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
Bread, toothbrushes and a giant rainbow at Rosemary Nursery School
Children at Rosemary Nursery School have been settling into the nursery day this month, with Class 1 starting some new weekly routines and Class 2 exploring the colours of the rainbow. In Class 1, bread making is now part of group time on Tuesday mornings and...
How children learn to write at Hartcliffe Nursery School
At Hartcliffe Nursery School, the aim is for every child to see themselves as a mark-maker, writer, author and illustrator, using the marks they make to share their ideas, thoughts and feelings. Writing starts long before children hold a pencil properly. Children...
Settling in at Cashmore Early Years Centre this autumn
Children have started and returned at Cashmore Early Years Centre this month. For the first few weeks, the priority is helping each child get to know their key people and the other children in their group. Staff are spending this time helping children find the...
A new term begins at St Philip’s Marsh Nursery School
New children and families have joined St Philip's Marsh Nursery School this month, and returning children are back too. They are making new friends and getting to know their key person. Children start gradually, so each one gets more individual attention while they...
A Warm Welcome to the New Term at Knowle West Nursery School
Knowle West Nursery School has welcomed returning families and new friends to the start of the new academic year, with the staff team busy helping everyone settle into their routines. The term began with the team visiting lots of children and families at home,...
Settling In and Zooming Ahead: A Busy Start to the Term at St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School
Children across St Werburgh's Park Nursery School have made a fantastic start to the new term, settling into their rooms, building new friendships and bringing the core book Zoom! by Trish Cooke to life in lots of creative ways. In Rainbow Room, the team has been...
A Warm Welcome to Acorns Room at Filton Avenue Nursery School
Acorns Room at Filton Avenue Nursery School has welcomed children back for the start of a new term, with familiar faces returning and lots of new children and families joining for the first time. The children have been busy settling into their new environment,...
Settling In and Getting Started: The New Term Begins in Oak Room at Little Hayes Nursery School
It has been a busy and happy start to the term in Oak Room at Little Hayes Nursery School, with the team re-settling returning children, welcoming those moving up from Willow Room, and greeting new children and their families. Settling in and building relationships...
Settling In and Getting Started: The New Term Begins at Speedwell Nursery School
It has been a busy and happy start to the term at Speedwell Nursery School, with the team re-settling returning children, welcoming those moving up from Willow Room, and greeting new children and their families. Settling in and building relationships has been the...
A Wonderful Start to the Term in Willow Class at The Limes Nursery School
It has been a wonderful start to the term in Willow Class at The Limes Nursery School, with both returning and new children settling in beautifully. The children have been getting to know each other, building new friendships and developing confidence as they...