Welcome to the Bristol Nursery Schools Website
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 a Nursery School for 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 across Bristol Nursery Schools
Sing Along With Us: Songs, Rhymes and Stories at Speedwell Nursery School
Speedwell Nursery School is delighted to share its Songs, Rhymes and Stories collection, where children and families can join Ellie, the wonderful music teacher, in singing some of the favourite songs enjoyed together at nursery. Music is a joyful and important...
Healthy Smiles: Toothbrushing and Dental Health at Little Hayes Nursery School
Children at Little Hayes Nursery School enjoyed a special focus on dental health last term, learning all about the importance of twice-daily toothbrushing and making healthy choices to look after their teeth. Caring for ourselves and making healthy choices is a...
A Joyful End to the Year at The Limes Nursery School
The Limes Nursery School has been filled with joy as children and families came together to celebrate the end of a brilliant year with special picnics. The picnics were a lovely opportunity to slow down, share food and enjoy each other's company in a relaxed and...
Planning, Making and Creating: Woodwork Skills in Star Room at Ilminster Avenue
Children in Star Room at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School have been busy developing their woodwork skills, 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...
Discover Our Core Books Videos at St Paul’s Nursery School
St Paul's Nursery School and Children's Centre is delighted to share its collection of Core Books videos on YouTube, bringing beloved stories to life for children and families to enjoy at home. Core Books are an essential part of how children learn to read. They...
A Wonderful End to the Year in Blackbirds and Seagulls at Redcliffe Nursery School
As the year draws to a close, children in Blackbirds and Seagulls at Redcliffe Nursery School have been flourishing, growing in confidence and enjoying a busy summer term full of creativity, exploration and celebration. The year was celebrated in style with a...
Celebrating the Class of 2026 at Rosemary Nursery School
Rosemary Nursery School has been celebrating a brilliant year and saying a fond farewell to its wonderful leavers across both Class 1 and Class 2, as children prepare to begin their next adventure at school in September. In Class 1, children came together for...
Stories at the Heart: Hartcliffe’s Storytelling Approach
At Hartcliffe Nursery School, storytelling and shared books are central to supporting children's communication, language and literacy development. Storytelling is far more than simply reading a book. Stories create shared experiences that foster togetherness and...
Celebrating Together at Cashmore’s Teddy Bears Picnic
This week at Cashmore Early Years Centre, children across all groups prepared for and celebrated the much-loved Teddy Bears Picnic, a special event where families come together to celebrate the nursery year and say goodbye to school leavers. The excitement built as...
A Wonderful End of Term at St Philip’s Marsh Nursery School
St Philip's Marsh Nursery School celebrated the end of term in style this week with a Teddy Bears Picnic, bringing together children, families and staff to mark the end of the school year. The Teddy Bears Picnic on Wednesday 15th July was a joyful celebration...