Welcome to St Werburgh's Park Nursery School
Welcome to St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School, where nearly a century of educational excellence meets modern early years practice in a truly inspiring environment. Built in 1931 as an open-air nursery school inspired by pioneering educator Margaret McMillan, we continue to honour this progressive vision while serving today’s families with outstanding care and education.
Our spacious facilities include dedicated areas such as an art studio, library, and cooking room, alongside large classroom spaces that provide children with rich learning opportunities. The heart of our nursery lies in our exciting garden space, where children can engage in physical activities, explore nature, and tend to our own vegetable allotment.
As a term-time nursery offering 15 or 30-hour places depending on eligibility, we have been recognised by Ofsted as friendly and inclusive, proudly welcoming families from diverse backgrounds. Our experienced practitioners create a caring and nurturing environment where children develop independence, resilience, and confidence, supported by our role as an Early Years Centre of Excellence and our participation in the National Teaching School partnership since 2013.
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.

Educational Heritage and Innovation
St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School carries forward a remarkable educational legacy, having been built in 1931 as an open-air nursery school inspired by Margaret McMillan’s progressive vision for early childhood education. This historical foundation continues to inform our approach today, as we blend time-tested educational principles with contemporary early years practice. Over nine decades of continuous service, we have evolved and expanded our facilities while maintaining our core philosophy of providing healthy, nature-connected learning environments. Our rich history provides depth and wisdom that enhances every child’s educational experience, creating a bridge between pioneering educational ideals and modern understanding of how children learn and flourish.

Centre of Educational Excellence
Our designation as an Early Years Centre of Excellence in 2012 and participation in the National Teaching School partnership since 2013 reflects our commitment to outstanding early years education that extends beyond our own children. We serve the broader educational community by offering training and support to other professionals and students, ensuring we remain at the forefront of early years practice. Our specialised facilities, including an art studio, library, and cooking room, allow us to provide developmentally appropriate experiences tailored to each child’s needs. This role as a centre of excellence means our staff continuously develop their expertise and share knowledge with others, creating an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

Strong Family Partnerships
St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School places tremendous value on building meaningful partnerships with parents, recognising them as children’s first and most important educators. We understand that parents know their children best, and their support and encouragement make a substantial difference to learning outcomes. This collaborative approach ensures continuity between home and nursery experiences, strengthening children’s sense of security and enhancing their development. Through Bristol Children’s Centres parenting groups and our well-established family support drop-in sessions, we create opportunities for families to connect with each other and access additional support, fostering a strong community that extends well beyond the nursery walls.
Nursery Places
Funded Places Available
We offer 15-hour free places for funded eligible 2-year-olds and15-hour places for 2-year-old children of working parents. 15 hours free for children the term after their third birthday and 30-hour places for eligible (working) parents of both 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds.
Core Sessions (15 Hours)
Monday to Friday: 8:45am to 11:45am
OR
Monday to Friday: 12:30pm to 3:30pm
OR
2 ½ days – Monday, Tuesday 8:45am to 3:30pm and Wednesday 8:45am to 11:45am
OR
2½ days – Wednesday 12:30pm to 3:30pm and Thursday, Friday 8:45am to 3:30pm *
30-Hour Sessions (for eligible working parents)
Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 3:30pm and Friday: 8:45am to 11:45am
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.
After-School Club
We offer an After School Club which is available Monday to Friday, 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
The cost is £8.00 per child per session
* 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
Lovely staff. I especially want to thank Dana for being so patient and understanding when my child had some difficulties. Wonderful teacher.
News
Primary School Places
If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, you will need to apply for a school place by 15 January 2026. You can apply online here. Please talk to your keyworker if you have any questions or need any support. Download the flyer below for...
St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School Explores Autumn Leaves and Fireworks
We have been exploring all the beautiful autumn leaves in our garden, connecting with the seasonal changes around us. The children have been noticing the various colours and from this we threaded leaves onto ribbons to decorate our tree, creating a collaborative...
St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School Term 1 Newsletter – October 2025
Our Term 1 newsletter is now available to download. It has been a wonderful first term at St Werburgh's Park Nursery School, and we are pleased to share what the children have been learning and experiencing. This term, we welcomed our new caretaker, Al Wardle, to...
East Central Family Hub at St Werburgh’s Park Nursery School
As you may know, we have had the East Central Family Hub move in with us at St Werburgh's Park Nursery School. This is really exciting as it means we have lots of different groups and support available to our Community. As part of this process, we are currently...
St Werburgh’s Yellow Room Celebrates Diwali and Bakes Bread
This week, the children have been celebrating Diwali, learning about the Festival of Lights through hands-on experiences. We have been creating clay Diyas, developing fine motor skills whilst making these traditional lamps. The children watched and took part in a...
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...
St Werburgh's Park Nursery School Team
- All
- Admin and Premises Team (St Werburgh’s)
- Early Years Practitioners (St Werburgh’s)
- Leadership Team (St Werburgh’s)
- Senior Leadership Team
Rachel Barnwell
Jacqui Macfarlane
Jo Chambers
Kate Ticehurst
Lucy Freeman
Maria Melo
Nicky Brinkworth
Rosie Armistead
Sam Trace
Susan Brain
Rosie Duckett
Atthia
Rosie Richards
Aga
Fiona
Houda
Joanne
Nyra
Zerish
Balazs
Jane
Cassie
Lisa
Nadia
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.








