Ilminster Avenue Nursery School

Dear Parents and Carers,

Due to the extreme weather conditions forecast for the coming days, we have made the difficult decision to close the nursery on Wednesday and Thursday.

As we care for some of the most vulnerable children, their health, safety, and wellbeing must remain our highest priority. The extreme temperatures expected make it difficult for us to provide a safe environment for all children and staff.

We would also encourage parents and carers to collect their children at lunchtime today, where possible, before temperatures reach their highest levels later this afternoon.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support as we take these precautionary measures.

Thank you,
Ilminster Avenue Nursery

We’ve had some very exciting visitors at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School 🐦

A family of robins has hatched in our new bird boxes, installed through the Nature Park Grant, and the children have loved watching the parents feed their chicks and seeing them grow.

Visit our website to read more.

Robins Hatch in Our New Bird Boxes - Ilminster Avenue Nursery School There has been great excitement at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School after a special discovery in our outdoor area. Earlier this year, bird boxes were installed as part of the Nature Park Grant, and we are delighted to share that a family of robins has made one of them their home. Even more excitingly...

Raindrops and Snowdrops had a great morning exploring paint and water.
Being creative and exploring large scale mark making.

Children in Star Room at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School have been exploring woodwork, learning to use hammers and nails safely as they planned and created their own models.

They are now building on these skills and will soon be introduced to hand held drills 🔨✨

Visit our website to read more.

Confident Creators in the Star Room - Ilminster Avenue Nursery School Children in Star Room at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School have been busy developing their skills in woodwork, exploring what it means to plan and make their own models. Last term, children were introduced to woodwork for the first time. They learnt how to use real tools such as hammers and nails, wit...

Welcome to Term 6 at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School! This final term is set to be a brilliant one, with the children working towards our end-of-year concert as part of our curriculum focus "Contribute to a Musical Performance." They will be exploring xylophones and chime bars, building their confidence and resilience, and developing skills across literacy, maths, and so much more.

We also have a very exciting visit from Twinnies Alpaca on Wednesday, 15th July, bringing lots of farm animals along to meet the children! Families of children moving to primary school in September will also find some helpful guidance in this newsletter on key skills to practise over the summer.

Visit our website to read the newsletter in full.

June Newsletter 2026 – Term 6 - Ilminster Avenue Nursery School Coming up in June’s newsletter from Ilminster Avenue Nursery School, you can read about the start of Term 6 and a packed final term of learning and celebration. This term’s curriculum focus is “Contribute to a Musical Performance”, with the children developing skills across all areas of lear...

Learning to use the potty or toilet is a big milestone for every child, and knowing where to start can make the process feel much less daunting. This helpful video breaks potty training down into three manageable stages: preparation, practice, and stopping using nappies, with practical guidance to help you and your child approach the journey gradually and with confidence.

Potty and Toilet Training: The Three Stages - Ilminster Avenue Nursery School Learning to use the potty or toilet is a big milestone for every child, and knowing where to start can make the process feel much less daunting. This helpful video breaks potty training down into three manageable stages: preparation, practice, and stopping using nappies, with practical guidance to h...

📚 SEND Transitions Support - Free Online Sessions from Bristol Parent Carer Forum!

Two sessions to help families prepare for big school moves:
🎒 Starting Reception with SEND - Tuesday 7th July, 7-8pm
🎒 Moving to Year 7 with SEND - Wednesday 8th July, 7-8pm

Both online and free to attend.

Book at: linkbristolparentcarers.org.uk/gethelp

We're so proud to be hosting the Gympanzees Pop Up from 5th–23rd August, as they celebrate an incredible 10 years! Specialist equipment, inclusive activities and a warm welcome for disabled children, young people and their families.

Pre-booking essential. Watch this space for session dates and booking details coming soon! 💜

10 years. 10 Pop Ups. One big Gympanzees celebration 💜

This August, Gympanzees turns 10, and we’re celebrating in the best way we know how.

Whilst work continues on getting our permanent centre open, our much-loved Gympanzees Pop Up is coming back for the 10th time!

Join us from 5 August to 23 August at (pre-booking essential):

Ilminster Avenue Nursery
Ilminster Avenue
Bristol
BS4 1BX

For the past decade, we’ve been working towards a world where disabled children, young people and their families can move, play, connect and belong without barriers.

This final Pop Up, before opening the centre next year, will give families another chance to enjoy specialist equipment, inclusive activities and the warm Gympanzees welcome they know and love.

More details, including sessions dates and booking information, will be shared soon. For now, save the dates, and look out for more info in coming weeks.

We can’t wait to celebrate 10 years of Gympanzees with you 💜

Image description: A child in a go-cart smiles. A nearby person pushes the cart. The image includes colourful graphics of a party monkey, confetti, and a cake with candles. Text reads: “Summer Pop Up 2026. Gympanzees is turning 10 this August, and we’re celebrating the best way we know how. 5th - 23rd August 2026, Ilminster Avenue Nursery, Bristol, BS4 1BX. Booking details coming soon!” Gympanzees logo is at the bottom.

We are having a stay and play session on Wednesday 22nd July at 10 AM for all 2 year old children that would like to join us in September. Pop along, you can meet the team and have a look around our wonderful setting 😊

☕ Family Hubs Coffee Morning - Wednesday 6th May
Join us at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School on 6th May, 11.15am-12.30pm to meet the Family Hubs team and find out about support for families including parenting, childcare, health & wellbeing, SEND support and much more.

Come along for a chat - we'd love to see you!

https://ilminsterchildren.com/2026/04/27/family-hubs-coffee-morning-at-ilminster-avenue-nursery-school/