Little Kingfishers’ Day Nursery at Kingfisher Primary School

Bikes, seed growing and a quiet room give Little Kingfishers’ Day Nursery its character: practical play with space for different kinds of activity. This is Kingfisher Primary School’s nursery in Yeovil, welcoming children aged two, three and four. A large nursery room sits alongside the quiet room and outdoor area, giving children opportunities to choose where and how they play.

The nursery aims to build independence, kindness and perseverance through first-hand experiences. Those aims translate into everyday tasks: choosing resources, sharing equipment and managing personal care.

Children combine play they choose themselves with activities led by adults. Water, sand and clay sit alongside puzzles, cookery and construction; children can work individually, beside other children or within a group. That gives the day several ways into learning, rather than one activity everyone must approach alike.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) connects language, movement and social development with early reading, maths, creativity and understanding the world. Here, that means choosing books and recognising written names, sorting objects and making models with shapes. Questions and stories give children practice in listening and speaking. These are practical beginnings for later learning.

Outdoors, bikes, climbing equipment and balls support physical development. Children also grow seeds, investigate mini-beasts and notice seasonal changes. Magnets, torches and programmable toys introduce exploration and cause and effect, while musical instruments and role play give children ways to express ideas. Children can access most of the nursery’s spaces, including outdoors, throughout their time there.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that early-years children engaged enthusiastically with stories and rhymes, concentrated for sustained periods and developed language through conversations with staff. These findings concern early years within the school.

Each child has a key person who builds a relationship with the family, records observations and discusses progress at parent consultations. Parents have opportunities each term to talk about development, and email updates keep them informed. Before starting, families share their child’s preferences and favourite toys, giving staff a personal starting point for care.

Toileting is handled through preparation and partnership. Children are expected to be progressing towards toilet training; if they are not yet trained, parents should tell the key person before starting so a continence support plan can be arranged. Spare clothes and clothing children can manage themselves support that work.

Lunch is cooked in the school kitchen and booked through ParentPay. Hot dinners become available after two weeks of attendance, with packed lunches needed initially. Breakfast, tea and snacks carry no additional charge. Staff work with parents on medical, cultural and dietary requirements.

Additional support has a nursery-specific structure. An early-years special educational needs co-ordinator works with families and external professionals on personalised plans and progress tracking. The nursery teacher, room supervisors and practitioners form the wider team, alongside an apprentice practitioner and administrator.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate school application through the normal local-authority route; Somerset applications can be made online, with a closing date of 15 January each year. For September 2026 entry, nursery attendance conferred no oversubscription priority. Choose the nursery for the nursery experience, and treat the school application as a separate decision.

Transition preparation is practical: staff welcome visits from receiving teachers, complete handover paperwork and encourage children to visit their new schools. Discussions and activities help prepare children for that change. This work supports familiarity; it does not determine admission.

Sessions run from 8am to 1pm or 1pm to 6pm, with longer options of 9am to 3pm and 8am to 6pm. Mornings and afternoons can be combined with longer days. The minimum booking is two sessions weekly; an 8am to 6pm day counts as two.

Funded places include the 15-hour entitlement and, for eligible children, 30 hours. The universal entitlement starts the term after a child’s third birthday and covers 38 weeks yearly. Submit the extended-funding eligibility code to the nursery for verification by the end of the term before your child accesses the entitlement, and renew it before it expires. Additional self-funded hours are possible; contact the school for current charges.

To join the waiting list, return the initial form to the nursery in person or email LKDN@kingfisher.ppat365.org. Visits can be arranged by telephone on 01935 472730. There is no compulsory uniform. Bring labelled spare clothes, a water bottle and outdoor clothing; authorised collectors use the family’s chosen password.