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
Keeping Cool and Exploring Water Play: Yellow Room’s Week of Discovery
Yellow Room at St Werburgh's Park Nursery School has been finding lots of creative ways to stay cool and engaged during the warm weather, with water play offering wonderful opportunities for exploration, creativity and shared learning experiences. Over the past...
Fond Farewells and Wonderful Gifts: A Celebration of Johnny, Gavin and Liz
Filton Avenue Nursery School is saying a bittersweet farewell to Johnny, Gavin and Liz, who will be retiring in the coming weeks after many years of dedication to the nursery and the countless children they have taught and cared for. Johnny, Gavin and Liz will be...
Big Movements, Bear Hunts and Woodwork: June Learning at Speedwell Nursery School
This term at Speedwell Nursery School, children across both Wren Room and Owl Class have been getting active, building coordination skills, developing descriptive language through storytelling and, in Owl Class, learning to use real tools with precision. Following...
Staying Safe Around Water: Little Hayes Meets Rob from SARA
Little Hayes Nursery School welcomed a special visitor this month - Rob Burrows, a volunteer with SARA - to teach the children about water safety and learn about the important work rescue teams do. SARA supports the police and emergency services across the Severn...
Robins Hatch in Our New Bird Boxes: Nature’s Learning at Ilminster Avenue
There has been great excitement at Ilminster Avenue Nursery School following a special discovery in the outdoor area - a family of robins has made one of the newly installed bird boxes their home, and the eggs have now hatched. Earlier this year, bird boxes were...
From Seed to Plate: The Limes Nursery School Celebrates the Allotment Harvest
The Limes Nursery School is so proud of all the vegetables that have been grown in the allotment this year, and this week Green Room had the wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. The children made a delicious stew with the vegetables they...
Sunshine, Shapes and Special Visitors: A Busy Week at The Limes Nursery School
The Limes Nursery School has made the most of recent warm weather, with children across all rooms enjoying outdoor learning, physical activities and some wonderfully special moments. In Willow Room, children have been making the most of the lovely weather with lots...
What Makes Redcliffe Nursery School Special
Redcliffe Nursery School has been serving the Redcliffe community for over 50 years as a Bristol City Council-maintained nursery. It has evolved to become a Centre of Excellence, recognised across the wider early years teaching community for its exemplary approach...
Roots, Wings and Anchors: What Early Maths Really Looks Like for Young Children
St Paul's Nursery School and Children's Centre has published a thought-provoking blog post exploring how early mathematics develops through everyday moments and conversations with children. The post is rich with practical examples of how parents and carers can...
Join The Children’s Kitchen Food Sessions at Hartcliffe Nursery School
Hartcliffe Nursery School is running weekly food sessions with The Children's Kitchen every Wednesday morning from 8.30 to 10am in the Badger Room, offering support and practical help to parents and carers. The sessions provide a wonderful opportunity for families...