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Nursery at Wells Cathedral 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 fire pit, counting games and children’s own questions give Little Wellies Nursery its character. This is nursery provision within Wells Cathedral School, with play and exploration shaping the learning rather than a day built solely around adult-directed tasks.
The nursery sits within the school’s pre-prep section. In April 2026, there were 55 children across two nursery classes; that is an attendance figure, rather than a statement of available places. The ISI inspection of 28 to 30 April 2026 found that early years requirements were met and that children learned effectively through activities guided by their interests. For parents, the clearest picture is of learning embedded in everyday experiences.
Children’s ideas help determine what happens next. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning into seven areas, while the curriculum brings early number work and literacy into ordinary play. Counting games sit alongside storytelling, shared books and making marks. Practical problems give children reasons to use those developing skills, rather than keeping them separate from the rest of the day.
Welly Wednesdays bring a distinctive outdoor element. Activities have included investigating camouflage, preparing food safely at a fire pit and measuring heart rates following exercise. These are concrete opportunities to explore the natural world, practise practical skills and connect movement with observation. They should be understood as examples of activities, rather than a fixed weekly menu.
Daily active play uses equipment selected for children’s development, alongside regular exploration outdoors. In April 2026, these experiences supported coordination, sensory development and confidence in movement. Adults also used responsive conversation during play to extend curiosity. Talking, trying things out and asking questions therefore belong together here.
Care routines make room for food, rest and sleep. In April 2026, children’s nutritional needs and their need to rest or sleep were being met consistently. Early years staffing met the required ratios, and staff had paediatric first aid training. Those arrangements connect the learning day with the practical care young children need.
The two-year progress check helped identify children who needed extra support. Early years leaders met regularly with staff to consider individual needs and plan responses. Safeguarding was effective across the school, explicitly including early years, with stories and role-play helping younger children recognise trusted adults and practise safe responses.
Additional needs. In April 2026, the wider school needed greater consistency in adapting teaching for children with SEND, including their emotional and behavioural needs. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a finding confined to nursery. Families considering support should weigh that qualification alongside the early years work to identify individual needs.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery entry and Reception entry are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process by the applicable deadline. Familiarity with the school should not be treated as an entitlement to a place.
In April 2026, early years provision operated for 50 weeks each year, with opening hours of 8am to 5pm. That longer annual pattern matters for families comparing childcare around work commitments; these are opening hours, rather than a promise of any particular booking arrangement.
Contact Admissions is the enquiry route, and families can book a visit. The school is at The Liberty in Wells, BA5 2ST. For current charges, contact the school directly.
Little Wellies Nursery, within Wells Cathedral School.
In April 2026, 55 children attended across two nursery classes. This is not a capacity or vacancy figure.
Regular outdoor exploration accompanies active play. Welly Wednesdays have included camouflage activities, safe cooking at a fire pit and recording heart rates after exercise.
In April 2026, early years provision ran from 8am to 5pm for 50 weeks of the year.
No. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline.
