--- title: "Southmead Saplings — Rated Good by Ofsted | Nursery Advice" description: "Southmead Saplings, a nursery in Bristol — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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They value detailed updates from key persons, flexible staff responses to changing family needs, and the progress children make in confidence and readiness for school." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What outdoor activities are available at Southmead Saplings?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Toddlers use an outdoor ball pit, and pre-school children take part in insect searches and imaginative play outside. The outdoor area supports active play and exploration across age groups." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Southmead Saplings support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The special educational needs coordinator works with key persons, parents, and other professionals to monitor individual needs and put support in place. This approach helps children with SEND receive targeted help matched to their development." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Southmead Saplings take babies?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery accepts children from birth to 4 years." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is English as an additional language supported at Southmead Saplings?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff support children learning English as an additional language through conversation, gestures, signs, and picture cards. They also use home-language keywords and share rhyme signs with parents to continue learning at home." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South West](/search?region=South+West) 4. Southmead Saplings # Southmead Saplings Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Feb 2023) · Somerset house, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB · Bristol Number of places 91 places Age range 0–4 yrs Last inspected Feb 2023 Local authority Bristol About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Southmead Saplings, located within the hospital grounds in Bristol, provides full day care for children aged 0 to 4. Registered in 2002, the nursery prides itself on creating a warm and engaging environment where children arrive eager to learn and separate well from their parents. The dedicated staff team, which includes 24 appropriately qualified individuals, ensures a high level of involvement in activities, adapting their approach to suit different age groups. The setting places a strong emphasis on inclusive practices, particularly for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those learning English as an additional language (EAL). The nursery excels in fostering strong relationships with parents, who consistently provide positive feedback on their children's progress and the flexibility of the staff. Children at Southmead Saplings are encouraged to explore, experiment, and develop their curiosity, with activities tailored to their individual interests. The nursery operates year-round, from 7 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays, and is in receipt of funding for free early education for two, three, and four-year-olds. What it's like Children arrive eager and keen to learn, separating well from parents as staff warmly welcome them. All children show high levels of involvement in activities. Staff use various engaging techniques, such as different tones of voice with babies and excited conversations with toddlers, to encourage interaction and focus. Pre-school children enthusiastically select from a wide range of resources and activities. They are making good progress due to the inclusive curriculum and staff responsiveness to their interests and needs. Strong parent partnerships Inclusive provision Engaging activities Supports language development SEND support ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) ## Key facts Opening hours 7am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays, all year round, excluding bank holidays. Term time / All Year All\_year Established 2002 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Southmead Saplings Inspection date Feb 2023 Inspection no. 10277006 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50211545)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY248911) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed Somerset house, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-2.59102/51.49481/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Bristol - [Day nurseries in Bristol](/search?q=Bristol) - [Day nurseries in South West](/search?q=South+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=southmead-saplings-bs10-5nb-ey248911) Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Southmead Saplings Last inspected 16 February 2023 Overall effectiveness Good What it's like to attend Children arrive eager and keen to learn, separating well from parents as staff warmly welcome them. All children show high levels of involvement in activities. Staff use various engaging techniques, such as different tones of voice with babies and excited conversations with toddlers, to encourage interaction and focus. Pre-school children enthusiastically select from a wide range of resources and activities. They are making good progress due to the inclusive curriculum and staff responsiveness to their interests and needs. Inspector highlights - Children arrive eager and keen to learn and separate well from parents. - Staff use different tones of voice to engage and encourage babies to focus on toys. - Children are considerate and know to check that their friends have moved out of the way before jumping into the pool. - Pre-school children exciteedly choose from a wide selection of different resources and activities. - The manager and staff provide an inclusive curriculum that is ambitious for all children. - Staff build strong relationships with parents and find out what children enjoy doing at home. - Children show good imagination and curiosity. Areas to develop - 1 Build on how staff support children to respect their environments and resources, to help them better manage risks and keep themselves safe. - 2 Make sure staff provide clear messages and encourage children to listen, so children know what they need to do next and can further their learning and development. Inspection #10277006 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50211545) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision There is superb support for children with SEND. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with key persons, parents, and other professionals to monitor needs and implement support to help children reach their full potential. Outdoor space Toddlers enjoy the outdoor ball pit, and pre-school children engage in activities such as searching for insects and imaginative play outdoors. EAL / language support Staff effectively support children learning English as an additional language by talking with them, using gestures, signs, picture cards, and incorporating keywords from their home languages. They also share signs for rhymes with parents to extend learning at home. Inspection history Date: February 2011 - February 2023 Good - May 2018 Good - August 2015 Good - February 2011 Good ## Frequently asked about Southmead Saplings ### What do parents value about Southmead Saplings? ### What outdoor activities are available at Southmead Saplings? ### How does Southmead Saplings support children with SEND? ### Does Southmead Saplings take babies? ### How is English as an additional language supported at Southmead Saplings? ## Nearby day nurseries in Bristol Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Southmead Saplings. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.4 mi ### Snapdragons Nursery Horfield Horfield · BS7 0BJ ](/nursery/snapdragons-nursery-horfield-bs7-0bj-ey477317) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Treehouse Nursery School Bristol · BS7 0XY 4.1(27 reviews) ](/nursery/treehouse-nursery-school-bs7-0xy-2716144) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### Manor House Nursery Bristol · BS10 5DW 3.8(45 reviews) ](/nursery/manor-house-nursery-bs10-5dw-ey408953) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### Peter Pan Nursery Bristol · BS7 8SW 4.7(9 reviews) ](/nursery/peter-pan-nursery-bs7-8sw-2609720) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Ecole Francaise De Bristol Bristol · BS10 5SJ ](/nursery/ecole-francaise-de-bristol-bs10-5sj-ey486621) - [ Ofsted rating unavailable 0.7 mi ### Lake House Day Nursery Westbury on Trym · BS10 5HG 4.8(9 reviews) ](/nursery/lake-house-day-nursery-bs10-5hg-2757465) [See all nurseries in Bristol →](/search?q=Bristol) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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