Wellsprings Primary School Nursery Review

Packed lunches with a key person, outdoor learning and play alongside older early-years children give Squirrels Nursery its character. This is Wellsprings Primary School’s nursery in Taunton, with entry possible from a child’s third birthday. Nursery and Reception share a Foundation Stage Unit, so the nursery experience sits within a continuing early-years setting.

The emphasis is on children learning through play, with adult teaching woven into that experience. Families choosing Squirrels are choosing this shared early-years model, with a nursery key person providing an individual link between home and school.

Play has a defined place in the timetable. Children choose activities during both morning and afternoon periods, using these opportunities to practise skills introduced through teaching. Adult-led learning also takes place outdoors, extending the learning day beyond the indoor unit.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, physical development and social development with literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world. In parent terms, learning includes how children communicate and get along with others as well as early reading and number work. Wellsprings aims to make language development central to learning, while building movement and hand-control activities into each day.

Across the shared unit, mornings begin with activities to help children settle before literacy teaching. A book provides the week’s starting point for learning, and Read Write Inc supplies the named phonics approach. Afternoon maths follows a brief mindfulness activity after lunchtime play. Stories and a look back at the day bring proceedings to a close; music and PE happen weekly. These are the unit’s routines, rather than a separate nursery-only timetable.

In December 2024, Ofsted found established early-years routines and learning across the curriculum’s different areas. Nursery reading preparation included songs and recognising rhyme, while cooperation and taking turns began from Nursery Year. Those details put the emphasis on the listening and social habits children need to participate in learning.

Each nursery child has an allocated key person who adapts care and learning to their needs, supports parents with development at home and can direct families towards additional services. That relationship carries into lunch: nursery children eat their own packed lunches together in Nursery with their key person.

Snacks include seasonal vegetables or fruit, with water or milk to drink. Children can use their own water bottles and refill them during the day. Lunch therefore has a clear practical requirement for families: send a packed lunch.

Tapestry connects home and nursery through observations that parents can answer or add to. Progress is also discussed through parent meetings, workshops and informal conversations, while School Spider carries newsletters and event links. Parents have several ways to contribute information about their child.

For additional needs, the nursery lead practitioner also holds the Early Years SEND Link role. Concerns begin with the class teacher, supported by the Inclusion Lead and senior leadership team. Support is matched to the child in discussion with parents and carers, giving families a defined starting point for raising concerns.

Attending Squirrels does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the normal admissions route. Applications go to the home local authority; Somerset handles admissions for Wellsprings.

For September 2025 entry, nursery attendance carried no priority within the applicable oversubscription criteria, and the application deadline was 15 January 2025. Those dates belong to that past intake. Families should follow the normal deadline for their child’s entry year.

The shared Foundation Stage Unit provides continuity between nursery and Reception learning. Familiar surroundings and a continuing teaching approach are useful transition features. They do not guarantee a Reception place; families must apply separately through the normal admissions route.

Nursery applications are available through the school office, and the nursery team contacts families after receiving a form. Bespoke tours of the Foundation Stage can also be arranged, offering a chance to see the shared unit in use.

Wellsprings is on Crowcombe Road, Taunton, TA2 7NF. Contact the office on 01823 275556 or at office@wellsprings.somerset.sch.uk for nursery enquiries or to arrange a tour.