Places are available on our waiting list. Contact us to arrange a visit.
About Bright Start Nursery
At Bright Start, our aim is to provide a high-quality, inclusive, and safe learning environment.
We believe that children learn best through playing and doing. The well-being and happiness of each child is of utmost importance to us.
We work in partnership with parents to ensure there's a holistic approach to their children’s learning. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.
We work with a diverse cohort of families and children, and our staff team is committed to providing high-quality play and learning experiences to all.
We are a full daycare nursery for children aged from 3 months to 5 years.
Our most recent Ofsted report said, "Children are very happy and safe in this vibrant, busy and stimulating nursery. Every child's unique qualities are understood and catered for. Parents say how staff go 'above and beyond' what they expect and they confirm how happy they are with the level of care provided."
Our environment
Our nursery is separated into 2 environments: the Explorers and the Adventurers. Both learning environments are designed to help children feel secure and stimulated and to support their learning.
With a range of quality educational toys and resources, children can make choices independently and initiate their own learning or take part in stimulating activities, with the support and guidance of our staff.
We're a busy nursery and pride ourselves on offering a personal family feel.
The Explorers environment
The Explorers is for children aged 3 months to 2.5 years.
Children of this age share a room, with an adult-to-child ratio of 1:3 for under 2s and 1:4 for over 2’s.
Children are encouraged to access all areas of the room, including:
- messy and creative play
- physical activities
- story areas
- a safe cosy space for younger babies to play in
The room benefits from a separate sleep space.
The Adventurers environment
The Adventurers is for children aged 2.5 years to 5 years.
This environment consists of 3 separate rooms.
The main play space gives children opportunities for tabletop play and a cosy book corner. We have a dedicated art area where children enjoy sand and water play, as well as letting their imaginations run wild.
Our Tigers room has loose parts and role-play and is designed to appeal to our 2-year-olds.
Our Elephants room is our sleeping space and an area we also use for small group work.
Outside area
Our outside area is surprisingly spacious for a city centre location. Children from both the Explorers and Adventurers have time each day to go outside and be active, come rain or shine.
The space includes a:
- bike track
- sandpit
- mud kitchen
- tunnel
Trees and abundantly planted borders mean that the space has a lush and natural feel. An awning provides sufficient shade on sunny days.
Our most recent Ofsted report said, "A broad and balanced curriculum means that children benefit from a wide range of activities, both inside and outside. Good use is made of the local community to support and enrich learning. For example, children in the 'Adventurers' group recently visited the local market and bought produce to make their own soup and puddings."
Our staff
All staff are either qualified or are working toward their level 3 qualification via the council’s apprenticeship scheme.
We operate a ‘key-person’ approach where each child and family has a dedicated worker supporting them with all aspects of their settling, their development and their transitions.
All children also have a second key person, who can support them if their key person is absent.
We have an Early Years teacher who supports all of the learning across the whole setting.
Our most recent Ofsted report said, "The staff team is extremely well qualified and very experienced. Staff are very dedicated to the children in their care and ensure every precaution is taken to keep children safe."
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
We cater for children with a wide variety of additional needs and differing abilities. We're inclusive and passionate about all children that we care for.
We have a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCO) and many staff who are experienced in caring for children with additional needs.
Our most recent Ofsted report said, "Particularly good provision is in place to support children who need extra help with their learning."
Inclusion
At Bright Start Nursery, all families are welcome. Around half of our children speak one or more languages. We celebrate this by encouraging and welcoming families to share stories and songs in their home languages.
We access services such as EMAS (Ethnic Minority Achievement Service) to support us with some children if needed.
Our most recent Ofsted report said, "Staff work hard to make sure every child feels valued. This is illustrated well by a child aged 3 years who recently said as he left to go home from nursery, 'I belong here'."
Food
Bright Start Nursery provides healthy snacks and a breakfast that consists of healthy cereal and toast. Cow’s milk and water are provided at snack and breakfast times. Fresh drinking water is available at all times.
For lunch and tea, parents have the option of supplying a packed lunch or purchasing a meal.
Breakfasts are included in the below fees. Lunches and teas are optional and charged separately.
Flexible, emergency and occasional care
Ad-hoc sessions may be booked subject to availability for children already attending the nursery. We'll consider each request for occasional or emergency childcare on an individual basis, subject to availability.
Transport options
Bright Start Nursery can be accessed on all major bus routes, with the closest stops being: Old Steine, North Street and Gloucester Place.
Parking is limited, but families can use the car park of the Prince Regent Swimming Pool to pick up and drop off.
Brighton Train station is a 5 to 10-minute walk away.
Opening times
We're open 51 weeks of the year.
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Funded places, session times and fees
There are now more ways than ever to reduce your childcare costs. You can benefit from a wide range of funding options depending on your circumstances and the age of your children. To find out more visit Childcare Choices.
We welcome children with funded places including all 3 and 4-year-olds.
Two-year-olds with parents in receipt of eligible benefits or tax credits are entitled to funded places, find out if you're eligible and apply online.
Three and four-year-olds whose parents work can get 30 hours of free childcare, check your eligibility.
Nursery fees from 1 April 2023
Half day - £30.00 per session
Full day - £60.00
Meals (lunch and tea) - £2.65 per meal, charged separately
Session times
Morning sessions run from 8am to 1pm (includes breakfast)
Afternoon sessions run from 1pm to 6 pm
Full-day sessions run from 8am to 6pm (includes breakfast)
Funded sessions
At Bright Start Nursery we offer funded sessions for either the 51 weeks we're open or funded-only sessions for 47.5 weeks of the year with pre-set non-attendance weeks which coincide with Christmas and school half terms.
If you want your child to have their EYFE-funded hours only, these stand-alone sessions can be taken as follows:
EYFE funding for 2-year-olds
- 12 hours per week. Either 3 half days (9am to 1pm or 1pm to 5pm) or 1 day (9am to 5pm) and 1 half day, 47.5 weeks per year
EYFE for 3 or 4 years olds
- universal offer - 12 hours per week. Either 3 half days (9am to 1pm or 1pm to 5pm) or 1 day (9am to 5pm) and 1 half day, 47.5 weeks per year
- extended offer - 24 hours per week using a combination of 9am to 1pm, 1pm to 5pm, or 9am to 1pm sessions, 47.5 weeks per year
If your child is having EYFE hours and additional non-funded hours, the funded hours can be taken over 51 weeks with:
- 11.17 hours for funded 2-year-olds and universal 3 and 4-year-olds or
- 22.35 hours for extended 3 and 4-year-olds per week
The additional hours will be charged at £6.00 per hour.
Hourly extended session 8am to 9am - £6.00
Hourly extended session 5pm to 6pm - £6.00
Meals (provided by Little Tums)
Hot lunch - £2.65
Cold tea - £2.65
Fees are calculated monthly according to the number of sessions in the month. You'll be invoiced in advance payable on the 1st of the month.
The fees will vary each month. You will not be charged for the Christmas closure.
Bank Holidays and other non-attendance
We do not charge for bank holidays. There's no reduction in charges for absence due to holiday, sickness or any other reason.
More information about session times and fees
There's a minimum requirement of 2 sessions per week.
There are no registration fees. A deposit of £200 in advance is required and will be taken off the first months fees.
We ask parents to provide wipes, nappies and lunch where applicable.
Ending your place
If you wish to end your place here at Bright Start, we require one month's notice in writing to withdraw a child from their place.
Ofsted
Ofsted URN: 130677
Latest Inspection: 18/11/2022 Inspection (Early Years Register) Inspection Judgement Good
Registration Date: 12/01/1993
Contact Bright Start Nursery
We're located at:
Bright Start Nursery
1 Barrack Yard
North Road
Brighton
BN1 1YA
To organise a visit to the nursery or find out more:
Find out more about children's centre nurseries.