Top tips for making the most of your nursery visit
We've compiled a list of popular questions families ask at nursery visits to help you when deciding which nursery to choose for your child's early years education.
Why choose Partou Little Big Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School in Knowle?
Partou Little Big Steps is a purpose-built nursery within a thriving community park, where children’s early years education extends well beyond the classroom. For families in Knowle and the surrounding area of Bristol, the combination of exceptional indoor environments and extraordinary outdoor access makes this nursery hard to match.
Our building was designed with children in mind from the outset, and it shows. Each age group has its own dedicated space, giving every child an environment supports their developmental stage, from our youngest babies through to children preparing for school. The playrooms are filled with natural resources, and real care has gone into making them beautiful places to learn and explore. Our most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025, observed that children were happy, confident and deeply engaged in their play, and the team’s commitment to an enabling, curiosity-led environment came through clearly in that outcome.
Our purpose-built garden is open to children throughout the day, and we treat it as an extension of our learning spaces rather than a break from them. At any point in the day, children can move freely into the outdoor environment, where activities are set up to invite exploration and imaginative play alongside anything happening indoors. Outdoor play supports children to build confidence and independence as well as support social and motor skill development, and our garden is well resourced to provide children with these benefits.
We are incredibly lucky to be part of the community park centre and supports children with a range of experiences and opportunities for learning. Being part of the wider park community offers a unique early year learning experience; our children sing with elderly residents and those with diverse educational needs, use community sports halls, and visit the animal gardens on the site. These are real connections with the world beyond the nursery, woven into the rhythm of everyday life, and they give children an understanding of community and belonging that enriches their early years in a way no classroom activity alone could replicate.
Our well qualified and experienced nursery team are incredibly passionate about growing the next generation and inspiring their learning and development journeys. Some team members have worked here for nearly three decades and that level of consistency is important for supporting children and families throughout their early years childcare experience. Several reviews mention the warmth and professionalism of team members, and how children settle quickly and return happily each day.
Stay and play sessions run throughout the year, organised around cultural moments and seasonal changes. These are offered at the start or end of the day to fit around working families, and across all age groups, so that staying connected to your child’s day at nursery is more accessible.
The park’s 60-space car park sits right outside our nursery, making drop-off and collection safe and convenient. The nursery is also served by direct bus routes and cycling routes, with secure bike storage and a buggy store for families who travel on foot or by public transport.
Our carefully curated rotating seasonal menu is freshly prepared on site, and families report that children enjoy a good variety of foods at mealtimes. Updates throughout the day via the nursery app, a daily handover at collection, and regular parents’ evenings with your child’s key person all keep communication flowing so that you stay close to your child’s early years education and the fun they are having throughout the day.
If you are looking for a nursery in Knowle with outstanding outdoor provision, a genuinely connected community setting and a long-standing team that families trust, we would love to show you why Partou Little Big Steps is a great fit for your family.
Facilities
A beautiful, purpose-built building in a stunning park location
Highly qualified, experienced staff who are experts in early years care and education
Healthy and delicious meals from our seasonal menu, freshly prepared at the nursery
Well equipped outdoor areas which children of all ages can explore, come rain or shine
Fabulous learning activities, tailored around the unique needs and interests of each child
Funded childcare places available
Nursery fees
| Full-day (2 sessions) |
Weekly rate | Early drop off session | Morning session | Afternoon session | |
| Session time | 8.00am-6.00pm | 8.00am-6.00pm daily | 7.00am-8.00am | 8.00am-1.00pm | 1.00pm-6.00pm |
| 0-3 year olds | |||||
| Care | £73.25 | £329.63 | £10.65 | £43.95 | £43.95 |
| Meals & snacks | £9.85 | £49.25 | £5.60 | £4.25 | |
| Consumables | £3.15 | £15.75 | £1.80 | £1.35 | |
| Total | £86.25 | £394.63 | £51.35 | £49.55 | |
| 3+ year olds | |||||
| Care | £60.25 | £271.13 | £8.75 | £36.15 | £36.15 |
| Meals & snacks | £9.85 | £49.25 | £5.60 | £4.25 | |
| Consumables | £3.15 | £15.75 | £1.80 | £1.35 | |
| Total | £73.25 | £336.13 | £43.55 | £41.75 | |
Upon registration, you will be asked to pay a £75 registration fee (non-refundable) or a £75 registration deposit to reserve your child’s nursery place (see terms and conditions for eligibility).
What’s included in our fees?
Our full fees are clearly broken down into care, meals & snacks and consumables fees for full transparency.
Care fees include: trained, qualified team members taking care of your child, regular updates about your child and their progress at nursery, a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities tailored to the needs of your child, and use of the nursery building facilities.
Meals & snacks fees cover the cost of all food and drinks whilst your child is in our care. Meal and snack times are a very important part of Partou nursery life, learn more about how we make food and nutrition enjoyable and educational for children in our care.
Consumables include; important daily care items needed such as nappies, wet wipes and sun cream.
Discounts
Only one discount can be applied at any time:
- 5% discount for eldest child for siblings.
- 5% discount for Blue Light Card holders.
Other key information
- We’re closed on bank holidays.
- We close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
Funded childcare
Partou Little Big Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School is proud to offer funded childcare places
Funded childcare is a government incentive fulfilled by Local Authorities which aims to provide financial support for eligible families accessing childcare at an OFSTED registered setting. Partou Little Big Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School work with Bristol Local Authority to apply childcare funding for eligible families.
Funding typically covers 15 or 30 hours per week for the 38 term weeks of the year across a maximum of 10 hours a day which will be applied in different ways depending how many weeks of the year your child is in childcare:
- Children who are in year-round childcare will receive “stretched” funding. This means that their 15/30 hours over 38 weeks will be stretched over 52 weeks of the year so children accessing year round childcare at Partou Little Big Steps will receive 10.96/21.92 hours of funded childcare per week.
- Children who have term-time only childcare places will receive 15/30 hours funding per week over 38 weeks of the year. Term-time only places are limited and are subject to availability.
Government funding for childcare only applies to the care fee (as described above). Meals & snacks and consumables fees are fully chargeable for all sessions including funded.
Many families are eligible for government funded childcare, see our childcare funding guide for more information.
Term duration and dates
The 2025/2026 terms dates set by Bristol Local Authority for Partou Little Big Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School are below so you can see which term dates funding is applicable for:
|
|
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| Term Duration | 13 Weeks | 12 Weeks | 13 Weeks |
| 1st Half Term Dates | 8th Sept – 24th Oct | 5th Jan – 13th Feb | 20th April – 22nd May |
| 2nd Half Term Dates | 3rd Nov – 12th Dec | 23rd Feb – 3rd April | 1st June – 24th July |
Please note that when you access funding in the term can impact the hours you are eligible for within that term period.
Our team will be able to assist you with any funding and term questions you may have.
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Little Big Steps
Day Nursery
& Pre-school
01173 776370
Mon - Fri, 7.00am to 6.00pm (excl. bank holidays)
The Park Centre, Daventry Rd, Knowle, Bristol BS4 1DQ
View on map
What do families say about Partou Little Big Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School in Knowle?
Overall rating
67%
31%
0%
2%
0%
Carlos P
17 April 2026
A great team and they really take care of my daughter, many thanks to the team for all the patience and interest my daughter can show. My only recommendation would be to include more details in the app about what food was served and any concerns regarding her development. I enjoy reading the news l...
Sophie K
13 April 2026
We've been really impressed with Little Big Steps and they've been brilliant in helping our little one settle into nursery. As a very attached Little baby he and I were both anxious about his enrolment into nursery but Sarah and the team have been so nurturing, reassuring and fantastic at helping hi...
R F
10 April 2026
My daughter has settled in really well at Little Big Steps. The staff are always kind and friendly and she has made good relationships with her carers. There is a range of activities for play, including outside space, and different foods to try at mealtimes.
Georgia B
05 March 2026
Our daughter started at LBS about 6 weeks ago and it has been such a positive experience for us all. She's settled in really well already thanks to the kind, gentle and caring staff. They're even managing to get her down for naps (which is a real challenge) - amazing! We get lots of detailed updates ...
Chloe C
05 March 2026
I have to admit I was a little apprehensive about sending my daughter to LBS due to events that have happened there in the past. However, I am so pleased we have decided to send her here. She has settled so well into the baby room, she has learned new actions and new words and her confidence is grow...
S S
28 February 2026
Our son started at Little Big Steps in June 2025. He settled in so quickly with the help of the staff in the baby rooms and loves his time there, often talking about the staff and his nursery friends when he gets home. We've found that improved staffing levels has led to an improvement in communicati...
V G
27 February 2026
Very nice and friendly staff, lovely place organised and clean . I was very happy with my first kid being there and now my second one is really enjoying too. The option for early seating is really helpful.
Suraj T
27 February 2026
My son Suryansh attends Partou Little Big Steps Day Nursery & Pre-school in the Buttercups group, and we are extremely happy with the care he receives. He joined at 1 year 4 months old and has completed five months, during which we've seen great progress in his speech, reactions, confidence, and inde...
A K
26 February 2026
Having two children attend Little Big Steps over the past 4 years, I've seen dramatic changes and improvements over the last year particularly. Room leaders are clearly highly trained, professional and deeply care about the wellbeing and development of the children. I've observed management really...
L C
25 February 2026
We couldn't be happier with our experience at Little Big Steps Nursery. My son has been with the nursery for quite a while now and has progressed through many of the different classes, from the baby room all the way up to Bluebells. Watching his journey through each stage has been so reassuring and h...
C E
20 February 2026
I am very happy with the staff at LBS DR particularly since the incident with Ofsted. We have noticed a marked change in practice and culture about the core staff. We have a 1 year old and a 4 year old at the nursery as well as nieces. Although we feel that they could try to organise some events ou...
D C
30 January 2026
We are extremely happy with this nursery. The staff are kind, patient and truly care about the children. Our child feels safe, loved and happy every day, which means everything to us as parents. Communication with the team is great, and we really appreciate how attentive and supportive they are. We h...
E M
22 January 2026
Feel at ease the minute we drop our daughter to nursery. She has built great relationships with staff and other children and is always happy when we peak through the door before collection. Communication and feedback from staff and management is great. The nursery as a whole is very welcoming and has...
John F
03 December 2025
I truly feel that the nursery has improved so much, both personally and in its overall structure. The staff are incredibly friendly, caring, and dedicated. I feel confident knowing that our Noah is happy and enjoying himself there. Thank you for the difference you're making every day. Kudos to Emma ...
Lindsey M
03 December 2025
The staff at LBS have been extremely caring and nurturing towards our daughter, especially her key person and the assistant manager, Emma. Our daughter really admires her teachers and it is clear she loves interacting with them. The facility is great and the activities they plan are excellent.
Why Partou?
For us at Partou, childcare isn’t just a job, it’s a journey – one where every child leads us in a unique new direction.
As part of the Netherlands’ largest childcare group, we’ve access to world-leading expertise in learning and development, so you can be confident your child will benefit from an experience as unique as they are.
Of course, care is as much about empathy as education, and ours is a child-led approach that emphasises building confidence and curiosity – so that every child in our care has the freedom to flourish.
Reassurance for you and your little one
Care
We’re more than just a team; we’re a close community driven by our passion for childcare, and our commitment to each individual child’s development. We know that by working together, we’re stronger.
Compassion
In our community, compassion isn’t just a word; it’s our way of life. By embracing our differences, we make our community more diverse and vibrant. We build strong, supportive relationships with the children and each other, based on trust and understanding.
Continuous learning
We believe strongly in development, for the children in our care and for ourselves. Through continuous learning, we help our team and our children reach their full potential. Together, we make a positive impact, in our communities and across wider society.
Helpful information for your nursery search
Understanding the Ofsted inspection changes
Ofsted are making important changes to the way that they inspect and rate children's services and childcare settings; learn what these are and what they mean for families.
Working Family Childcare Funding Explained
From 1st September, more families than ever will be eligible for the government’s expanded “30 hours free childcare” scheme. Our guide explains what working family childcare funding is, who qualifies, how it’s applied, and the steps you need to take to claim it. Whether you need term-time ...