Abbey Preschool
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Yeovil for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in October 2022. Open since 2012, with 26 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Somerset
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Somerset from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BA21 3SNWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 19 October 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children develop strong, nurturing relationships with staff at this warm and welcoming pre-school. Children arrive happy and are keen to explore the activities on offer. They have a positive attitude to learning and show high levels of enjoyment and curiosity. Staff have high expectations for all children. All children respond positively to staff and each other and show a good understanding of the boundaries set. For example, before lunch, the children work together to tidy away and make space to sit as a group. They are thoughtful and caring towards their friends. When they notice another child taking a toy, they remind them that
'snatching is not kind'. They wait patiently for their turn to wash their hands or to join in with an activity.
Staff promote children's physical health. Children enjoy playing outside in the fresh air. They have access to a range of equipment and activities that help them to move their bodies and build their muscles. Children show delight as they put on their wellies and splash in puddles created by the staff. Staff are highly motivated and passionate. They involve themselves in children's play. For example, they enthusiastically call together 'ready, steady, go' as they throw leaves in the air.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- refine how staff identify and plan for children's next steps in learning and consistently provide them with challenge to enable them to achieve their full potential n extend the already good partnership with parents, so that all parents know their child's individual next steps and can support their learning at home.
- 19 October 2022Good
- 9 November 2016Good
- 8 January 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Abbey Preschool
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.