Three Exceptional Nursery Schools in the Heart of Bristol
Welcome to Central Bristol Nursery Schools
Where Every Child’s Journey Begins with Care, Learning, and Community
The Limes Nursery School
Serving the diverse Whitehall community for 40 years with a holistic approach to child development through open-ended play. This inclusive nursery helps children become enthusiastic learners and confident communicators in a supportive, caring environment.
Rosemary Nursery School
Bristol’s oldest nursery school, nestled in the heart of St Jude’s since the 1920s. This beautiful urban oasis offers children a tranquil garden space where they can explore nature through gardening and forest school activities.
St Werburgh's Park Nursery School
Built in 1931 as an open-air nursery inspired by pioneer Margaret McMillan, this spacious school features specialist rooms and exciting outdoor areas. Recognised as a Centre of Excellence, it combines historical heritage with outstanding modern early years practice.
About Central Bristol Nursery Schools
The Central Bristol Nursery Schools Federation brings together three outstanding nursery schools – Rosemary Nursery, St Werburgh’s Park Nursery, and The Limes Nursery – each with decades of experience in early years education. Together, we serve Bristol’s diverse communities, creating nurturing environments where children develop independence, confidence, and a genuine love of learning. Our experienced practitioners work in partnership with families to ensure every child receives the very best possible start in life.
About Us
At Central Bristol Nursery Schools, we offer a range of services designed to support the growth and development of young children.
A Rich Heritage of Early Years Excellence
Our federation combines nearly two centuries of collective experience in early childhood education, with roots stretching back to the 1920s. From Rosemary Nursery’s distinction as Bristol’s oldest nursery school to St Werburgh’s Park’s heritage as a 1931 open-air nursery inspired by pioneer Margaret McMillan, and The Limes’ four decades of service to the Whitehall community, we bring time-tested wisdom together with contemporary early years practice. This remarkable legacy represents generations of Bristol families who have trusted us with their children’s first educational experiences.
Celebrating Diversity in Learning
We are proud to serve Bristol’s wonderfully diverse communities, welcoming families from many different backgrounds and cultures. Our inclusive approach enriches the learning environment for all children, exposing them to various perspectives, languages, and experiences from an early age. This diversity is one of our greatest strengths, creating vibrant learning communities where every child and family feels valued and respected. Our experienced practitioners understand that each child is unique, and we celebrate the different ways children learn, play, and grow.
Nature and Learning in the City
Despite our urban locations, each of our nursery schools offers children exceptional opportunities to connect with nature and explore the outdoors. From Rosemary Nursery’s hidden gem of garden space behind Cabot Circus to St Werburgh’s Park’s exciting outdoor areas and The Limes’ spacious garden for exploration, we believe outdoor play is essential for healthy development. Our children enjoy gardening, forest school activities, and exploratory play, experiencing the benefits of nature connection while remaining in the heart of Bristol’s vibrant communities.
What Parents Are Saying
My son loves the garden. We live in a flat and don’t have any outside space but the garden at nursery is amazing. It’s great to know that he can run and play in a safe space.
It feels like family here. I know my child will be looked after like he’s at home.
It’s a wonderful little nursery school which has served the good people of this deprived city centre area for a generation.
News
The Limes Willow Room Explores Autumn and Puddle Play
We've been further exploring autumn leaves by using them to print with paint, discovering the different shapes and patterns each leaf creates whilst developing mark-making skills and understanding of natural forms. The children have been making marks in the garden...
Rosemary Class 1 Explores Shark in the Park
This week we have been focusing on our core book "Shark in the Park" by Nick Sharratt, which we will continue to look at next week to learn about the rhythm and rhyme as well as the basic story structure. This repeated reading approach helps children become...
St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School Gardens and Autumn Exploration
This week, the children have been busy in the garden, caring for and watering the herbs and vegetables in the allotment, learning about plant care, and developing responsibility for growing things. They have been weaving material and making brilliant marks on the...
The Limes Willow Room Creates Autumn Collages and Water Play
This week, we have gathered autumn leaves from the garden and used them to make beautiful autumnal collages, connecting with the changing season whilst developing creativity and fine motor skills through arranging and sticking natural materials. The children have...
The Limes Red Class Explores Musical Instruments and So Much
This week, Red Class have been thinking about musical instruments and the sounds they make, exploring different ways to create music whilst developing their listening skills. This musical exploration supports children's creative expression and awareness of rhythm...
Rosemary Class 2 Explores Mud Kitchen and Black History Month
This week, Class 2 has been using different natural materials to make food in the mud kitchen, developing creativity and imaginative play whilst exploring textures and combining natural resources in inventive ways. We have been reading our new core book, "Shark in...
Headteacher's Welcome
Welcome! I’m Rachel, and I’m delighted to serve as Acting Head Teacher for Central Bristol Nursery Schools Federation. Having had the wonderful opportunity to teach at all three of our schools – Rosemary Nursery, The Limes Nursery, and St Werburgh’s Park Nursery – I’ve come to deeply appreciate the unique character and community spirit that makes each one special.
For over twenty years, I’ve been privileged to work in Bristol’s early years education, taking on various roles that have all reinforced my passion for this crucial stage of learning. I truly believe in the transformative power of quality early education and the essential role our nursery schools play, both within Bristol’s early years community and in supporting the families in our local neighbourhoods.
What fills me with pride every day is working alongside such dedicated and brilliant teams who are committed to providing inclusive, nurturing education where every child can flourish and reach their potential.
Register Your Interest
Discover the nurturing environment at Central Bristol Nursery Schools. Request a tour or contact us for more information to learn how we can support your child’s early education journey.