The education watchdog inspects services for learners of all ages - including schools, childminders, training providers, and local authorities- regularly and assigns them one of four different ratings: “Outstanding” is the top rating, followed by “Good”, “Requires Improvement” and “Inadequate.”
The classification is based on five key categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provisions.
Note that nurseries and pre-schools are not inspected every year.
Here are all the Bristol nurseries and pre-schools rated as "good" by Ofsted (as of August 14, 2024). All full reports - including category scores - are available via Ofsted’s official website.
The classification is based on five key categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provisions.
5. St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School, Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Southville, Bristol BS3 1QG
Published in March 2024, the Ofsted report for St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School reads: "The school has designed a curriculum, across most areas of learning, in which children develop their understanding in a logical order. However, in some areas of learning, the curriculum is still embedding and developing. Not all staff have the necessary expertise to deepen children’s understanding of important knowledge. Staff use their knowledge and skills to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to interact, make choices about their learning and express their opinions. Consequently, children with SEND are well supported to progress well through the curriculum. In mathematics, the focus on numbers gives children a secure foundation for future learning. Some staff use effective questioning to help children draw on what they already know and can do. For example, adults encourage children to use their prior knowledge of more or less when comparing amounts of water in two different sized jugs. However, some staff do not capitalise on opportunities to deepen children’s understanding through carefully considered conversation. " | Google Maps
6. Court House Day Nursery, 270 Wells Road, Bristol BS4 2PU
Published in July 2023, the Ofsted report for Court House Day Nursery reads: "Leaders and staff place a high focus on supporting children's communication and language skills. They use core songs and books throughout the nursery to help children to become familiar with sounds, words and rhymes. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are strong and effective. Other professionals working with children visit the setting and work closely with staff to support children's individual needs. Leaders have developed a curriculum that sets clear expectations on what they want children to learn by the end of each of the age groups within the nursery. Overall, most staff implement the curriculum well and target their teaching effectively. However, some of the staff team are not as confident, and need more support recognising how to deliver the curriculum consistently. Leaders and staff promote children's good health and independence. Children know that they need to wash their hands before they eat and after they have been to the toilet. Mealtimes are nice sociable opportunities for children and staff to sit together and eat the healthy, freshly cooked meals. Older children demonstrate independence as they serve their food and confidently use their cutlery to cut and eat their meal. Leaders access resources and local businesses to build on children's skills and knowledge. They provide children with different opportunities to learn from other professionals. For instance, children have opportunities to take part in physical play sessions when a sports coach visits and leads the sessions. However, leaders do not regularly use opportunities to extend children's understanding and experiences of the lives and cultures of people from backgrounds different to their own." | Google Maps
7. Bishopston Beanstalks, Bishopston Methodist Church, 245 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8NY
Published in July 2023, the Ofsted report for Bishopston Beanstalks reads: "Support for children's emotional development is strong. Children have a variety of ways to identify, share and manage their emotions. Staff use innovative ways to encourage children to become familiar with routines and expectations. For example, children select their own image and place it next to a tidying-up task they choose to complete. Staff are quick to identify children who need early intervention and additional support. Staff use their sharp knowledge of children's progress to support their planning. However, sometimes they do not consistently extend children's learning in a way that supports individual children, and the learning intent is lost. For example, staff sometimes miss opportunities to support and encourage children to interact with each other and form friendships. Partnerships with parents are strong. Parents share their children are very happy. They receive regular updates on their child's progress and have ideas they can try at home. n Staff identify that some children prefer to be away from the sometimes noisy and busy environment. They provide tented areas and dedicated quiet spaces with cushions and books which children access independently." | Google Maps
8. Cleo's Caring Corner Day Nursery, Parkway Methodist Church, Conduit Place, Bristol BS2 9RU
Published in July 2023, the Ofsted report for Cleo's Caring Corner Day Nursery reads: "The staff provide babies and young children with flexible settling-in sessions to enable them to gain confidence in new environments at their own pace. They gain detailed information from parents about the children's likes, dislikes, and development, which enables them to identify the children's starting points. Staff feel valued and supported by the manager. They like working in a small team and care deeply for the children. Overall, children behave well. Staff encourage the children to use good manners and share their resources. However, staff do not always take the time to fully explain to the children the reasons behind the rules of the setting. Parents speak highly of the staff at the setting. They receive detailed feedback about their child's day and their learning. Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities praise the manager for her continued support and guidance. Older children show that they can independently put on their shoes and coats. They know the importance of washing their hands and help staff by scraping their plates at mealtimes. However, staff do not extend children's independence further. For example, at mealtimes, staff serve food to children and pour their drinks for them rather than giving them a chance to try themselves." | Google Maps