A good nursery can give children the best possible start in life — and Gloucestershire is home to an exceptional range of quality options, with SoGlos handpicking some of the very best in the county.
From private day nurseries to nurseries and pre-prep at independent schools, find the perfect place for your little one to flourish.
Be sure to book a tour to see the facilities and meet the staff first hand — and plan ahead, as spaces can be at a premium, being snapped up months, even years, in advance.
Cheltenham nurseries
Cheltenham Prep's Nursery School
About the nursery
Cheltenham Prep School has invested almost £3 million on its purpose-designed Nursery School, which opened its doors in September 2022. The Nursery School was also named a top 20 nursery in the south west at the Day Nurseries Nursery Awards 2023, with its outstanding building design also winning a highly commended award at the 2023 LABC Building Excellence Awards.
Nestled amongst the trees, it promises a first-class introduction to the world of learning, with indoor and outdoor spaces, alongside wellbeing and mindfulness sessions led by expert early years-trained staff.
Age range
Children can join at
the start of the term in which they are going to turn three.
Sessions available
The Nursery School
day runs from 8.30am to 3.30pm with wraparound care available from 8am through to 6pm in the evening. Parents can choose from between two and five days per week, with two days being the minimum.
SoGlos loves
Every week, children take part in French, drama and music sessions with subject specialist teachers. They are also able to make use of the prep school’s fabulous woodland area for outdoor learning and its extensive sports facilities for PE lessons.
On Fridays, prospective families are invited to join in on morning sessions of ‘Fun Fridays’, where little ones and their parents can experience the Nursery School first-hand.
Fees
Fees for the Nursery School are set at £3,350 a term, based on five days per week.
Address
Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AB.
Telephone
(01242) 265639
prepadmissions@cheltenhamcollege.org
Website
cheltenhamcollege.org/nurseryschool
Social media
Visit facebook.com/CheltPrep and instagram.com/CheltPrep.
The Richard Pate School Nursery
About the nursery
Located next to the main school, on its Leckhampton campus, The Richard Pate School Nursery is dedicated to delivering a high standard of early years care and education to children aged three and over.
With a specialist teaching programme that considers each child’s individual needs — including those with additional educational requirements — the nursery is a safe and inclusive space that is stimulating, inspiring and nurturing.
Guided by the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, The Richard Pate School Nursery teaches independence through positive relationships and emphasises the importance of learning and development, while providing an enabling environment, with teaching and dedicated support from qualified adults.
The nursery supports its pupils across personal, social and emotional learning, as well as physical development, communication and language — teaching in the four specific areas of literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design; to help prepare little ones for school and the wider world.
Age range
From three (from the term after the third birthday) to four years old.
Sessions available
The Richard Pate School Nursery offers morning sessions, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, with children attending five mornings a week.
Full day sessions start at 8.30am and end at 3.30pm, with parents able to opt for three, four or five full days a week.
Breakfast Club and after school care are also available from 7.45am until 5.30pm. Breakfast and a light tea are included for all children.
SoGlos loves
Play is prioritised as a great way for little ones to learn — with plenty of opportunities for fun, supported by the teaching staff. Children are encouraged to discover their environments, with lots to explore both inside and among the school’s vast grounds.
Fees
Per term, five mornings per week costs £1,487; three full days a week costs £1,884; four full days a week costs £2,512; and five full days a week costs £3,140.
Breakfast Club costs £5.50 per session and after school care costs £10 per session.
Address
Southern Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 9RP
Telephone
(01242) 522086
admissions@richardpate.co.uk
Website
Social media
Visit instagram.com/richardpate_school and
facebook.com/richardpateschool
Cotswolds nurseries
Rendcomb College
About the nursery
Cirencester’s Rendcomb College offers a calm, friendly and welcoming environment for children as part of its Early Years Foundation Stage nursery and reception classes. Providing a quality pre-school education, the college offers an unrivalled environment for learning and outdoor activities, with the nursery classes set within its 230-acres parkland campus to provide children with ample space to play, explore and learn.
The knowledgeable staff take pride in helping children to develop in their early years, with a broad educational programme and a carefully-planned curriculum, ensuring a smooth transition from nursery to reception. The in-house catering team provides nutritious and well-balanced hot meals and snacks, too, with a designated dining area for nursery-age children.
Age range
From two to five, with children accepted in the term they turn three.
Sessions available
Rendcomb College offers flexible arrangements in its nursery, with morning sessions running from 9am to 12pm, or 9am to 12.45pm including lunch; and afternoon sessions running from 12.45pm to 3.30pm, or from 12pm to 3.30pm including lunch. The nursery also has an early morning club from 7.45am and after-school care available until 6pm.
SoGlos loves
In addition to everyday nursery-based activities, children benefit from regular sessions in the Forest School with its well-established approach to learning through outdoor settings offering practical applications of numeracy, literacy, science and more — as well as the chance to enjoy the college's spectacular Cotswold countryside surroundings.
Fees
Sessions cost £35 while full days cost £67.
Address
Rendcomb College, Cirencester, GL7 7HA
Telephone
(01285) 831213
Website
rendcombcollege.org.uk/nursery
Social media
See facebook.com/Rendcombcollege, instagram.com/rendcombcollege, or twitter.com/RendcombCollege
Gloucester nurseries
Little King's Pre-school
About the nursery
Keeping fun at the heart of learning, Little King’s provides a stimulating environment for young children. The early years centre at The King’s School Gloucester, which houses both the Pre-school and Reception classes, offers the ideal introduction to school life, following the Foundation Stage curriculum, leading to the Early Learning Goals at the end of Reception year. This exciting and engaging curriculum, which includes regular forest school sessions, takes into account children’s needs and interests while assisting their physical development, knowledge and understanding of the world, with curriculum-linked activities involving maths, literacy and personal development.
Offering experienced staff with an excellent child-to-teacher ratio, Little King’s at The King’s School Gloucester can really get to know each child. Specialist teachers from the Junior School add their expertise in the areas of dance, drama, music and physical education, helping to create a very smooth transition from Little King’s to the Junior School. An online learning journal system allows parents to see their child’s progress with their own personal login, too.
As a result of its individual curriculum, Little King’s produces happy, confident and resilient children who are independent, ready and eager to learn, having had the very best start.
Age range
Little King's is available for children aged between three and five years-old for a minimum of two sessions per week, until they progress to full-time Reception in the September following their fourth birthday.
Sessions available
There are two sessions available — a morning session between 8.30am and 12.30pm and a full day session between 8.30am and 3.15pm.
Ofsted
The most recent ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) report in 2022 confirmed that The King's School Gloucester met all compliance standards, with the highest possible levels for pupil achievement and pupil personal development, with inspectors highlighting pupils' excellent attitude towards learning; consistent engagement during lessons; passionate and expert teaching; highly supportive behaviour; excellent self-confidence, self-esteem and self-knowledge; and a respect and appreciation for diversity.
SoGlos loves
Alongside the day nursery, Little King’s also runs wraparound childcare and a popular holiday club. Its home-from-home care service provides a relaxed environment for the children, where dedicated staff welcome pupils to read, create or play with friends. Wraparound care is available from 7.45am in the Early Birds Club and between 3.15pm and 6pm after school.
Fees
Little King's fees cost £9.60 per hour, with sibling discounts available. Wraparound care costs £2.50 per hour for Early Birds Club and £7.50 for after school care.
Address
Pitt Street, Gloucester, GL1 2BG
Telephone
(01452) 337337
Website
Social media
Visit instagram.com/kingsschoolglos, facebook.com/KingsSchoolGlos or twitter.com/KingsSchoolGlos.
Nurseries beyond the border
MSJ Minis at Malvern St James Girls' School
About the nursery
MSJ Minis at Malvern St James Girls' School offers an inspiring and nurturing space for girls to start their education.
Providing a bespoke learning environment for the school's nursery and reception pupils, MSJ Minis has its own purpose-built spaces, with special areas for role play, creative mark making and free play.
Learning is integrated seamlessly into the day through fun and engaging activities, with each girl benefiting from personalised support on their Early Years Foundation Stage learning journey from MSJ's specialist teachers. Small class sizes and a high teacher-to-pupil ratio mean that every pupil is given the attention and support they need to thrive.
Outdoor education is just as important at MSJ Minis, with regular sessions in the on-site woodland school where little ones can play in the mud kitchen, plus regular days out and visits to parks. And with over 30 after school activities to try, the nursery benefits from access to the senior school's state-of-the-art facilities, including a multi-sports centre and heated swimming pool.
Age range
From three to four, with children accepted from the September following their third birthday.
Sessions available
MSJ offers 'school day' sessions from 8am to 3.30pm. There is also an afternoon session from 3.30pm to 6pm, with children able to attend 'full day' sessions from 8am to 6pm.
Wraparound care is available until 6pm each day, with children able to stay for additional time, billed at MSJ Mini's hourly rate.
SoGlos loves
Building the foundations of its pupils' academic journeys in a supportive, all-girls setting, MSJ Minis is a fantastic option for parents seeking a single-sex education for their daughter. In an environment that's free from stereotypes and limitations, pupils are encouraged to explore their personal interests and be themselves, learning how to be more independent and have the confidence to take measured risks and embrace the opportunities that come their way.
Fees
MSJ Minis accepts Nursery Education Funding between 8am and 3.30pm, with all provision after 3.30pm charged at its daily rate of £5.15 per hour.
With all parents entitled to at least 15 hours of government-funded childcare, children can attend two 'school days' a week for free — with some parents entitled to 30 hours, and therefore able to attend four 'school days' a week.
There is also a charge of £3 per day to cover a hot lunch and all snacks.
Address
15 Avenue Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3BA
Telephone
(01684) 892288
admissions@malvernstjames.co.uk
Website
malvernstjames.co.uk/msj-minis
Social media
See facebook.com/MalvernStJames, instagram.com/malvernstjames or twitter.com/MalvernStJames
