Merriott Pre-school
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Merriott for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2023. Open since 2001, with 24 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
TA16 5RBWhat 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, 9 February 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are confident, happy, emotionally secure and enjoying their learning. They are developing good skills for their future. They have enquiring minds and are independent in their personal hygiene and physical skills. For example, older children carefully and expertly cut around a desired shape. They wash their hands to eat, pour their own drinks and pass the jug to their friends. Children behave extremely well and are highly motivated, excitedly joining in with whole-group activities. For example, as soon as a bell rings, children immediately go to the area for circle time and eagerly participate. Children develop a love of books. They recall familiar stories as they use the good range of resources that spark their engagement. Staff read to the children, pausing for them to fill in words and to ask and answer questions. Staff use successful methods to help children to manage their emotions and express how they are feeling appropriately. Children are heard to make comments such as 'I love you' and 'You can share that'.
Parents confirm how effective the communication with the setting is, including through technology and daily discussions. They comment that staff appreciate the importance of the handovers and never rush these. Parents get consultation meetings and know their children's next steps to support them at home.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help children to assess risks for themselves and consider ways to minimise these n provide opportunities for children who prefer to learn outdoors to develop their literacy skills further.
- 9 February 2023Good
- 10 May 2017Good
- 30 April 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Merriott Pre-school
- 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.