Bertie’s Nursery School, Wraxall, Bristol: amazing activities, learning opportunities & acres of green space!

For parents looking for a wonderful nursery, do read on!

On 8th January 2018, Bertie’s Nursery School opened at The Downs Preparatory School in Wraxall, offering young children amazing activities, learning opportunities and acres of green space to enjoy!

The nursery school is situated in the beautiful, rural parkland of the former Tyntesfield Estate, just 5 miles from Bristol and conveniently close to Clevedon, Portishead and the Chew Valley.

Bertie’s Nursery School – named after Headmaster Marcus Gunn’s dog, Bertie – will aim to provide the finest Early Years provision in the Bristol and North Somerset area for up to 80 children from 6 months to 4 years, 51 weeks of the year, on a full-time or term-time only basis.

All children at Bertie’s Nursery School will have the opportunity to receive specialist teaching in forest school, the performing arts, dance, drama and languages. Pupils will also have the advantage of accessing the amazing facilities at The Downs School such as the outdoor ‘Treehouse’ classroom, sports hall and pets corner, where they can feed the chickens and collect freshly laid eggs!

Here’s more about Bertie’s Nursery School from the headmaster of The Downs School, Marcus Gunn…

Please tell us more about Bertie’s Nursery School.

Creating Bertie’s Nursery School felt like a natural step for The Downs Preparatory School, where I have now been headmaster for fifteen years (the longest–standing Prep School headmaster in the area).

My wonderful team and I have dedicated ourselves to creating an outstanding, independent, co-educational preparatory school full of happy and well – rounded children and we felt the time was right to reach out to the Early Years market bringing our educational excellence to a younger cohort.

What age range do you take?

At Bertie’s we will take children from the age of 6-months up to 4 years from where we hope that most will progress up the drive, to Reception at The Downs Preparatory School.

How many children will Bertie’s take?

We aim to take up to 80 children in due course.

Please explain what the Early Years Foundation Stage is?

The Early Years Foundation Stage sets standards for the learning, development and care for children from birth to 5 years old – perhaps the most important stage of a child’s development.

Why is it important is a broad curriculum for young children?

Just as it is for older pupils, young children need to gently experience diverse cultures and activities. Such experiences undoubtedly enhance their curiosity of the World, their interest in learning and essentially their self-esteem. A broad curriculum then prepares them to learn effectively and more formally as they move on in their schooling.

Please tell me more about Bertie’s Forest School.

The Forest School is just one means by which Bertie’s embraces the wonderful rural setting in which it is situated. The Forest School is purpose-built within the woodland area of the nursery. It is run by a hugely enthusiastic Forest School coach employed by Bertie’s, indeed ’Caterpillar’ has excited young children about their natural environment for many years not least at The Downs School.

What is the ethos at Bertie’s?

At the heart of the Bertie’s ethos is our commitment to child–led development in a warm and invigorating atmosphere. We encourage individuality, curiosity and kindness but most importantly we want our children to ‘learn with laughter’ , be happy, confident and resilient.

How can parents find out more about Bertie’s?

Come and see for yourself and meet our admissions team who will be delighted to show you round.