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Nursery at Cleve House School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A coat peg marked with a photograph and name captures the approach at Cleve House Preschool: small steps towards doing things independently. Children choose activities, follow their interests and practise managing their belongings. This is the nursery provision within Cleve House School on Wells Road in Knowle, Bristol, with sessions offered for three- and four-year-olds.
Care and learning are closely connected. At the ISI inspection of 25 to 27 June 2024, early-years children were found to be progressing well through attentive care, learning shaped around their interests and cooperation between families and staff.
Play supplies the starting point, with activities led by adults alongside time for children to pursue ideas themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning about feelings, movement, language, early reading, mathematics, creativity and the world. Here, that means practical experiences: sorting everyday objects, making patterns, listening to stories and experimenting with materials. Staff observe children's play and use what interests them to plan the next steps.
Letters and Sounds supplies a named approach to early literacy. Matching games, recognising names and listening for sounds introduce connections between speech and print. Writing begins with handling pencils and other tools, then making marks in paint or sand. The home corner and dressing-up activities give children reasons to talk, invent characters and develop stories together.
Outside, a secure playground contains climbing equipment, scooters and Little Tikes cars. These give children opportunities to practise balance and coordination alongside one another. Walks extend to a nearby park. Indoors, play dough, sand and water provide smaller-scale work for hands and fingers, while music and movement activities introduce rhythm and physical control.
Tapestry connects families with preschool updates, while individual and group learning diaries record interests and development. That gives conversations about progress a connection to children's play. Before application, the usual process includes a parent meeting followed by one or two taster sessions or days for the child, providing an introduction to the setting.
The team includes a nursery manager with a Level 3 early-years qualification and preschool practitioners, including one with a Level 2 childcare qualification and paediatric first-aid training. A fruit snack is provided. Learning also includes choosing healthier food and practising manners, linking care routines with growing independence.
For children learning English alongside another language, the key person and Learning Support Coordinator plan opportunities to use their home language and develop English. Parents contribute to this work. SEND support includes a Student Passport shared with staff to explain individual support and access needs.
Health and safety oversight. In June 2024, the school needed a more systematic record of its regular safety checks so the advisory board could verify them reliably. This is a school-wide consideration for families using the preschool. Individual access needs. The admissions policy acknowledges that parts of the premises may limit access for some children; families with SEND should discuss requirements before applying so reasonable adjustments can be considered.
Preschool attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. The school's admissions policy requires an application even for children who have attended its preschool, and offers depend on space being available. Families therefore apply again directly to the school using its application form. Treat continuing into Reception as a separate decision and application, rather than an automatic consequence of nursery attendance.
The full day runs from 08:30 to 15:30. Morning sessions are 08:30 to 12:30, and afternoon sessions run from noon to 15:30. Preschool late stay extends from 15:30 to 17:00 and carries a separate charge, giving families an option beyond the main session.
Early Years Funding of 15 or 30 hours is available, subject to eligibility. The fee schedule distinguishes funded and unfunded attendance, with funding capped at six hours for a full day and three hours for a half-day session. Weekly sessions vary with term length. Contact the school for current charges and its personalised fee forecast.
Enquiries and visit requests can be made through the contact form or by calling 0117 977 7218 in term time. Withdrawal requires written notice covering a full term, received no later than that term's first day; otherwise fees in lieu apply. Build that notice period into any change of childcare plans.
The preschool fee schedule offers sessions for three- and four-year-olds.
Children use a secure playground with scooters, Little Tikes cars and climbing equipment, and take walks to a nearby park.
The preschool uses Tapestry for communication and updates, alongside learning diaries recording children's interests and development.
No. A separate application to the school is required, and admission depends on places being available.
The preschool accepts 15 and 30 hours of Early Years Funding, subject to eligibility. Its fee schedule applies funding caps of six hours for full days and three hours for half-day sessions, with separate charges for late stay.
