Aristotots Nursery School
Good★ 4.1 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Bedford for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2022. Open since 2001, with 76 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Bedford
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Bedford from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
MK40 3LHWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 10 November 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children's emotional well-being is enhanced by the caring staff, with whom children form close relationships. They demonstrate positive, friendly behaviour, as they are greeted by welcoming staff. As a result, children separate from their parents with ease. Children are confident and curious. Older children introduce themselves to visitors and ask them questions. Younger children enjoy comfort from staff, who they seek out for cuddles and reassurance. This demonstrates that children feel safe and secure in the nursery.
Children learn the importance of healthy lifestyles. They take part in daily teeth cleaning and wash their hands independently. During mealtimes, babies and young children are challenged to use cutlery to feed themselves independently. Older children learn to safely walk downstairs to the garden. They listen and understand staff's instructions to hold the handrail. Outdoors, children enjoy exploring the inviting garden. They develop their physical skills as they negotiate obstacles on their bikes and scooters. Children develop pre-writing skills by strengthening their arm muscles as they swing on the trapeze. They talk about the 'cold' and 'windy'
garden and say their hats and gloves keep them warm. Children develop a love of nature and enjoy caring for the nursery rabbits that live in the garden.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- improve the consistency of teaching so that all staff use a range of higher level interactions that encourage children to draw on their existing knowledge and experience, and extend children's growing vocabulary.
- 10 November 2022Good
- 14 February 2017Good
- 15 August 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Aristotots Nursery School
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.