City’s first centre for childcare and health

A Bristol nursery school rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, has become the city’s first centre for children under five years.

Ilminster Avenue Nursery School has merged with Footprints Children’s Centre to provide both childcare and health services.

The centre caters for families of children from birth to five in Knowle and Hengrove and children across South Bristol with complex learning difficulties.

A hydrotherapy pool, sensory room and soft play facilities and outdoor learning area are all located on site.

Area Health Manager for North Bristol NHS Trust, Anne Gulliford, said: “The opening of the specialist children’s centre in South Bristol has enabled North Bristol NHS Trust’s Community Children’s Health Partnership and Barnardo’s to deliver children’s community health services in the area in which the children and their families live.

“The centre gives all clinicians involved in the care of children with complex needs, the opportunity to work in one building and work together to meet the needs of these children.”