The Brambles Day Nursery — Pen Elm, Taunton

Outstanding childcare in Taunton, where little explorers grow with confidence.

Taunton's very best childcare provision

A warm, nature-led day nursery in Pen Elm — caring early years education, Forest School several times a week, freshly prepared meals, and a home-from-home for children from babies to pre-school.

Contact us Explore our rooms

our woodland

Outstanding Ofsted
2021 inspection
3 months – 4y 11m
Babies to pre-school
7:45am – 6:00pm
Monday to Friday
Forest School
Several times a week
Freshly cooked meals
On-site, 4-weekly menu
Funding available
15, 30 hours + 2y, stretched

Welcome to Brambles

A nursery built around care, curiosity and confidence.

At The Brambles, children are seen as individuals. We create a warm, stimulating and caring environment where children can explore, build confidence, develop independence — and feel safe enough to be themselves.

The four words on every wall

curiosity
kindness
courage
care

Pick an age

Find the right space for your little one.

Tap a card. We'll show you the room that fits.

A day at Brambles

What a day looks like.

Follow the path through a typical day — from arrival to handover.

1
Arrival & warm welcome
Doors open at 7:45am. A key person greets each family at the door.
2
Morning play
Free choice — blocks, role-play, mark-making, instruments.
3
Snack time
From 9:00am — milk, fruit, breadsticks, crackers or cereal.
4
Outdoor learning and Forest School
Out into the woodland for bug-hunts, mud-kitchen and woodland maths.
5
Lunch from the Brambles Kitchen
Freshly cooked, sat together between 11:45 and 12:30, conversation encouraged.
6
Rest & quiet time
Naps for the littlest, books and quiet corners for everyone else.
7
Creative learning
Painting, printing, junk-modelling and woodland nature craft.
8
Outdoor learning and Forest School
More fresh-air time in the garden and woodland — exploring, building and outdoor play.
9
Afternoon tea
A light afternoon tea together — sandwiches, fruit and a warm drink to refuel.
10
Home time handover
A proper handover — what they made, what they tried, what they loved.

Stop 1
Arrival & warm welcome
Doors open at 7:45am. A key person greets each family at the door.
Stop 2
Morning play
Free choice — blocks, role-play, mark-making, instruments.
Stop 3
Snack time
From 9:00am — milk, fruit, breadsticks, crackers or cereal.
Stop 4
Outdoor learning and Forest School
Out into the woodland for bug-hunts, mud-kitchen and woodland maths.
Stop 5
Lunch from the Brambles Kitchen
Freshly cooked, sat together between 11:45 and 12:30, conversation encouraged.
Stop 6
Rest & quiet time
Naps for the littlest, books and quiet corners for everyone else.
Stop 7
Creative learning
Painting, printing, junk-modelling and woodland nature craft.
Stop 8
Outdoor learning and Forest School
More fresh-air time in the garden and woodland — exploring, building and outdoor play.
Stop 9
Afternoon tea
A light afternoon tea together — sandwiches, fruit and a warm drink to refuel.
Stop 10
Home time handover
A proper handover — what they made, what they tried, what they loved.

Forest School

Woodland adventures — in the safe grounds of our nursery.

Our Forest School runs several times a week, led by qualified practitioners on our own grounds. Children are viewed as equal and unique — given the opportunity to explore and discover, experiencing appropriate risks and challenges.

Step into the woods

Curriculum

Learning through play, discovery and everyday moments.

our days

The Brambles Kitchen

Freshly prepared meals for busy little learners.

Every meal is cooked on-site, on a 4-weekly rotating menu. We grow some of our own fruit and veg in the garden, cater for all dietary needs, and offer vegetarian (quorn) options.