Nurseries and childcare in Bedford
We know of 57 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Bedford. 2 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 2 judged good or better. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
State nursery schools across Bedford
- Cherry Trees Nursery SchoolGood or better Standards maintained (2025) · phone and directions
- Peter Pan Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Outstanding (2023) · phone and directions
Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- Banana Moon Day Nursery Day care preschool 132 Bedford Rd, Bedford, MK42 8BQ 5 Call
- Goldington Community Nursery Day care preschool Downside, Bedford, MK41 9JA 5 Call
- Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool Home service 7 Holme St, Bedford, MK42 9AU 5 Call
- Lavenders Day Nursery Day care preschool 19 Bushmead Ave, Bedford, MK40 3QJ 5 Call
- Little Fishes Day Nursery Day care preschool 4 Molivers Ln, Bedford, MK43 8JT 5 Call
- Little Steps Day Care Home service Ravensden Rd, Bedford, MK41 5 Call
- Barford Avenue Day Care Centre Child care and day care Barford Ave, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Bev Childminder Bedford Preschool Reynolds Close, Bedford, MK41 Call
- Bizzy Bees Preschool 128 Bedford Rd, Bedford, MK43 9JD Call
- Blue Orkids Wootton Nursery Preschool Innovation Wy, Bedford, MK43 9SP Call
- Bunyan Preschool Preschool Kempston West Methodist Church, High Street, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7AL Call
- Cherry Trees Nursery School Elementary school Hawkins Rd, Bedford, MK42 9LS Call
- Dawn Til Dusk Lakeview Preschool Preschool School Lane, Wixams, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Debbie's Day Care Home service Westbourne Centre, Westbourne Road, Bedford, MK40 4PQ Call
- Elstow Preschool - The Ladybirds Preschool Bunyan Christian Fellowship Hall, High Street, Elstow, Bedford, MK42 9XP Call
- Footsteps Nursery School Preschool Biddenham Turn, Bedford, MK40 Call
- Foxgloves Childrens Home Child care and day care Bromham Rd, Bedford, MK40 Call
- GrassrootsNursery Day care preschool Mill View Farm, Hargrave , Wellingborough, NN9 6BE Call
- Inn Farm Private Day Nursery Day care preschool Inn Farm, Knotting Rd, Bedford, MK44 Call
- Keep Guard Day Nursery Child care and day care Walcourt Rd, Kempston, MK42 8SJ 5 Call
- Kingfisher Day Centre Day care preschool 32 Putnoe Heights, Bedford, MK41 8EB Call
- Little Steps Day Care Child care and day care Ravensden Rd, Renhold, MK41 Call
- Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Bedford Day care preschool 78 Shakespeare Rd, Bedford, MK40 2DN Call
- Overdale Tots Preschool Bedford, MK41 Call
Choosing a nursery
- Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
- Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
- Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
- Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.
Questions people ask
What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?
Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.
Can I get free childcare hours?
In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?
Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.
How many nurseries are there in Bedford?
We know of 57 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Bedford, including 2 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
Other things people look for
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.