“They seem to know our little girl well and she’s formed a nice bond with most of them already. We particularly like the family feel at the place and outdoor space… It’s huge! They are outside daily, rain or shine!”
145 Southmead Road, BS10 5DW
A day nursery on Southmead Road, close to home for Southmead families
If you live in Southmead, Southmead Road is probably part of your every day already, and The Manor House Nursery sits at the Westbury on Trym end of it, in a traditional manor house set back in its own grounds. For families who work at Southmead Hospital, further along the same road, it is a practical option too. If you would like to come and look around, we would be glad to show you.
Why families choose us
Our approach
What parents tend to notice first is that the house is not divided up by age into one room per group. Under 2s have the whole upstairs floor, Treetops, to explore, from Blossom and Willow to the calm of Robins Nest, and over 2s move freely downstairs in Woodland, between Cedar, The Pod and The Wellbeing Cabin, and out into the garden. Staff are trained to join children at play rather than interrupt them, so children learn to make their own choices, manage their own feelings and sort out small disagreements for themselves.
In practice
Settling in works at your child's pace rather than to a set timetable. It starts with a visit together, so your child can explore the rooms and garden with you nearby, then short sessions build gradually, with time apart increasing only as your child feels ready. Every child has a keyworker who keeps a learning journal, so you have a real picture of how they are getting on and who they are playing with. We accept 15 and 30 hours funded places for eligible families, and we are rated Good by Ofsted.
For families in Southmead
For Southmead families, there is something straightforward about a nursery on a road you already travel. Whether you are heading to a shift at Southmead Hospital or on into Bristol, drop-off does not ask much of the morning. Once you arrive, the house and its large garden feel a world away from the traffic, and children are outside every day whatever the weather, in the mud kitchen, on the climbing frame or woodworking with real tools.
Address
145 Southmead Road, BS10 5DW
Phone
0117 962 9620Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 6pm
Ages
6 months to 5 years
Ofsted
Good
Funding
15 & 30 hours accepted
Getting here
From central Southmead, the most direct route runs via Charfield Road and Shetland Road onto Southmead Road, around 0.9 miles, which takes three to five minutes by car or around 20 minutes on foot. The nursery is at 145 Southmead Road, with parent drop-off spaces outside on the main road.
Parent reviews
What Bristol parents say
For more than 30 years, families have trusted us to care for their children from as young as 6 months until they’re ready to start school. Here’s what they have to say about their experience.
“What truly sets this nursery apart is their exceptional provision for special educational needs (SEN)… My son has needed specialist support, the staff have not only liaised with all the external paediatric support teams but provided reassurance for us navigating through the challenges of the SEN system.”
“She can be shy and slow to connect to people but she has built such good relationships… We have also shared photos/stories from home to her profile and staff then talk about it with her… it really just feels like an extension of her family.”
Come and visit us
Book a tour of The Manor House
Come and see the rooms and the garden for yourself, meet the team, and get a feel for how your child would spend their day with us.
Not ready yet?
Things parents ask us
Common questions
The nursery is at 145 Southmead Road, at the Westbury on Trym end of the road, so for many Southmead families it is already on a familiar route. By car via Charfield Road and Shetland Road, it is around 0.9 miles and takes three to five minutes. It is also walkable in around 20 minutes, and there are parent drop-off spaces outside on the main road if you are driving.
Yes, we accept both 15 and 30 funded hours. Every 3 and 4 year old is entitled to 15 hours a week regardless of whether parents are working, with no conditions attached. The 30 hours entitlement is for working families, with children from 9 months old, where both parents, or a sole parent, work at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage and neither earns over £100,000 adjusted net income. Our fees page explains how funding works alongside our sessions, and if you are not sure what you qualify for, the Childcare Choices website is the best place to check.
We care for children from 6 months old up to 5 years. It is worth getting in touch well before you need a place to start, so we can talk through start dates and what is available. We would always suggest you book a visit first, so you can see the house and garden and meet the team.
We are rated Good by Ofsted, following our most recent inspection in 2023. The inspectors noted that children thrive in the nursery environment, which is tailored to their interests and developmental needs. We have been caring for children in this part of Bristol since 1994, and there is a qualified teacher in the building at all times.
You can book a visit through our website or call us on 0117 962 9620, and we will show you the rooms, the garden and how the day works. Settling in takes place over two weeks before your child starts, beginning with an hour together, and we add extra sessions if your child needs more time. There's more about settling in on our About page.
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.
"Children thrive in the nursery environment, which is tailored to their interests and developmental needs."