Welcome to theBristol Nursery SchoolsWebsite
Bristol has twelve Maintained Nursery Schools, all of which are valued and held in high regard by their communities. Bristol is proud of its long history of Maintained Nursery Schools, some of which have served for the best part of one hundred years!
Nursery schools are a key element of the early year’s sector within Bristol’s education system offering exceptional provision, rigour and accountability within the areas of most need across the city.
Why choose aNursery Schoolfor early years education?

Expert Teaching, Exceptional Outcomes
Led by qualified teachers with specialized early years expertise, Bristol Maintained Nursery Schools provide exceptional early education that gives children a strong foundation for future learning. Research shows children who attend these nurseries achieve better outcomes, with many catching up to age-appropriate development despite entering below expectations. The high-quality play-based curriculum, delivered by passionate practitioners under teacher guidance, transforms children’s lives by focusing on individual needs and creating engaging learning environments.

Family-Centered Community Support
Bristol Maintained Nursery Schools excel at supporting the whole family, not just the child. Through strong partnerships with other agencies and early intervention approaches, they ensure families are heard, understood, and appropriately supported. Each nursery sits at the heart of its community, understanding local needs and offering individualized services tailored to each unique child and family situation. This community-centered approach creates an environment where lifelong learning is valued and nurtured from the earliest years.

A Heritage of Educational Excellence
With a proud history spanning nearly a century in some cases, Bristol’s twelve Maintained Nursery Schools contribute significantly to early years education beyond their own walls. They actively share expertise and best practices through professional development training, enhancing quality across all early years providers throughout Bristol. This commitment to excellence extends their impact locally, nationally, and even internationally, helping to establish Bristol as a leader in early childhood education innovation and quality.
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What's happening acrossBristol Nursery Schools
Growing Curiosity: Broad Bean Investigation at Hartcliffe Nursery School
Beech and Chestnut Rooms at Hartcliffe Nursery School have been getting into gardening this month, with broad beans sparking brilliant curiosity and conversation. It all started with the children taking a close look at some broad bean seeds and sharing what they...
Cosy World Book Day Celebration at Cashmore Early Years Centre
Cashmore Early Years Centre had the cosiest World Book Day celebration this month, with children arriving in their pyjamas, clutching a favourite book and a cuddly toy to share with their friends. The day was filled with a love of stories, with children exploring...
Oak Class Explores Lunar New Year at St Philip’s Marsh Nursery School
Children in Oak Class at St Philip's Marsh Nursery School have been exploring the wonderful celebration of Lunar New Year this month, learning about how it is marked in different places across the world. It has been a brilliant opportunity for the children to...
Knowle West Nursery School Brings Families Together for World Book Day
Knowle West Nursery School celebrated World Book Day with a range of reading‑focused activities that brought children, families and staff together to highlight the importance of stories in early years education. Across the week, parents and carers were invited to...
Preparing for Eid at St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School
St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School have enjoyed a positive and engaging week in the Orange Room as children begin their preparations for Eid. The nursery school has been filled with enthusiasm, with children sharing their excitement and talking about the different...
New Millipede Pets Inspire Curiosity at Filton Avenue Nursery School
Filton Avenue Nursery School have welcomed some exciting new additions to Acorns Room, with the arrival of class pet millipedes. The nursery school’s new residents are Black Fire Millipedes (Centrobolus fulgidus), and they have quickly become a source of...
Little Hayes Nursery School Says Goodbye to Their Willow Tree
Little Hayes Nursery School experienced a day of mixed emotions on Friday as they said goodbye to much of their long‑standing willow tree. Although the decision was necessary for safety reasons, with the tree becoming rotten and unstable, the moment also offered a...
Exploring Numerals and Storytelling at Speedwell Nursery School
Speedwell Nursery School have been focusing on two rich areas of early years learning this term, offering children opportunities to develop their understanding of numeracy as well as their confidence in storytelling and shared reading experiences. In Owl Room, the...
Planting Progress at The Limes Nursery School Supports Hands‑On Early Years Learning
The Limes Nursery School are delighted to share the latest progress from their ongoing planting work. Over time, the children have been working with Claudia from Children’s Kitchen to grow a range of produce, including broad beans, radishes, beetroot and more....
Ilminster Avenue Nursery School Enhances Outdoor Learning Spaces with New Biodiversity Grants
Ilminster Avenue Nursery School are looking forward to further developing their outdoor learning environments this term, building on the success of their existing sensory garden. Last year, the nursery school received a £700 grant from Wild Spaces, which enabled...





















