Nurseries and childcare in Shortstown
We know of 25 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers within 3 miles of the middle of Shortstown. 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 within 3 miles of the middle of Shortstown
- Cherry Trees Nursery SchoolGood or better Standards maintained (2025) · 1.6 mi · phone and directions
- Peter Pan Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Outstanding (2023) · 2.1 mi · 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 near Shortstown, nearest first
- Barford Avenue Day Care Centre Child care and day care · 1.4 miles Barford Ave, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Cherry Trees Nursery School Elementary school · 1.6 miles Hawkins Rd, Bedford, MK42 9LS Call
- Elstow Preschool - The Ladybirds Preschool · 1.7 miles Bunyan Christian Fellowship Hall, High Street, Elstow, Bedford, MK42 9XP Call
- Nancys Childcare Child care and day care · 1.8 miles St Helenas Garden, Elstow, MK42 Call
- Dawn Til Dusk Lakeview Preschool Preschool · 1.8 miles School Lane, Wixams, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Southway Nursery School Preschool · 1.8 miles Ampthill Rd, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Little Explorer's Childminding Day care preschool · 2.0 miles Barkers Lane, Bedford, MK41 Call
- Warren Childcare Centre Hospital · 2.0 miles Southfields Rd, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Peter Pan Nursery School Preschool · 2.0 miles Edward Rd, Bedford, MK42 9DR Call
- Kiddi Caru Day Nursery and Preschool Home service · 2.1 miles 7 Holme St, Bedford, MK42 9AU 5 Call
- Lavenders Day Nursery Day care preschool · 2.2 miles 19 Bushmead Ave, Bedford, MK40 3QJ 5 Call
- The Lodge Playgroup Preschool · 2.2 miles Orchard St, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Keep Guard Day Nursery Child care and day care · 2.3 miles Walcourt Rd, Kempston, MK42 8SJ 5 Call
- Happy Days Childcare Home service · 2.4 miles Spring Rd, Bedford, MK42 Call
- Smarteez Preschool · 2.5 miles Meadway, Bedford, MK41 Call
- Goldington Community Nursery Day care preschool · 2.5 miles Downside, Bedford, MK41 9JA 5 Call
- Banana Moon Day Nursery Day care preschool · 2.6 miles 132 Bedford Rd, Bedford, MK42 8BQ 5 Call
- Bedford Central Children's Centre Child care and day care · 2.6 miles Priory Lower School, Bedford, MK40 1JD Call
- Puddleducks Nursery & Pre-School Colmworth Day care preschool · 2.6 miles Church Road, Colmworth, Bedford, MK44 Call
- Overdale Tots Preschool · 2.7 miles Bedford, MK41 Call
- Debbie's Day Care Home service · 2.8 miles Westbourne Centre, Westbourne Road, Bedford, MK40 4PQ Call
- Kingfisher Day Centre Day care preschool · 3.0 miles 32 Putnoe Heights, Bedford, MK41 8EB Call
- Bunyan Preschool Preschool · 3.0 miles Kempston West Methodist Church, High Street, Kempston, Bedford, MK42 7AL Call
- Hazeldene Heights Pre School Preschool · 3.0 miles Putnoe Heights, Bedford, MK41 8EB Call
- Foxgloves Childrens Home Child care and day care · 3.0 miles Bromham Rd, Bedford, MK40 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.
Nurseries and childcare nearby
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 Shortstown?
We know of 25 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers within 3 miles of the middle of Shortstown, including 2 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
More in Shortstown
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.