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.
Register Your Interest, Receive More Information or Request a Tour
What's happening across Bristol Nursery Schools
Wonder Baby comes to Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery Schools
Children and families at Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery Schools joined in with Wonder Baby, a show by Travelling Light Theatre Company, this month. Before the performance, families explored the props with the actors and moved to the music together. The actors...
Settling into Raindrops and Star Room at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School
Children in Raindrops and Star Room at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School have spent the first weeks of the year getting to know their key people, learning the daily routines and making new friends. Through play, conversations and time spent together, children have...
Vicky the librarian visits The Limes Nursery School
Vicky the librarian came to The Limes Nursery School this month to share stories with the children, and every child went home with a book of their own. Hearing stories read by someone new is a lovely way for children to get excited about books. The team hopes...
Bread, potatoes and shapes: maths in Class 2 at Rosemary Nursery School
Children in Class 2 at Rosemary Nursery School have been finding maths all around them this term, from counting cups of flour to sorting freshly dug potatoes by size. Bread baking gave children the chance to count cups of flour and see the difference between a half...
Play, Discover, Belong: the autumn term at Redcliffe Nursery School
Redcliffe Nursery School has a new vision this year: Play, Discover, Belong. It came from asking families last year why the nursery matters to them and their children. Alongside the vision, the nursery has five values that shape how the team works with children and...
A wasp nest, helicopter seeds and pumpkins at St Paul’s Nursery School
October at St Paul's Nursery School and Children's Centre has been all about settling in, with home visits for new families and plenty of autumn to explore in the garden. The biggest talking point was in Nursery 2, when Sid brought in a giant wasp nest. The wasps...
Chestnut and Beech classes from Hartcliffe Nursery School watch Wonder Baby
Children in Chestnut and Beech at Hartcliffe Nursery School visited Hareclive Primary School this month to watch Wonder Baby, a show by Travelling Light Theatre. The trip started with a walk through the primary school to the big hall, and the children did well...
Animal songs, a trip to Lidl and homemade pizzas at Cashmore Early Years Centre
Children at Cashmore Early Years Centre have settled into the new term with animal stories in Hippos and Giraffes, a shopping trip and pizza making in Tigers and Zebras, and a theatre visit for everyone. In Hippos and Giraffes, hello and goodbye songs are helping...
Painting, balancing and the instrument bag at St Philip’s Marsh Nursery School
Children at St Philip's Marsh Nursery School have settled into the new term with plenty of painting, climbing, balancing and music across Elm Room and Oak Class. In Elm Room, children have been making marks with pens, chalk, paint and dry-wipe boards, trying out...
Knowle West Nursery School’s trauma-informed approach
Knowle West Nursery School was the first early years setting and nursery school in the country to receive the Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award from Trauma Informed Schools UK (TISUK), in March 2024. The approach starts from a simple idea: children do...