Plans are underway to establish a pioneering “forest kindergarten” nursery near Stogumber Cricket Club in rural Somerset. Rebecca Moore, founder of Lille and Wild—a local pre-school education provider based in the village of Stogumber—is leading the initiative.
The proposal involves constructing a charming log cabin-style facility on land adjacent to the eastern edge of the cricket club. Somerset Council is anticipated to make a decision on the application by early spring 2026, potentially allowing the nursery to open in time for the new school year.
The planned building will span 30 square meters, featuring an all-weather veranda to support year-round outdoor activities. The nursery aims to serve up to 20 children aged between three months and five years, offering both term-time education and holiday clubs. The facility is expected to employ four staff members.
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Representatives from Polden Planning, acting on behalf of the applicant, emphasized the project’s response to a critical local need. “Stogumber Forest Nursery will fill a gap in early childhood education within the area, which currently lacks such facilities,” they explained. “This outdoor, rural nursery will offer an exceptional environment that supports enhanced learning experiences uniquely suited to Somerset.”
The nursery’s catchment will cover several nearby villages nestled between the scenic Quantock Hills and the eastern boundary of Exmoor National Park, including Bicknoller, Crowcombe, Lydeard St Lawrence, and Monksilver. This initiative is expected to enrich the local community by providing essential early years services and supporting enrolment in the existing primary school.
The Stogumber Parish Council will review the plans at their January meeting, with Somerset Council’s final decision expected by late March 2026. Should the project receive approval, the forest kindergarten nursery is slated to open its doors by September 2026, offering a one-of-a-kind educational setting for Somerset’s youngest learners.