Mama Bear's Day Nursery & Pre-School (Totterdown)

We’ve been using Mama Bear's Day Nursery & Pre-School (Totterdown) for three years and have been through all three of their rooms. I was really comfortable leaving both of my babies in the baby room, the staff genuinely care and they experience so many activities that I’d struggle to recreate regularly at home. As they’ve moved up through the nursery we’ve seen their social skills develop and they really enjoy their time there. Updates on their progress could be more frequent but the new app has helped me feel connected. We love the pictures and comments so are always eager for more. We know they take parts in lots of activities and often bring things home that they’ve made. A safe space that I trust and my children love.

My daughter has been attending since she was six months old and loves it. All the staff are responsive to questions about her development and if additional help is required. There are plenty of activities planned during the day for them including out door play. I'm more than happy with my choice of my nursery and would highly recommend it to other people.

My daughter has attended Mama Bear's Day Nursery & Pre-School (Totterdown) since November 2019. She absolutely loves it! She's thriving there! She's always happy, learning new things and adapts well. The staff are wonderful, all so friendly and accommodating. I know my daughter is safe there, being well looked after. She eats well, plays well and always comes out smiling! Lovely outdoor sections and I can't fault it.

Both my daughters are really happy at Mama Bear's. They do a range of activities, arts and crafts and learn lots of songs, letters and numbers. It is a supportive and educational setting. They have also benefited from mixing with other children. The staff are always friendly, kind and encouraging.

A lovely nursery. My little girl was in the Babyroom and the girls welcomed her with a smile every session. The room always had some sort of creative or texture play available even at 1yr. The room leader always swapped the resources to extend the children's interest. The setting could definitely do with some new resources as everything looks used! Which is expected but fresh resources would make the setting a lot more engaging for the children. Very happy with the baby room girls. My little lady loves them all and the girls give a written and verbal handover form. I keep mine. The menu, however, could do with being better they have the same meals frequently and they aren't the best!

We have two children at Mama Bear's, Bristol. Our youngest (8 months) started and transitioned to full time very quickly. The staff were great in helping her transition successfully, keeping us updated on her progress both in person and online. They even brought her older brother in to see her and have them outside together to help the younger one feel at home. This makes the elder excited to "share" his space with her. I'm amazed at how well the transition has gone.

I will be very sad to see her leave and would not hesitate to recommend the nursery to family and friends.

Whilst there has been a large turnover of staff, the staff and Manager that are now in place are really great and have quickly improved the atmosphere and environment. Both my children love going there, we feel supported as a family and would recommend it to anyone!

My daughter has grown in confidence since coming to Mama Bear's and staff are caring. She has been supported with potty training. However, I do have concerns. I was told that in the next room there would be structured activities with more emphasis on numeracy/literacy but this is not always the case. Some days there doesn't seem to be any structured learning in place and I'm told she spent the day in the soft play area. I know she would thrive if given activities such as making things, painting, etc each day. I find communication between staff members and to parents is weak e.g. using the correct nappies and being told term dates. There is an inconsistency with being told what she eats. I am told she has eaten everything and when I have collected her she has left most of her food. It would be good if aprons/bibs were used more to ensure she is kept clean/dry. Children do get messy during the day but if she is doing messy/water play - she needs an apron on otherwise she will get very wet.

I suffer from separation anxiety so it was really hard for me to let go of my children's care to a preschool. However, the staff were very caring, understanding and professional. They managed to get my twin boys ready for school and through their support, out of nappies. I am very grateful to all the staff and their kindness.