Little Star Farrington
Based in the old school rooms of the village methodist church we are able to offer small, dedicated and focussed care for up to 25 children between the ages of 9 months to 5 years. Privaledged to be set in the middle of somerset countryside Little Stars at Farrington have a deep rooted connection to nature fostered through the integration of indoor and outdoor learning : on site in our gardens and further afield as we discover and value life in the forests and fields around us.
Through a pedagogy of love, kindness and challenge we strive to prepare our children with the fundamental skills of acceptance, empathy, determination and belief in their own abilities in order for every child to shine!
Staffing
They say children laugh 300 times a day whereas adults less than 20. Well, here at Little Star Nursery we aim to re dress that balance as staff laugh and learn alongside the children.
All of our staff at both settings are highly qualified, experienced and passionate about working with children. A commitment to on going training and professional development means they deliver care and learning that is relevant, appropriate, fresh and above all fun.
On starting with us, all children are assigned a key person, whose role it is to provide that personal care and attention to whole family. We offer home visits which help the child form an attachment and special relationship wit their member of staff and also provides an opportunity for families to discuss what their wishes are for their child’s time with us.
All staff are CRB checked and have regular up to date training in child protection (including Prevent training) , first aid and food hygiene.
Kate Rule
Co-owner and Manager
Kate Rule is the co-owner and manager of Little Stars, Farrington, establishing the nursery in 2008. With an Early Years Teacher qualification as well as a Masters degree in Early childhood studies she seeks to bring her creativity and passion for childcare and child’s play to the setting. She is Safeguarding lead and SENCO as well as Equal Opportunities Officer.
“What I love about this job is the joy of laughing with the children, of having a deep conversation with a 4 year old about saving their friends from zombies. I love the madcap chaos of the child’s world and having the courage to enter it with them”
Daniella Marchant
Co-Deputy Manager
Daniella Marchment is the Co-Deputy Manager. She has been at the setting since 2016 and manages the Rising Star room for the under 3 year olds. Dani is the deputy safeguarding lead and holds relevant level 3 qualification.
Most used phrase: probably something like: “Would you like sleeping bunnies or Nelly the Elephant?” or “let’s go try for a wee!”
Sophie Jeffries
Co-Deputy Manager
Sophie Jeffries works alongside Dani in a shared deputy manager role with the Rising Stars. Another who has been with us since a student, she first came to us when doing work experience in year 10 and now holds a level 6 degree (as well as 2 children of her own!)
We’d all like Sophie’s chosen super power; “Just a ‘bewitched’ moment: with a twitch of the nose everything will be tidy!”
Jess Adams
Early Years Graduate
Jess Adams is a newly qualified Early Years Graduate, having achieved her Early Childhood Studies L6 degree in 2024. She works across all age groups and brings her unbounded enthusiasm for working with children and has from the start with us as a student on placement, embraced the Little Star ethos.
Favourite aspect of the job: “I love going outside with the children whether this be in the garden, a walk or an adventure to the woods!”
Sarah Mowatt
Forest School Practitioner
Sarah Mowat has been working with Little Stars since 2019. Holding a level 3 Forest School practitioner along with her childcare level 3, she is passionate about bringing the joys of the natural world to the very young to enhance their learning and development.
“I want children to set their own challenges and manage their own risks in order for them to build resilience: a skill for life!”
Nadine Bailey
Nadine Bailey works across the age groups. Starting with us when we opened in 2008 she has helped us achieve healthy eating award and a level 1 forest school as well as childcare level 3 qualification.
Nadine is our ‘autism champion’ and works closely with one to one support for those children needing additional help.
Her chosen dinner party guest? “Jeremy Clarkson so we can talk about farming, pubs and cars”
Chloe Timbrell
Chloe has been brought up on the Little Star ethos, having completed her level 3 childcare qualification as an apprentice in 2018. Working currently with the Rising Stars at Farrington she brings much fun and laughter!
Most desired super power? “It would be to be invisible so I could win at hide and seek!”
Tina Taylor
Cleaner
Tina Taylor is our much loved and very valued member of the team working as our cleaner: but being so much more than that in the eyes of the children here.
Her dedication is that she has been with us from the very beginning and we sincerely hope that she is with us to the end! For those of us who know us… she certainly earns her money!!
“My super power would be to have a magical wand with fairy dust: abracadabra my work is done!”
Nicki Black
Cook
Nicki has worked as cook with us since 2020 and is a professionally trained chef with a level 2 catering qualification. Also holding a level 2 teaching assistant certificate she assists as chilcare assistant in the nursery.
“My super power would be to read minds so I know what the children would want to eat each day!”
Session Times & Fees
Session prices for ALL children during which EYE funding can be applied:
| Session 1 | 8.30am – 12.30pm | £35.00 |
| Session 2 | 8.30am – 1.30pm | £43.75 |
| Session 3 | 8.30am – 3.30pm | £61.25 |
Additional hours during which EYE funding cannot be applied:
| Hourly wrap around (7.30am – 8.30am; 5.30pm – 6.00pm) | Hourly after 3.30pm | |
| 0 – 2 years | £12.00 | £10.90 |
| 2 – 3 years | £12.00 | £9.50 |
| Over 3 years | £12.00 | £8.75 |
Additional consumable fees:
| Breakfast and morning snack | £4.00 |
| Full cooked lunch | £4.50 |
| Afternoon snack (served before 3.30pm) | £2.00 |
| Tea (served at 4.30pm) | £2.00 |
Please see our separate food and drink policy for more information on the food supplied at Little Star Nursery as well as our 3 week menus.
For information on EYE funding and fees please see the fees and admissions page
