group as interchangeable. That matters alongside the emphasis on language: understanding a child's needs helps adults support their participation in nursery life.

Behaviour expectations began in the nursery, with established routines giving children a consistent structure. The cooperative train play showed how those expectations worked in practice. Children could enjoy an activity together while making room for one another.

The nursery describes its meals as home-cooked, healthy and nutritious. Food therefore forms part of its offer alongside learning and care.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Weare Academy First School. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.

The distinction matters when planning ahead: time spent in the nursery should not be treated as confirmation of a future school place. Keep the Reception application as a separate task in the family calendar.

For enquiries, the school can be contacted on 01934 732270. Its address is Notting Hill Way, Weare, Somerset, BS26 2JS.

School visits can be arranged by appointment. A visit offers families a chance to discuss choosing the school, while the nursery decision should remain focused on the child's experience of care, conversation and play.