Early education and childcare

High quality integrated early years and childcare services are a key priority for Bristol.

• Most nursery schools are part of the state education system and are mostly free. Find out about admission to nursery schools and see our list of all Bristol nurseries.
  
  
• Find out about childcare providers in your area.
  
  
• Private nurseries or community nurseries vary in size from small individual privately owned nurseries to nurseries run by large national companies.
  
  
• Children’s centres provides a range of integrated early years and childcare services to local families. The services will include, day care and early education, family health, ante‐natal and post‐natal care/classes, local advice and support for children with additional needs.

Our vision:

• All young children in Bristol have the opportunity to engage in active and inspiring learning.
  
  
• Through effective partnerships, outcomes for all young children will continue to improve and in particular the gap will close between outcomes for the most disadvantaged children and others.
  
  
• Outcomes and options for children, families and their communities are enhanced through the development of high quality integrated education, childcare, health and family support services, available all year round.
  
  
• The development of cohesive, family-centred services at neighbourhood level supports parents/carers both in their parenting and in their aspirations for training/employment.
  
  
• Local authority resources are targeted to meet the needs of children in need and children from families with specific needs.