Redcliffe Nursery School: play, food and forest adventures

A child-height kitchen and woodland trips give Redcliffe's nursery day its distinctive shape. This Bristol maintained nursery school provides places for children aged two, three and four at Spencer House on Ship Lane. Blackbirds takes children from two; Seagulls serves three- and four-year-olds, organised into five key groups of approximately 12 children.

The purpose-built building has one level, with a central communal room and movement between indoor and outdoor play. Children can follow an interest across both spaces. This is a nursery school in its own right, so moving to primary school means moving to another setting.

Play provides the starting point for learning. Staff use children's interests and observations to plan experiences within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): building language, mathematical thinking and independence through play and everyday routines. Seagulls children have substantial time to choose activities indoors and outside, while fruit and milk breaks bring their key group together for conversation.

Food Project sessions turn ingredients into materials for investigation. The children's kitchen has worktops at child height and an induction hob used with adult help. Children explore produce rather than follow a fixed recipe, sometimes using vegetables from the allotment at Windmill Hill City Farm. Handling, tasting and cooking give them practical reasons to talk, measure and make choices.

Forest Experience takes learning beyond the urban garden. Blackbirds children travel to Leigh Woods by minibus, exploring logs and woodland trails. In spring 2026, Seagulls groups took longer outings with packed lunches, magnifiers and shelter materials. These experiences make room for physical challenge and close observation of nature.

Indoors, construction has its own resources: Seagulls combines hollow wooden blocks with Community Play Things blocks. The shared outside space includes a large accessible sandpit. In July 2023, children showed confident early number skills, and songs, stories and sound recognition supported their preparation for phonics.

Each child has a key person, giving families a regular contact who knows their child's learning and care needs. Home visits precede starting nursery; settling arrangements are agreed with families and can proceed in smaller steps where needed. Learning diaries bring together observations, with parents invited to contribute and discuss progress.

Teachers work alongside early years practitioners and SEND support workers. A speech therapist attends on alternate Wednesdays, offering observations and communication advice. Daily Attention Autism sessions support children who would benefit from help with listening and attention. Individual education targets are agreed with parents and relevant professionals, then reviewed over six to eight weeks.

Lunch is prepared onsite using fresh, seasonal ingredients, and dietary requirements can be accommodated. Children are encouraged to serve themselves, making meals an opportunity to practise independence. Blackbirds has a sensory room with soft lighting and wooden panelling for quiet play or rest; Seagulls children can seek quieter time in the Rainbow Room or library. Safeguarding arrangements were effective in July 2023.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate primary-school application through Bristol City Council's online route. For children starting Reception in September 2026, the deadline was 15 January 2026; that application cycle is now past.

Preparation is separate from allocation. In summer 2026, staff from receiving primary schools visited children at Redcliffe and spoke with their key people. For children with SEND, transition meetings involve parents and the receiving setting, with a tailored plan explaining progress and support needs. Familiarity and information move with the child, rather than an entitlement to a place.

Term-time care runs Monday to Friday, with opening hours of 8am to 5.30pm. Funded attendance follows set patterns: Monday and Tuesday plus Wednesday morning, or Wednesday afternoon plus Thursday and Friday, each providing 15 hours. The 30-hour pattern runs from 9am to 3pm across all five weekdays. Breakfast and tea clubs extend the day.

From the term following their third birthday, children are entitled to 15 funded hours, with 30 subject to eligibility; funded places for two-year-olds also depend on eligibility. The 30-hour places are limited. Meals and additional care carry separate charges. Families are automatically enrolled in the enrichment charge but may opt out by email, with children still included in activities. Eligible Early Years Pupil Premium children have lunch and enrichment covered; the charges page also lists consumables separately. Refer to the school for current charges.

There is no uniform: choose clothes suited to messy play and bring spares. The neighbouring car park is reserved for residents. Book a one-hour nursery tour by calling 0117 9030334 or emailing redcliffe.n@bristol-schools.uk.