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Nursery at St James Church School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A garden door that opens for children to choose between indoor and outdoor play gives St James Church School Nursery its character. Acorns combines short group activities with time to follow children's own interests; Squirrels has a less structured rhythm for younger children. Both belong to the school's nursery on Cranmer Road in Taunton.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 26 and 27 November 2024. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.
In Acorns, the example morning moves from choosing an activity to a greeting song, then a small group task involving maths, literacy or phonics. Indoor and garden play follows. Opening, lunch and finishing times are fixed, but other activities can shift with children's needs or special events. That gives the session a recognisable shape while leaving room for children's choices.
Snack time happens in small groups alongside an adult, with conversation as well as food and drink. Children then return to play. Singing and stories round off the morning. For children attending all day, afternoon group activities change, and the snack differs too, so the second session brings something new.
Squirrels follows children's interests more loosely. Children move between outdoor and indoor activities, share snack time with adults at their tables, and sometimes gather for singing or practising signs of the week. Dancing to Sticky Kids can finish the day. These are concrete examples of early years learning through play, conversation, movement and adult guidance.
In November 2024, early years storytelling engaged children, with puppets and toys helping them retell stories. There was also a school-level concern about uneven staff expertise in phonics, slowing some pupils' reading progress; some developing subject curricula left pupils with knowledge gaps. These concerns should be kept distinct from the Good early years judgement.
Key workers share nursery learning journals through Famly and discuss progress with families. For a child needing additional support, the nursery starts with a parent and key worker meeting and an All about me pupil passport. An individual plan can follow with the nursery SENDCo, alongside advice from external professionals where needed. A nursery sensory room provides a physical space for wellbeing and sensory needs.
Language support also has practical substance. In November 2024, children learning English as an additional language received translations of new vocabulary, supported by gestures and visual cues. This gives children more than spoken English alone to help them understand learning.
Lunch runs from 11.45am to 12.30pm. Families can send a packed lunch or order a school dinner through the office; hot meals are free for nursery children. Many Squirrels children nap after lunch or during the afternoon. Nappies are checked regularly and changed when needed, while parents supply nappies, wipes and nappy sacks where appropriate.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admission priority for September 2027. Families must make a separate application using their home local authority's Common Application Form, submitted before 15 January 2027. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.
Transition support has its own purpose. Children are invited to settling sessions before Reception, and Reception staff make home visits. Children identified with SEND have a School Entry Planning meeting involving their family, education staff and relevant professionals, creating an action plan for the move. Familiarity and preparation do not change the admissions position.
Sessions run Monday to Friday during term time: mornings are 8.45am to 11.45am, afternoons 12.30pm to 3.30pm, and all-day attendance 8.45am to 3.30pm. A minimum of two sessions per week is required. Breakfast Club and Late Club extend care for children aged three and over, subject to availability.
Eligible funded hours cover 38 weeks, with a maximum of 15 or 30 hours weekly according to eligibility. Additional hours are charged separately; a voluntary snack contribution is requested. Ask the school for current charges. Session changes require two weeks' notice, and cancelling a place requires at least four weeks' written notice or payment of four weeks' fees in lieu.
Families can book a nursery visit by appointment and submit an expression of interest through Famly. For enquiries, call the Nursery Office on 01823 282645 or email enquiries@stjames.bwmat.org.
No. For September 2027, nursery attendance gives no admission priority. A separate Common Application Form must reach your home local authority before 15 January 2027.
Morning, afternoon and all-day sessions operate Monday to Friday in term time. Children must attend at least two sessions per week.
Yes. Hot meals are free for nursery children and can be ordered through the school office. Families can also provide a packed lunch.
Nursery learning journals are shared through Famly, with progress conversations and meetings involving key workers and the nursery SENDCo as needed.
Contact the nursery to book an appointment. The Nursery Office number is 01823 282645, and the enquiry email is enquiries@stjames.bwmat.org.
