Our Foundation
At Central Bristol Nursery School Federation, we believe that every child deserves the very best start in life. Since our federation was formed in June 2023, bringing together The Limes, Rosemary and St Werburgh’s Park Nursery Schools, we have worked collaboratively to provide exceptional early education and care for children aged 2-4 years across central Bristol.
We are driven by a shared commitment to the transformative power of early education. We understand that high-quality nursery education has the most significant positive impact on children who face the most disadvantage, and this knowledge guides every decision we make regarding our curriculum.
While we work as one federation, we celebrate and preserve each school’s unique history and identity, ensuring that we continue to meet the specific needs of our individual communities. We are passionate advocates for inclusion, creating environments where every child and family truly feels a sense of belonging.
Our Curriculum Approach
A Living, Breathing Curriculum
Our curriculum is dynamic and responsive, never static. At its heart lies our commitment to child-led, open-ended play that gives children the freedom to explore, create and forge their own learning connections. Carefully designed with 2, 3 and 4-year-olds in mind, our curriculum provides a thoughtfully planned sequence of skills and experiences that support each child’s unique developmental journey, with plenty of opportunities to revisit and practise new skills.
Our Four Core Experiences
Every child regularly participates in our four carefully chosen core experiences, each designed to reflect our values and strengthen our sense of community:
- Helicopter Stories – Where children become the authors of their own narratives
- Bread Making – Hands-on learning that connects us to tradition and each other
- Core Books – Shared stories that open worlds and spark imagination
- Environmental Learning – Discovering our world through gardening, recycling and composting
Inclusive by Design
Our children arrive with wonderfully diverse backgrounds, experiences and starting points. We embrace this diversity through a curriculum rich in first-hand experiences that support communication whilst building vocabulary from an early age. Every experience we offer is designed to be accessible and flexible enough to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. We hold ambitious expectations for every child.
How We Work
In Partnership with Families
We know that children thrive when home and school work together. Our dedicated key workers build strong relationships with both children and their families. Through Tapestry, our online learning diary, we share your child’s learning journey during their special focus observation weeks. Our website keeps you connected with weekly classroom news, and we regularly invite families to join us for ‘stay and play’ sessions and focus weeks, creating meaningful conversations about your child’s learning both at home and school.
With Intention and Purpose
Every interaction matters. Our highly qualified and experienced staff understand how to scaffold learning through purposeful, high-quality conversations and play. Our daily routine provides consistency and security, while our thoughtfully arranged learning environment offers children independent access to high-quality, open-ended resources designed to spark curiosity and exploration.
Through Careful Observation
We believe in truly getting to know each child. Our approach is built on daily reflection and responsive planning that follows children’s interests and discoveries. Through focus observation weeks, comprehensive assessments, 2-year-old progress checks, and communication assessments, we ensure every child’s individual journey is understood and supported.
With Clear Progression
Each area of learning and our core experiences are carefully mapped to ensure children develop skills and confidence as they progress through their unique learning journeys. This sequential approach means children build confidently on what they already know and can do.
The Seven Areas of Learning
Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, we focus on seven interconnected areas of learning and development:
The Three Prime Areas – the essential foundations for curiosity, relationships and flourishing:
- Communication and Language – developing confident communicators
- Physical Development – building strong, healthy bodies and minds
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – nurturing confident, caring individuals
The Four Specific Areas – where the prime areas are strengthened and applied:
- Literacy – fostering a love of reading and writing
- Mathematics – exploring numbers, patterns and problem-solving
- Understanding the World – discovering how our world works
- Expressive Arts and Design – celebrating creativity and imagination
Our Promise
We are proud to be a voice for children and a place where every child is truly heard. Our curriculum is our commitment to providing the highest quality early education, tailored to meet each child where they are and support them to reach their full potential.
CBNSF Curriculum Overview September