Mama Bear's Day Nursery & Pre-School, Totterdown

At its February 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged inclusion to be at a strong standard: parents helped shape individual support and staff adapted activities so children could participate. All other evaluated areas reached the expected standard, and safeguarding standards were met.

Mama Bear's Day Nursery & Pre-School, Totterdown has capacity for 79 children aged 3 to 60 months. The practical appeal is care spanning babies through to children preparing for school; the February 2026 findings also give families specific questions about indoor movement, healthy eating and self-care.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, that brings communication, physical development and growing independence into play and ordinary routines.

In February 2026, younger children sang counting rhymes while older children matched quantities to numerals and practised writing numbers on whiteboards. Books were part of children's independent play, including babies turning pages to explore pictures. These experiences connected early language and number work with activities children could join at different stages.

Language work that February also involved adults starting with simple words for younger children, then adding vocabulary through songs, stories and conversation. Hand signs and visual prompts helped children with additional needs anticipate what would happen next and express what they wanted. Communication took several forms.

Sharing was practised through games and play in February 2026. Adults explained expectations and the reasons behind them, supported children to take turns and recognised kindness. Children invited friends to dance together during singing. The emphasis was on learning how to play alongside others, as well as joining group activities.

Outdoors that February, children rode tricycles, climbed and practised balancing. Hopscotch gave counting a physical setting. Indoors, a soft-play room was used for movement sessions, but younger children needed more planned opportunities to practise climbing and coordination each day. The room alone did not meet that need.

At the February 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that staff identified developmental gaps promptly, involved parents and outside professionals in targeted support, and adapted activities to remove barriers to participation. For example, activities were brought nearer the floor so children could join in; parents helped shape developmental targets rather than simply receiving updates.

In February 2026, babies had flexible settling sessions and a key person to seek out for comfort. Older children asked adults to join their play and talked with them about their experiences. Those everyday interactions gave relationships a practical role in the nursery day.

A sensory room and an emotions board were used that February to help children who felt overwhelmed. Staff training on responding to emotions was under way, although a consistent approach across the team was still developing. This is an important distinction for families whose children need help managing strong feelings.

At mealtimes in February 2026, staff sat with children, babies practised using spoons, and older children served food themselves. Healthy meals and snacks were provided, but explanations of how food benefits the body were inconsistent.

The address is The Bush, Wells Road, Bristol, BS4 2BA. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, with care operating across the year and closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

Childcare enquiries can be made on 0117 980 3596 or through the contact form by selecting The Bush, Totterdown. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Indoor movement. In February 2026, younger children needed more regular planned climbing and balancing indoors despite using the soft-play room. On a visit, ask how these opportunities now fit into an ordinary day.
• Food education. February 2026 practice did not consistently explain the benefits of healthy foods. Families who value this can discuss how mealtime conversations help children understand their choices.
• Preparing for school. In February 2026, staff needed greater confidence in working with parents on timely self-care skills, including toilet training. Discuss how home and nursery will agree a shared approach.
• Attendance and costs. The opening window extends from early morning into the evening. Ask which booking pattern would fit your week and how funded hours, meals and consumables would be treated in your quotation.

Totterdown suits families seeking care from babyhood through the preschool years who place weight on individual support and involvement in developmental decisions. February 2026 practice combined adapted activities with familiar adults and practical learning. Indoor physical play, food education and preparation for school remain the clearest points to explore before joining.