Welcome to Rosemary Nursery School
Welcome to Rosemary Nursery School, Bristol’s oldest nursery school with a proud heritage dating back to the 1920s. Nestled in the heart of St Jude’s behind Cabot Circus, we offer a unique early years experience that combines nearly a century of educational excellence with a truly special environment.
Ofsted has described us as “a very beautiful school” and “an oasis of care,” and we take great pride in our large outdoor space that serves as a hidden gem within this bustling inner-city location. This carefully nurtured garden creates wonderful opportunities for children to explore nature through gardening, forest school activities, and adventurous outdoor play.
As a term-time nursery offering 15 or 30-hour places depending on eligibility, we celebrate being part of Bristol’s diverse community and warmly welcome families from all backgrounds. Our experienced practitioners create a caring and nurturing environment where children develop independence, resilience, and confidence in their play and learning.
We believe every child deserves the very best start in life, and our dedicated team works closely with families to ensure each child settles meaningfully and reaches their full potential in our remarkable urban oasis.
Partnership with Families
Our partnership with parents is a big part of our work.
You know so much about your child.
Your support and encouragement will make a big difference to their learning.
Bristol's Educational Pioneer
As Bristol’s oldest nursery school with roots stretching back to the 1920s, Rosemary Nursery brings nearly a century of educational wisdom to early years practice. This remarkable heritage represents generations of dedicated service to Bristol families, creating a legacy of excellence that continues to evolve with contemporary understanding of how children learn and grow. Our long-standing presence in the community reflects our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality early education in the heart of the city, where experienced practitioners blend time-tested approaches with innovative teaching methods to support every child’s unique journey.
Urban Sanctuary for Nature Learning
Despite our central location behind Cabot Circus, Rosemary Nursery offers what Ofsted calls “an oasis of care” – a tranquil haven where children can connect deeply with the natural world. Our large outdoor space serves as a hidden gem within the bustling urban environment, providing rich opportunities for gardening, forest school adventures, and exploratory play. This carefully designed garden creates a perfect contrast to city life, allowing children to experience the wonder of growing plants, discovering wildlife, and engaging in meaningful outdoor learning that nurtures their curiosity and environmental awareness.
Celebrating Community Diversity
Rosemary Nursery proudly embraces its position within Bristol’s vibrant, diverse community, welcoming families from many different cultural backgrounds with warmth and respect. This inclusive approach enriches every child’s learning experience, exposing them to various languages, traditions, and perspectives that broaden their understanding of the world. Our commitment to working in partnership with parents recognises that families are children’s first educators, and their involvement makes a significant difference to learning outcomes. Together, we create a nurturing environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Nursery Places
Core Sessions
Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 11:30am
or
Monday to Friday: 12:30pm to 3:30pm
2 1/2 days – Monday, Tuesday 8:30am to 3:30pm and Wednesday 8:30am to 11:30am
2 1/2 days – Wednesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm and Thursday, Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm *
Paying Places
The above sessions are also available as paid places. Our fee is £8.00 per hour. We do not offer ad hoc sessions or alternative session times. Places are allocated in line with our admissions policy.
We do not offer an After-School Club at Rosemary Nursery School.
* We will only invoice parents who incur a charge for their child’s sessions – Paying daycare and after-school club
Free and Funded Childcare
Good news! There are lots of options for free and funded childcare at Bristol’s nursery schools. Every family’s situation is different, so explore the options on the Bristol Nursery Schools website to see what applies to you.
What Parents Are Saying
It’s a wonderful little nursery school which has served the good people of this deprived city centre area for a generation.
It feels like family here. I know my child will be looked after like he’s at home.
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.
News
Rosemary Class 2 Investigates Shapes and Emotions
This week, Class 2 has been investigating shape and exploring how different shapes fit together, developing their mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills. We have also been having important conversations about friendships and discussing how we can be...
Rosemary Class 1 Makes the Most of Sunny Weather
This week in Class 1, we have been making the most of the sunny weather with lots of engaging outdoor activities. The children have been planting bulbs, learning about growth and seasonal changes, whilst also taking care of our environment by washing the bikes and...
Rosemary Class 1 Develops Mark-Making Skills
This week, we have been focusing on mark-making in different ways throughout the nursery environment. The children have been experimenting with various tools and surfaces to create marks, patterns, and early writing attempts. This essential skill supports the Early...
Rosemary Nursery Celebrates 100 Years!
2025 marks a remarkable milestone as Rosemary Nursery celebrates 100 years of quality early years education for Bristol families. Our centenary celebration in July was a tremendous success, bringing together our children, families, and even the Lord Mayor of...
Welcome to Room 2 at Rosemary Nursery School
Rosemary Nursery School is pleased to share updates from Room 2 as children engage in their early years learning experiences. Welcoming Our Learning Community This week, Room 2 has been welcoming back returning children and some new faces too, building their early...
Welcome to Class 1 at Rosemary Nursery School
Rosemary Nursery School is delighted to share updates from Class 1 as children engage in their early years learning experiences. Welcoming Our Learning Community This week, Class 1 has enjoyed welcoming returning children back to their early years education...
Rosemary Nursery School Team
- All
- Admin and Premises Team (Rosemary)
- Early Years Practitioners (Rosemary)
- Leadership Team (Rosemary)
- Senior Leadership Team
Rachel Barnwell
Jacqui Macfarlane
Jo Chambers
Kate Ticehurst
Lucy Freeman
Maria Melo
Nicky Brinkworth
Rosie Armistead
Sam Trace
Carly
Claudia
Dawn
Jaki
Jane
Khadija
Jasmine
Sucaado
Magda Bozek
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.