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Mama Bear's Day Nursery in Bristol (BS16 6AL)

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·Stanbridge Primary School, Stanbridge Road, Bristol, BS16 6AL · South Gloucestershire
Number of places
34 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
South Gloucestershire

About this day nursery

Mama Bear's Day Nursery and Pre-School in Stanbridge, previously known as Bright Sparks Day Nursery & Pre-School until its rebranding in March 2022, offers year-round care, excluding weekends, Bank Holidays, and the Christmas period. The nursery focuses on fostering imagination and a passion for learning through playful exploration and discovery.

The educational approach aims to build a strong foundation in emotional, intellectual, and physical development, with activities designed to inspire confidence and curiosity. The curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, meeting OFSTED standards, and includes a diverse menu of freshly prepared, nutritious meals.

The nursery prioritises safety and hygiene. Mama Bear's is a community where each child is valued, and educators are highly trained in early years care, paediatric first aid, food hygiene, and specialised areas like SEN and Makaton, ensuring an inclusive atmosphere.

The facility features thoughtfully designed indoor spaces and secure outdoor areas for children to explore the natural world. The nursery aims to support children's academic, social, emotional, and physical growth, preparing them for school and beyond, collaborating with families to nurture children's early development.

Our ethos

Mama Bear's Day Nursery & Pre-School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on fostering imagination and a passion for learning through playful exploration and discovery. The nursery aims to build a strong foundation in emotional, intellectual, and physical development, inspiring confidence and curiosity while ensuring an inclusive atmosphere. They are committed to supporting children's academic, social, emotional, and physical growth in collaboration with families.

What it's like

Staff outline clear intentions for children's activities and support. The team observes children, and key persons track their progress. All children make good strides, closing developmental gaps and reaching their potential, with strong language and social skills, confidence, and self-awareness.

Year-round careEYFS curriculumNutritional mealsExperienced educatorsIndoor and outdoor play

Pricing & funding

This nursery offers standard funded places as afternoon sessions, alongside paid morning and non-funded sessions. Fees include all meals, weaning food, and drinks, but exclude baby milk and nappies. A flexibility hourly rate allows funded hours to be used across any session, and registration fees depend on hours booked.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • All sessions include breakfast, lunch, tea, weaning food, and drinks.
  • Excludes baby milk, nappies, wet wipes, and creams.
  • No registration fee applies for funded-only bookings or bookings paying only the Flexibility Charge.
  • Term-time only bookings are subject to availability and incur a 10% surcharge on prevailing rates.
  • Standard free funded sessions are taken as 4 or 5-hour afternoon sessions starting at 1pm.

Key facts

Opening hours

All year excluding weekends, bank holidays, and the Christmas period.

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Session types

Morning, Afternoon, Full day

Established

2022

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Mama Bear's Day Nursery

Last inspected 8 October 2024

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff outline clear intentions for children's activities and support. The team observes children, and key persons track their progress. All children make good strides, closing developmental gaps and reaching their potential, with strong language and social skills, confidence, and self-awareness.

Inspector highlights

  • Partnerships with parents are strong, with a two-way flow of information and efforts to promote a beneficial community atmosphere.
  • Staff support children's independence throughout the day, encouraging them to manage tasks like putting away belongings and serving themselves food.
  • Managers effectively support staff in redesigning planning processes and building skills, particularly for new staff and apprentices.
  • Staff effectively develop children's literacy skills, with older children discussing letters and books readily available for all ages.
  • Children effectively develop physical skills through activities like cutting dough, drawing, yoga, and outdoor water play.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to enhance the curriculum and consistently adapt their teaching to inspire children more readily, enabling them to follow their interests and extend their skills to higher levels
  • 2review group time arrangements to consistently support children's listening and attention skills.
Inspection #10355112 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are very positive about the friendly, welcoming staff and all that they do for the children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff use signs and picture prompts to communicate with younger children and those who need some additional support, which helps reduce frustration and supports understanding and cooperation, enhancing their happiness and positive emotional well-being.

Outdoor space

Children develop their coordination as they experiment outside with water using different tools, such as pumps to fill containers. Children also work hard to get their boots and coats on to go outside.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

8 October 2024

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Mama Bear's Day Nursery

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more