St Bonaventure's Pre-School

Tennis at Kings Tennis Court and cooking lessons give St Bonaventure's Pre-School a character beyond its school-site address. This Bishopston setting cares for children aged three to four, with 24 places in total, in purpose-built accommodation on the grounds of St. Bonaventure’s Church and Primary school. It is not a faith setting. Its appeal rests on preschool experiences rather than care spanning babies through to school age.

At its 3 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding, finding ambitious teaching, strong communication and language work, and carefully adapted support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The practical examples matter: conversation, imaginative play and everyday tasks were used together to develop children's learning.

Attendance is term-time, with full days, mornings and afternoons offered. That gives families different ways to organise the preschool week, while school holidays remain outside the care pattern.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, play, conversation, movement and practical tasks give children opportunities to develop those skills. In July 2024, children making pretend cakes with play dough were encouraged to explain ingredients and decorations, then look through books for further ideas. The activity connected imaginative play with language and reading, rather than treating each as a separate lesson.

Mathematics also had a practical purpose in July 2024. Children worked with numbers up to 10 and explored number and shape on walks; providing an incorrect number of cups at snack time prompted children to work out how many were needed. Children practised writing their names using both sand and paper. These examples show how early literacy and number work could grow out of a familiar task or material.

Circular Cooking gives children opportunities to experiment with food during regular cooking lessons. Mini Print Tribe provides creative exploration of materials through collaborative play, while Box of Wonders uses imagined adventures to build stories in different settings and times. These are concrete additions to the day: handling materials, trying food activities and developing a shared story each offer a different way to participate.

Outdoor and Community Life

Tennis takes place at Kings Tennis Court with a professional coach. It brings a specific sporting activity into the preschool programme, rather than relying solely on general active play. In July 2024, children also practised balancing, used balls and bats, and took part in weekly yoga, exploring movement and coordination through different activities.

The fairy garden was another part of daily life in July 2024, with children adding their own fairies to a shared space. It gave imaginative play a physical home and a contribution each child could recognise. Experiences also included the community allotment and Forest School, an approach involving outdoor exploration and learning. Those activities connected preschool life with the surrounding community.

The building's outdoor access is practical as well as inviting. Bi-fold doors lead to a large, accessible outdoor area, while the indoor space allows room between activities for mobility aids. For a child who needs physical access adaptations, the route between inside and outside matters as much as the activities themselves.

Relationships and Communication

In July 2024, songs combined actions with sign language, and staff adjusted the pace for children who were less confident communicating. Circle time included greetings in different languages. Family photographs contributed to a display that children could use to talk about home, giving conversation a familiar starting point rather than expecting every child to find a topic unaided.

Everyday independence was equally tangible in July 2024. Children cut fruit, helped arrange the snack table and cleared tables afterwards; they also practised managing coats and wellies before outings. These small responsibilities gave them opportunities to do things for themselves. The tasks were part of the day, rather than an abstract expectation that children should become ready for school.

The staff structure includes a SENCO, a maths and literacy lead and an outdoor lead. Teaching roles also cover Mandarin / Chinese and Italian. These responsibilities identify different strands of the team's work without making a staffing ratio or current group-size claim.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Wheelchair access is through the primary school's main entrance, and the toilet facilities include an accessible cubicle; changing facilities are within the school. A SENCO provides a point of contact for discussion of additional needs. Together, these arrangements give families specific access and support mechanisms to consider for their child.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective. Current arrangements include designated safeguarding lead roles in both the staff team and management committee, child-protection training and a child-protection policy and procedure.

School preparation had a clear practical shape in July 2024. Children visited the school, explored the changes involved in moving on and became familiar with routines through collaboration between staff and school. This offered preparation for the next stage; it did not confer a Reception place.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Egerton Road, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8HP, on the primary-school site. Full days run from 8.15am to 5.30pm, morning sessions from 8.15am to 1pm, and afternoons from 1pm to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Collection can take place earlier within the relevant full-day or afternoon window.

The application guidance points families towards a September start following their child's third birthday. Application forms can be requested by email, and the office handles enquiries by telephone or email. The attendance options therefore support both a shorter session and a full day, with a common term-time calendar.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education is offered for children aged three to four, alongside paid attendance. Families provide a packed lunch, with healthy choices encouraged. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

The school-site setting also needs a clear admissions distinction: attending this pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process. Familiarity with school routines can help a child prepare, but the admissions decision remains separate.

• Term-time calendar. All three attendance patterns follow school terms, and the setting closes during school holidays. Families needing care throughout the year will need arrangements for those breaks.
• Reception remains a separate application. The pre-school shares a school site and undertakes transition work, but attendance does not guarantee admission. Treat preparation and securing a school place as separate decisions.
• Activities and the quotation. Tennis, Circular Cooking, Mini Print Tribe and Box of Wonders are part of the activity offer. At a visit, ask how their costs, snacks and non-food consumables are treated within the current quotation and funded attendance.
• Access for your child. Wheelchair entry uses the primary-school entrance, with changing facilities inside the school. A visit can establish how those routes and the SENCO's support would work for your child's daily needs.

St Bonaventure's suits families seeking either morning or afternoon preschool sessions, as well as those needing a full term-time day. Its strongest case combines the Outstanding July 2024 judgement with recognisable activities: coached tennis, food experimentation and creative storytelling.

The school-site location offers a setting for transition preparation, while accessible indoor and outdoor spaces provide practical detail for families considering additional needs. The trade-offs are clear: this is care for three- and four-year-olds on a school-term calendar, and a Reception place requires its own application.