Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend

Wendover House, 170 Downend Road, Bristol BS16 5EB
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9.1 27 Reviews
  • Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend, Bristol
Red Bus Downend was once a maternity hospital - now the large rooms and original features provide a backdrop to fantastic childcare provision!

Set back from Downend Road, it is easily accessible from Emersons Green, Fishponds, Frenchay, Mangotsfield – and with the Ring Road only a 5 minute drive away, much further afield too. It sits directly on a bus route from the city centre, there’s as dedicated parent car park as well as plenty of free street parking, as well as bike racks.

The Grade II listed building runs over four flours, including a bespoke kitchen and dining area in the basement. Each room is bright and open, with a unique layout which only adds to the charm. With calming sensory areas in Nursery, the 21 foot glass fronted yurt in Kindergarten, a one-of-a-kind Sensory Room in Pre-School and the huge freshly landscaped gardens that sweep around the building - there’s something for everyone at Red Bus Downend.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Lynsey Elliott (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 74

Total Places for Children

  • 116

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • 3 Months - 3 Years
    Early Start: 7.30am-8am - £10.00
    All Day Session: 8am-6pm - £92.00
    AM session: 8am-1pm - £64.00
    PM session: 1pm-6pm - £58.00


    3 Years and Over
    Early Start: 7.30am-8am - £10.00
    All Day Session: 8am-6pm - £90.00
    AM session: 8am-1pm - £60.00
    PM session: 1pm-6pm - £54.00


    The above fees do not incorporate any Local Authority funded hours.


    • Full day funded session (10 hours): £26 total (£20 catering, £3 consumables, £3 enrichment) ++
    • Half day funded session (5 hours): £13 total (£10 catering, £1.50 consumables, £1.50 enrichment) ++
    • Part-funded session: Any hours not covered by funding are charged at a non-funded hourly rate of £9.40

  • Children must be booked to attend at least two full day sessions per week. Discounts are offered for siblings and full time bookings, please fill out an enquiry form to receive a detailed fee sheet. Please contact the setting for a more accurate estimate of costs where funded hours are taken.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • They have a private car park for parents directly outside the nursery. Residential parking is also available.

Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend Reviews (27)

9.1

Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend has a Review Score of 9.1 (9.103) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend has 27 reviews.

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Reviewer Connection to Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
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Total of 27, showing 1-20
Review from Monia I (Mother of Child) published on 24 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are having such a great experience with Red Bus Downend! From day one, we have been feeling that our baby was well looked after, involved in lots of great activities, and always with an attention for his specific needs...and as parents we have felt part of the plan, always involved and heard! A huge
thank you to the nursery staff who have been absolutely brilliant in supporting us in our baby's first months at nursery, and to the management, administration and others who clearly put so much effort in taking care of every aspect of the nursery experience, every day!
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Hi Monia, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. It's so important that parents feel a part of life at Red Bus, so hearing that you feel heard and involved means a lot to us. We're…read more
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Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Red Bus Nursery and Pre School Downend is a fantastic nursery and staff are always so welcoming, happy and friendly. My daughter has a fantastic time in all the rooms and varied activities. Communication and management is excellent would highly recommend.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to write up this lovely a review! We're really pleased you highlighted our communication, it's really important that we keep an open dialogue with our…read more
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Review from Jessica F (Mother of Child) published on 24 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolutely fantastic experience with Redbus Downend. From the very first interactions via email and the viewing the excellence really came across. Everything has been though out with the child at the centre of all the details, how the best support them and help them flourish. My sons is key worker has
been brilliant and we are so greatful to all her on going care, she is gold! As is our son's self appointed buddy, she is such a wonderful support and all interactions with her are great. Thank you to the extended staff in the nursery, you are such a great team. This is the biggest transition and Redbus helped support our family so well throughout. Feel very lucky to be part of the Redbus journey.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! We're really proud of our customer journey from the very first enquiry, and pleased to hear it's been great for you so far. We really…read more
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Review from I E (Mother of Child) published on 4 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent, In future if I had a child I will come back to red bus again. Red bus has huge impact of my daughter learning, speaking developments. I am so grateful helping her potty training along side with me. Overall I want to thank each member of red bus pre school staff who my helped my daughter
through out the time. She is confident than before, become more friendly.. all credit goes to red bus pre school staff. 'Thank you' is little word for your great contribution.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review. We are so pleased to hear how we have supported your child with her development, we are very proud of our team too! Your kind words mean a…read more
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Review from S P (Mother of Child) published on 29 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so grateful for the love and support our child has received from Red Bus nursery & preschool. The outside facilities are second to none (especially for a city setting) but the really exceptional thing about it is the staff. They are a close-knit, diverse bunch of people who clearly adore the
children and go above and beyond to make each child feel heard and special. Our son was slower to develop his social skills with other children, but clearly wanted to join in, and Red Bus identified this and worked with him in small groups to help build his confidence. He is now doing fantastically, and is in a great position for school a lot of which is down to Red Bus.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Hello, thank you so much for taking the time to review us! It gives us so much joy to read what you've said about our staff team - we couldn't agree more, they are what make Red Bus the incredible…read more
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Review from Esme R (Mother of Child) published on 28 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has been very well taken care of by Redbus since he started in the baby room at 16 months old, I found a trusted provider in Redbus to whom I felt wholly confident leaving my baby in the care of. I would like to say a massive thank you to and all of the Redbus family for taking exceptional
care of my son throughout his journey. You have all taught him so much and helped shape him into the caring, loving, independent and confident child he has become. He has learnt so many life skills during his time at Redbus. I also want to say thank you to the lady in the office for always helping me with any office requests I've had. Thank you to the Chef and team for ensuring my sons allergies are always catered for and alternatives provided were always inclusive. It's a very bittersweet goodbye as we move on to the next chapter at school and all the staff will be missed.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! We really appreciate your kind words and have truly enjoyed having your child with us over the last few years. We wish you all the best of luck…read more
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Review from Rebecca G (Mother of Child) published on 14 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been going to Red Bus in Downend for 2 years now and they've been so helpful and caring every step of the way. Their admin staff are so prompt and knowledgeable and all the staff in each room we've encountered have been great. Especially since our son's move to the kindergarten room, they've
helped so much with his development and bringing him out of his shell.
The staff genuinely really care for the kids and the food is always lovely too. They make the funding and free hours really easy to process too. I've got friends and family who also send their children here and really glad I listened to their recommendations.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Thank you so much for your kind review! We're pleased to hear we came recommended, and that you've enjoyed your time with us so far.
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Review from Kathryn E (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This review relates to a specific incident that was so amazingly dealt with, I had to share!
There was an incident where a child became quite poorly when having lunch in a communal area, and as a mum of another child who goes to Red Bus, I'm really comforted to hear how amazing the situation was dealt
with. I can only imagine how scary those kinds of situations are, and I have no idea how I would react, so fair play to the team for confidently and compassionately managing the situation and the other children!
For some context, I have a nephew with additional physical needs (easily choked when he was younger and needed supervision) and I remember my sister feeling upset when a couple of nurseries she looked at for him were obviously (and understandably) not confident in managing him, and the relief she felt when finding a nursery that was able to react to medical emergencies. I really appreciate, and I'm so grateful for, the Red Bus team and hope they know how amazing they are.
Reply from Alice Thres, Marketing Assistant at Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are also incredibly proud of our amazing team for how they managed that incident, it means a lot to know families appreciate it too.
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Review from Hannah P (Mother of Child) published on 30 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both our children attend Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend. Our eldest has been there nearly four years now and absolutely thrives, he’ll be sad to leave in September I am sure! Our youngest started in January and considering the circumstances, has settled brilliantly.
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Review from Amy F (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2019 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
So pleased with Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend - staff are friendly and always happy to help and hear and deal with any concerns and worries. My daughter has been attending for over a year and asks every day if she’s going to nursery today! She comes running to me when I collect her telling
me all the activities she has done that day and who she’s played with. Happy child happy mummy!
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Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 14 January 2019 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The nursery seems to provide a good level of learning, care and resources. The nursery staff have been very supportive and caring of my child. Initially, reception staff were a bit abrupt but have since been friendlier. I generally think the nursery provides a good level of service but I am unsure why
they are so more expensive than other nurseries.
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Review from Jennie R (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Red Bus since April 2017 and we’ve all been very happy with the nursery. The building is light and roomy and suits the different ages and activities well. There are a lot of activities offered such as a water room, forest school, a yurt with natural toys, plus chickens.
The best thing is the staff though, as they seem very caring, respectful, fun and attentive. It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into the structure, methods and training, but with the development of the child still at the centre. My daughter has gained so much with language, imaginative play, and friendships in a setting that has a great balance of letting children learn through play, and I love how much she can go outside to play. She also enjoys the variety of food which seems to be nutritious and good quality.
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Review from Lisa A (Mother of Child) published on 12 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolutely fantastic nursery and pre school. My little one has been there since it opened and I wouldn’t dream of sending her anywhere else. They help so much to her development and her character. Wonderful staff and extremely helpful and caring.
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Review from Louise S (Mother of Child) published on 12 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School is a fantastic nursery. My son has been so happy in the nursery and now in kindergarten. The facilities and setting are excellent, the range of activities are brilliant, communication to parents is great. But what really makes this place are the amazing staff: kind, helpful,
friendly, professional. My son adores them. Since starting at nursery he has become more confident and is thriving.
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Review from Genna T (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
From day one my son has absolutely loved Red Bus, Downed.


His carers are friendly, experienced and genuinely want to nurture and develop the children.


Communication and regular one to one carers are excellent, Red Bus has helped my son for school and I am truly grateful.

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Review from Louis J (Father of Child) published on 20 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic facilities and staff. My daughter loves going to nursery! She'll miss it when she goes to school.
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Review from Lisa B (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our daughter started in pre-school in January 2017. She settled well and has a great keyworker. We are so impressed that in only 2 months she has cracked potty training, know her phonics and is writing letters. My daughter is 2 turns 3 in 25th March. We love all the space for the children and diversity
of activities. Improvements would be better communication with home/parents, better registration i.e signing children in and out at the moment no consistency, closer monitoring of child cleanliness and changing their clothes if covered head to toe in mud. Also for children to have their own drawer for pictures they do.
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Review from Helen D (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our Daughter has been at Red Bus Nursery since June 2015. She loves going to nursery and has made lots of friends. The staff are great with her and really seem to know and understand her. She loves the food there, they have lots of lovely things on the menu that are ideal for young children. I cannot
recommend them enough! Thank you Red Bus for taking such good care of our daughter while we are at work, it is so reassuring knowing that she is in safe hands and is having lots of fun!
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Review from Kirsty H (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I'm very happy with Red Bus - my daughter has settled in so well - she's developed so much since starting. They take her to forest school and she really enjoys the water room. The staff are very welcoming and friendly and the food is amazing. I recommended this nursery to all my friends and family.
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Review from Amy H (Mother of Child) published on 17 June 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sending our little girl to nursery had been an anxious time for us as I was returning to work at the same time but the staff has been so reassuring and taken extra time with our little girl to help her settle in.
It only took her a month of half days to really settle into nursery. Having naps, eating
all her meals and playing with all the toys.
Now she has been going to Red Bus for 3 months now and every morning when my husband drops off she can not wait to go in and play and smiles and waves us goodbye.
We also really love the app they have where we get updates during the day with photos and videos, and she is always happy, which makes us happy parents. We love the secure roof top garden and the water room.
We pick her up a happy baby and giggles and smiles all the way home.


The staff are amazing at what they do, always smiling and friendly. Knows each individual child very well and cares about learning and development.
Thank you Red Bus Downend!

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Current Review Score: 9.1 (9.103)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.1 (9.103) out of 10 for Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.1 out of 5 from 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.958 for Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend is calculated as follows: ( (92 Excellents x 5) + (4 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 96 Ratings = 4.958
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.145 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend is based on 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.8
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 116 number of registered child places is 23.2. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 23.2 = 0.345
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (2)

Lynsey

Lynsey Elliot

Job Title: Early Years Manager Joined: 2023

Lynsey is a very experienced manager, working in nurseries for over a decade. She joined us in January 2023.


In addition to her holding a BTEC Diploma in Early Years and a Degree in Educational Studies, she also has Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), Level 3 Forest School accreditation, Level 3 SENCO award and Level 3 Business Management. This is all a testament to Lynsey’s eagerness to keep learning and developing!

Rhiannon

Rhiannon Millett

Job Title: Practice Manager Joined: 2016

Rhi started her Red Bus journey in 2016 as a Level 6 Practitioner, after completing her degree in Early Childhood Studies. In 2017 she was promoted to Nursery Lead Practitioner and in 2020 became Practice Manager. Her role is all about managing and maintaining a high level of good-quality practice across the setting.

Frequently Asked Questions about Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend

What is the Age Range of Children that Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend accepts?

Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend Open?

Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend is open: Monday 07:30-18:30, Tuesday 07:30-18:30, Wednesday 07:30-18:30, Thursday 07:30-18:30, Friday 07:30-18:30.

How many Children does Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend have capacity for?

Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend has capacity for a total of 116 Children.

How far is Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend to the centre of Bristol?

3.9 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Red Bus Nursery & Pre-School - Downend has an Enhanced Service - more info.