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
The Richard Pate School Nursery
About The Richard Pate School 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 (from the term after their third birthday) and to four years old.
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.
Sessions available
The Richard Pate School nursery offers morning sessions, from 8.30am to 12pm, 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.
Highlights
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.
How much does The Richard Pate School nursery cost?
Per term, five mornings per week costs £1,606; three full days a week costs £2,035; four full days a week costs £2,713; and five full days a week costs £3,391.
Breakfast Club costs £5.50 per session and after school care costs £10 per session.
Get in touch
Address: Southern Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 9RP
Telephone number: (01242) 522086
Email: admissions@richardpate.co.uk
Website: richardpate.co.uk
Social media:instagram.com/richardpate_school and facebook.com/richardpateschool
Cotswolds nurseries
Rendcomb College
About Rendcomb College nursery
Cirencester’s Rendcomb College offers a calm, friendly and welcoming environment for children aged from three years old 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 and reception classes set within its 230-acre 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, with a designated dining area for nursery-age children.
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.
Highlights
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, understanding the world and more — as well as the chance to enjoy the college's spectacular Cotswold countryside surroundings.
How much does Rendcomb College nursery cost?
Sessions cost £37 while full days cost £71. Before school care is at no additional cost, after school care is £4 per half hour.
Get in touch
Address: Rendcomb College, Cirencester, GL7 7HA
Telephone number: (01285) 831213
Email: info@rendcombcollege.org.uk
Website: rendcombcollege.org.uk/nursery
Social media: facebook.com/Rendcombcollege, instagram.com/rendcombcollege, or twitter.com/RendcombCollege
