Barley Wood Nursery

Long Lane, Wrington, Bristol BS40 5SA
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9.7 41 Reviews
  • Barley Wood Nursery, Bristol
Barley Wood Nursery in Wrington, Somerset, offers places for children aged from three months to five years old.

Rabbits - from 3 months to 2 years
Badgers – from 2 to 3 years
Foxes and Owls – from 3 years to school age

The nursery is set within 11 acres of private parkland and woodland, offering a play-based curriculum both within the nursery and the grounds of Barley Wood.

The nursery has a forest school approach, offering children opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment.

Children enjoy their freedom to explore the open space, have fun and learn through play.

Outdoor activities include nature exploration, woodland walks, den building, campfires, obstacle courses and visits to the pond.

Care Provided by Barley Wood Nursery

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Rebecca Rudge (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 25
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 1076434
  • Total Places for Children
  • 90
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Barley Wood Nursery

  • £62.50 per full day, 8am - 6pm, excluding meal charges.
    7.30am starts available.


  • Parking
  • Barley Wood Nursery has its own private car park


Total of 41, showing 1-20
9.7

Barley Wood Nursery has a Review Score of 9.7 (9.718) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Barley Wood Nursery has 41 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

If your child loves being outside then this is the perfect nursery for you. The private grounds include woods where the children can make
campfires, Italian gardens with far-reaching views and lawned areas perfect for the summer. The children get outside twice a day no matter the weather which I think
is very important for their mental and physical health. My daughter started in rabbits when she turned 1 and my new arrival is already on the list to join in 2026. I fully trust the staff at Barley Wood and they work really hard to develop a relationship with you and create a family environment. Invoices are easy to read and questions are answered promptly. Barley Wood use the app where you can view your child's meals and sleep and photos are taken throughout the week to show you what your child has been doing. Breastfeeding is supported and the baby room works with you to help with any weaning, or sleep issues. I love Barley Wood and wouldn't trust my children with anyone else!

Reply from Rebecca Rudge, Nursery Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for such a lovely review. We are so pleased that you have had such a good experience with your child here. We are very lucky to have such a choice of what to explore each day with our outside areas. I am pleased that you agree that our staff really do some amazing work, working closely with families to develop relationships and support settling with new children. We look forward to welcoming your new arrival next year. Thank you again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Barley Wood Nursery has a warm welcoming environment. The nursery is set within woodland, allowing this setting to be incorporated into the children's learning as much as possible. The individual needs of the children are well met. I found it to be a safe place for my Granddaughter to be. The staff
are approachable, welcoming and knowledgeable.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to write a review. We are very pleased that you find the setting to have a warm welcoming environment. The staff work hard to create an environment where children feel safe and nurtured. We are extremely lucky to have the grounds that we do and know that children learn so much from exploring the outdoor environment, it is definitely our favourite place to be!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend Barley Wood enough. Both my children are currently at Barley Wood and I could not be more happier with the nursery. The setting is second to none, the children play in the woods, explore the Italian gardens, look for big bad Barry (the fish), make a campfire, roll down the hill, and
are out and about in all weathers, even the babies.
My children are so happy there, they have lots of wonderful friends, eat delicious looking food and are looked after with such care and attention.
The staff are amazing: compassionate, kind, fun, patient and fair. They know the children individually and really care about each and every one.
I wish every child could have access to a nursery like Barley Wood.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for this fabulous review. We are so pleased that you have had such a positive experience at Barley Wood with both of your children. We are very proud of the amazing and unique outdoor environment that we have, where children's imaginations are inspired and encouraged. I am so pleased that you agree, our staff are amazing! We believe that every child should have access to high-quality education and they put so much effort into caring and nurturing the children. Thank you again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

If you're looking for a nursery, the search is over. This nursery is absolutely incredible with the most amazing surroundings and staff which, combined, create the most incredible environment for your child to thrive in. From the kitchen staff to the team and the management, they are all entirely focused
on the happiness and development of your child. The team are best in class and do the most amazing job. I would happily recommend this nursery to all parents and I'm so grateful for everything they've done for my daughter over the last two and a half years. Wishing the deputy manager and the team continued success and thank you for everything.

Reply from Sophie Pearce, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're happy to hear that you have had such a positive experience with us. Creating a warm, nurturing environment where children can truly thrive is our top priority, and it means so much to us to hear your feedback. We're grateful for the trust you've placed in us over the past two and a half years, thank you for your kind words and wishing you and the family all the best, and please stay in touch!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started nursery two months ago and I was very nervous but the staff were very reassuring and kept me updated through the day with how she was doing. Whilst she doesn't like drop-off (not many babies do) I can tell that she loves in when she is there! I have been sent photos of her full of
smiles and having fun. The staff always give me an update when I collect her as to how she has been during the day and the things they have done which is so nice to hear. She is developing so well since being there and seeing other kids moving around and playing and is picking up a lot from that. They are a great nursery, staff are amazing and great value for money. I couldn't be happier and would always recommend them.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a lovely review. I am so pleased to hear what a positive experience you and your daughter are having at Barley Wood. As you say, she does love it when she is with us. I am glad that you find the updates reassuring. We want parents to feel confident that their children are safe, happy and learning. The staff work hard to ensure the setting is a nurturing yet exciting environment for the children. Best wishes, Natalie.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I honestly can't imagine a better nursery. The location, facilities, access to variety of outdoors and then the staff. I think it's rare in life to meet people who are so clearly spending their days doing something that they were meant to do. They do it with skill and expertise but also with such care
and love.
Can't rate it all highly enough!

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much. What a lovely review! We are so proud of our team... they are amazing and very passionate about creating the best possible environment for the children we care for. I will pass on your feedback, I know they will appreciate it. Best wishes, Natalie.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our little boy started at 11 months old and we've been so happy with his experience. The staff are kind, caring, take a genuine interest in each child and as a result, form genuine bonds with them. The outdoor space is great and they spend a lot of time enjoying it through all the seasons - which is
what we were looking for in a nursery for him. We are so happy with Barley Wood Nursery, I would fully recommend it.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review. It means so much to us to hear your feedback and know how happy you are with the care that your little boy gets whilst at nursery. We are so lucky to have the most beautiful grounds to explore. We place such importance on children learning through the outdoors and have the perfect backdrop to explore seasons, wildlife and natural curiosity. Thank you for your recommendation. Best wishes, Natalie.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Barley Wood Nursery since February 2024 and he loves it! They get the children outside twice a day to explore the vast grounds and they do lots of fun and varied activities, indoors and out, such as arts and crafts, baby yoga, soft play and water play. The staff are all very
friendly and take time to give feedback at the end of every session. I would strongly recommend this nursery.

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much, we are very pleased that your son has settled so well at Barley Wood and is enjoying all the activities on offer. We love being outdoors and making the most of our beautiful grounds. I will pass your feedback on to the team, they really do go that extra mile to ensure everyone feels welcome, so thank you for your recommendation. Best wishes, Natalie.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had three children attend this nursery and it is, by far, the best.
So much so, I have moved since they had started going and I still commute to this nursery. It is worth the time in the morning to ensure my girls have the best early years development and experience.
They go outside, rain
or shine, and they do lots of activities to encourage skills which I wouldn't have the opportunity to do at home. They make campfires and cook things for snack time.
The girls look forward to going and often speak about their time at nursery with such excitement. They also have a clever app which they upload pictures of your child playing. They also inform you of what they have eaten that day along with other important information.
The staff are lovely and make an effort to know you and your family so they can support your children the best.
I wouldn't send my children anywhere else!

Reply from Natalie Purkiss, Head of Childcare at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a lovely review. We are very proud of the team and the effort they make to ensure the children have the best experience possible. I will pass your feedback to them, I know they will appreciate it. Best wishes, Natalie.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been so impressed with Barley Wood nursery. Our daughter flourished there and I am so pleased we chose Barley Wood as her nursery. They have nurtured her and also really helped with her learning, while also creating such a fun environment with so many daily activities and outdoor time. I would
absolutely recommend the nursery.

Reply from Rebecca Rudge, Nursery Deputy Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for providing this review. The staff at Barley Wood Nursery really support progression on an individual basis and know the children really well. We often bring our outdoor learning inside and are lucky to explore our vast outdoor areas.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My 2 daughters attend Barley Wood. One is about the leave for school and has had a very happy time in the 2+ years she’s been at nursery. The staff are so caring, nurturing and treat the children with huge respect and you can see that both children and staff really care for each other and have fun together,
while also learning at the same time. The atmosphere at the nursery is great and the outdoor space is very special - allowing the children to explore the vast gardens and woodlands daily.
My youngest has also settled in well since she started 6 months ago. Again the staff in the babies room really do care about all the kids and we really feel lucky to have a trusted place for them to spend their time. My youngest loves her keyworker and the other staff in her room and goes in with a big smile every day.

Reply from Rebecca Rudge, Nursery Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to review our setting and what we offer to our families. Our dedicated and highly professional team work hard to provide a nurturing environment to enable all children to flourish and we are all appreciative of your kind words.
As a team, we all work well together and we are all very proud to go above and beyond expectations to serve and support our Barley Wood community.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Barley Wood has been wonderful for our son. He transferred from another setting when we moved, and we were impressed by how warm, flexible and creative the whole team are. Our son has gained hugely in confidence and always surprises us with things he has learnt. They use songs and lots of outdoor experiences
to subtly teach both curriculum and life skills. Our son has used breathing techniques they have taught when upset and guided his sister using their conflict resolution skills. Thoroughly recommend this lovely and supportive nursery.

Reply from Rebecca Rudge, Nursery Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so fortunate to have such an amazing staff team here at Barley Wood who excels at tuning into the individual needs of our children to support their wider understanding, knowledge and development.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Barley Wood Nursery has been amazing with my little one since he started there. He has come on so much and it's because the staff have took the time with him, I couldn't ask for a better day nursery there is not a day where my son doesn't enjoy going in. He loves the outdoors and is learning so much

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so fortunate to have such an amazing staff team here at Barley Wood who excel at tuning into the individual needs of our children to support their wider understanding, knowledge and development, and to promote a love of exploration and sense of curiosity that will stand as a firm foundation for their future learning.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Superb nursery, where the kids spend as much time outside as possible. Great staff team, friendly, caring, helpful, and professional. Fantastic care is taken over food and mealtimes. Our daughter has thrived there.

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for your review of our setting. Our professional and caring staff team always seek to provide a wealth of learning opportunities, both indoors and out. We are proud of our food offer, and endeavour to make mealtimes a friendly and social experience for the children.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Barley Wood Nursery is such a wonderful nursery and we feel incredibly lucky to have been part of the Barley Wood family since 2019! Our eldest child started in September 2019 and will leave this year for school. He has had the most well-rounded, nurturing, supportive, creative and explorative environment
around him in which to flourish. Thanks to the true passion, care and dedication of the fantastic team at Barley Wood, he has developed a deep love of learning about every aspect of the world around him and grown an emotional understanding and resilience to build rock solid friendships. Our youngest child will be at Barley Wood for another 2 years and we are so excited for her to continue to enjoy the beautiful grounds around the nursery, to attend the nursery fairs, to play a part in the nursery nativity and to thrive every day with the energy, love and compassion shown to her by the team. Thank you, Barley Wood Nursery for everything you do!

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to review our setting and the service we offer. Our dedicated and highly professional team work hard to provide a truly nurturing environment to enable all children to flourish and to create strong foundations for future learning, and we are all appreciative of your kind words. As a team, we are all very proud to go above and beyond expectations to serve and support our Barley Wood community.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have twins who adore their time at Barley Wood, they have so much fun and have been well looked after there since when they started in 2020. The staff are all amazing and really supportive. The relationships they build with the children are wonderful to see. It is a great place, so full of character
and charm. I am going to be really sad when the twins have to leave in August to start school.
A very magical place.

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. It is always a joy to welcome children each day and to support them to build relationships whilst they grow and learn. Our amazing outdoor spaces including our lovely woodlands enable children to explore and flourish, and to develop their confidence levels across all areas of learning ready for positive transitions to school.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great nursery, very caring and good systems in place to help my child integrate. Lots of outdoor play and home-cooked food. I feel staff really know my two boys well and support them to have fun days.

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for your review of our nursery. We are fortunate to have a wealth of outdoor exploration opportunities that enable children to learn and develop across all areas of our curriculum. Our amazing staff team invest a great deal in getting to know the children well to support them to flourish as individuals here at Barley Wood.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Barley Wood Nursery is a great nursery and our son really enjoys his time there. The woodland setting is unbeatable for outside adventures which he loves! The staff are incredible and work so hard to make sure the children have a really positive and enriching experiences while they are there. We recently
welcomed a new baby into our family and I can’t speak highly enough of the staff as they supported both our son and us as a family through the changes that come with a sibling.

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for your feedback. Our woodland setting provides so many opportunities for children to explore and create adventures on a daily basis. We love the range of experiences we are able to offer, and our team excels at supporting families through all of life's transitions in their early years.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery. Staff are very friendly, make the time at the started and end of the day to ask/tell you about what your child has done and put photos on the app.
Our child has become much more confident and talkative.
The food menu is varied and changed regularly. There is lots of outdoor space
for the children to play, along with lots of toys and activities.
I would definitely recommend Barley Wood Nursery.

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to provide a review. The staff love sharing details with parents of the children's daily adventures and it is always a pleasure to showcase our wonderful environments with photos on the app. The freshly prepared meals on our menu are always welcome when children have been busy working up their appetites in our great outdoors!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little one loves going to Barley Wood Nursery and he always comes home tired and happy. The building is a bit tired and ramshackle, but it certainly has character. I love the fact that they are always outside, getting muddy and playing in the woods. The staff are lovely and apparently my 2-year-old
eats vegetables whilst there as well, which is some sort of miracle.
My 3 Star answers reflect the fact I have never actually been into the nursery so have no idea about cleanliness, or ICT!

Reply from Adele Parsons, Manager at Barley Wood Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to provide a review of our setting - your feedback is most welcome! We are fortunate to have so many amazing outdoor spaces that provide a wealth of opportunities for young children to explore and we have now embarked on a programme of investment to redecorate our lovely Grade II Listed building both indoors and out, whilst still maintaining our charm and character!


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Current Review Score: 9.7 (9.718)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.7 (9.718) out of 10 for Barley Wood Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.8 out of 5 from 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.940 for Barley Wood Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (157 Excellents x 5) + (10 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 167 Ratings = 4.94

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.778 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Barley Wood Nursery is based on 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 90 number of registered child places is 18. 14 Positive Reviews ÷ 18 = 0.778

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (2)

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Meet the Team (2)

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Rebecca Rudge

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2019

Higher National Diploma in Education Studies, specialising in Early Years.


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Sophie Pearce

Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager

Joined: 2018

Level 3 Children's Care, Learning and Development
Level 3 in Special, Education Needs


Frequently Asked Questions about Barley Wood Nursery

What is the Age Range of Children that Barley Wood Nursery accepts?

Barley Wood Nursery accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Barley Wood Nursery Open?

Barley Wood Nursery is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Barley Wood Nursery have capacity for?

Barley Wood Nursery has capacity for a total of 90 Children.

How far is Barley Wood Nursery to the centre of Bristol?

9.3 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.