We all Matter - We all Belong
Welcome to Knowle West Nursery School
As one of the twelve local authority-maintained nursery schools in Bristol, we take pride in offering high-quality early years education within a beautiful and stimulating learning space.
At Knowle West Nursery School, we believe that every child matters and belongs. This core value is woven into the fabric of our inclusive culture, ensuring that each child is cherished, supported, and provided with the opportunities to flourish and achieve success.
Led by our Headteacher, Jenny McDonald, with over 13 years of commitment to the school, we continue to foster a family-centred ethos that prioritizes the well-being and happiness of every child.
We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our vibrant learning community. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you and your child to the Knowle West Nursery School family.
Are you looking for a Nursery place?
We have 2, 3 and 4 year old places available. Please get in touch and come and visit our wonderful learning environment.
Please contact us by phone (0117 9030214) or use the Register Your Interest button below, if you could
like to book a tour, or receive further information about Knowle West Nursery School.
Parent/Carer
My daughter really has enjoyed coming into nursery. The staff here are lovely and the morning welcome as you come through the door is always nice. Staff are really helpful and good at giving feedback at the end of the day. My daughter enjoys coming to nursery everyday as there are always fun activities to do on the tables and enjoys the big garden.
Parent/Carer
Thank you will never be enough for what you do. This is such a special place with amazing people who work so hard for the families and children. We love Knowle West Nursery School!
Latest News
News from the Hedgehog Room – November 2025
Children in the Hedgehog Room have recently been immersed in sensory play activities designed to spark curiosity and support early development. Using playdough and paint mix solutions, they explored textures, colours, and patterns in a hands-on environment that...
Knowle West Fox Room Explores Peck, Peck, Peck and Physical Play
In Fox Room we have read the story "Peck, Peck, Peck!" and enjoyed looking for the holes in each page, developing observation skills and engagement with the interactive elements of the book whilst building anticipation and prediction about what comes next. We have...
News from the Fox Room – November 2025
The Fox Room has been full of energy and creativity this week as the children explored a range of hands-on activities that sparked their curiosity and supported their growing independence. In the Home Corner, imaginative play has taken centre stage. Children have been...
Knowle West Ladybird and Bumblebee Rooms Explore Light and Dark
The children have been exploring light and dark using torches and lights in our dark den, discovering how light behaves in different spaces whilst building confidence in darker environments. We used torches with coloured Perspex blocks to explore colour, learning how...
News from the Squirrel Room – October 2025
Exploring, Creating and Connecting in Squirrel Room This week in Squirrel Room, the children have been busy building relationships through shared play and collaborative activities. These interactions are a vital part of their personal, social and emotional...
Explore Knowle West Nursery School

Headteacher's Welcome
It is a privilege to be the Headteacher of such a wonderful school, and I am proud to have been here for over 13 years as a room teacher, Deputy Headteacher, and SENCO. I am passionate about continuing our work for the Knowle West community, and I am joined by a dedicated and highly qualified staff team committed to giving children the best start in life to learn, grow, be heard, and be happy.

Our Vision and Values
Knowle West Nursery School is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive community where every child and family feels a sense of belonging and value. The school’s vision emphasises providing children with the best possible start in life, bridging the gap of disadvantage, and instilling skills, dispositions, and attitudes necessary for confident lifelong learning. Central to our ethos is the creation of a psychologically safe environment where respect, connection, kindness, safety, and authenticity are the guiding values, ensuring that everyone is heard, understood, and genuinely cared for.

Learning and Curriculum
Knowle West Nursery School offers a vibrant and nurturing environment where young children thrive through active engagement with the world around them. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage, KWNS emphasizes the Prime Areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, and Communication and Language. These foundational areas foster a positive self-image, social collaboration, emotional understanding, physical activity, and communication skills.
Latest From the Rooms
News from the Hedgehog Room – November 2025
Children in the Hedgehog Room have recently been immersed in sensory play activities designed to spark curiosity and support early development. Using playdough and paint mix solutions, they explored textures, colours, and patterns in a hands-on environment that...
Knowle West Fox Room Explores Peck, Peck, Peck and Physical Play
In Fox Room we have read the story "Peck, Peck, Peck!" and enjoyed looking for the holes in each page, developing observation skills and engagement with the interactive elements of the book whilst building anticipation and prediction about what comes next. We have...
News from the Fox Room – November 2025
The Fox Room has been full of energy and creativity this week as the children explored a range of hands-on activities that sparked their curiosity and supported their growing independence. In the Home Corner, imaginative play has taken centre stage. Children have been...
Knowle West Ladybird and Bumblebee Rooms Explore Light and Dark
The children have been exploring light and dark using torches and lights in our dark den, discovering how light behaves in different spaces whilst building confidence in darker environments. We used torches with coloured Perspex blocks to explore colour, learning how...
News from the Squirrel Room – October 2025
Exploring, Creating and Connecting in Squirrel Room This week in Squirrel Room, the children have been busy building relationships through shared play and collaborative activities. These interactions are a vital part of their personal, social and emotional...
Hedgehogs Room Explores New Environment
In Hedgehogs Room, we've been exploring our new outside environment with trails, hunts, and autumn activities, helping children become familiar with the outdoor spaces available to them. Playing "Where's Bear?" has been our favourite activity, and we've been excited...
News from the Fox Room – October 2025
We have made a wonderful start to our time in Fox Room! It has been lovely to see all our returning children again and to welcome new starters to the Centre. We have been busy exploring our classroom and our garden area. We have also been building relationships with...
News from the Squirrel Room – July 2025
Exploring the Senses in Every Season At Knowle West Nursery School, the children in Squirrel Room have been fully immersed in sensory play, embracing the joys of the outdoors and the wonders of different textures and materials. No matter the weather, the children have...
News from the Ladybird Room – July 2025
Exploring, Imagining, and Creating in the Ladybird Room The children in the Ladybird Room have been busy exploring their creativity and problem-solving skills through a variety of engaging activities. A simple cardboard box became the centre of imaginative play as the...
News from the Hedgehog Room – June 2025
Creative Collaboration in the Hedgehog Room The children in the Hedgehog Room have been immersed in a vibrant and collaborative art project. Working together on a large piece of card, they explored a variety of painting techniques and tools, sharing ideas and...













