Work begins on our new Snapdragons Nursery in Southville, Bristol

Architect’s image of the finished conversion

We’re really pleased to announce that planning permission has now been granted for Snapdragons Southville, meaning work can soon begin to transform the former Holy Cross RC Church on Dean Lane into a new Snapdragons nursery.

The church itself dates back to the 1920s and is a historic local building, so it’s important to us that the plans treat it with care and respect. The proposals, designed by StudioLime, take a sympathetic approach that restores the building while adapting it for its new use as a modern early years setting.

Inside the main church space, two new floors will be carefully installed within the large volume of the building. This makes the most of the generous height of the church while keeping the character of the space and preserving the exterior that people recognise.

Next door, the existing priest’s house will be demolished. In its place, we’ll build a new, smaller extension attached to the side of the church, providing the additional space needed for the nursery while sitting comfortably alongside the historic structure.

We’re excited that this project will give the building a new lease of life, bringing it back into active use and creating a fantastic nursery environment for families in Southville, Bedminster and the surrounding area. Now that permission has been granted, we’re looking forward to starting the renovation work and will be updating you with the progress.

The nursery is expected to open in summer 2027 and will have places for up to 160 children.

See what’s new in our Weston garden

It’s a new year and a new garden at Snapdragons Weston. We’ve invested in an exciting mini adventure space that excites and challenges the children, with structures for climbing, balancing, sliding, swinging and crawling, as well as a shingle-roof hut for cosier, quieter moments. We commissioned Bristol company Monkey Business Design to design and build the new garden after being impressed by their previous projects and their amazing sustainability credentials. Not only are they a small, local company, but natural environments are their passion. The wood they use is Douglas Fir, grown and milled in Somerset to Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) standards and the design of the structures eliminates the need for environmentally damaging concrete bases. And, just as importantly, they have a passion for nature and an understanding of spaces that encourage exploration.

The children are loving their new play space, despite the typically dark and dreary January weather, and we know they will have hours of fun ahead of them.

Off to school!

Well, it’s happened! Our 2025 pre-school leavers have come of age and are off to school!

As summer finally fades and we head into September, thoughts turn to a new school year and a new era for our Pre-School leavers. We’d like to say a fond farewell to our wonderful children who are now ready for their next big adventure. We couldn’t be prouder of you. Watching you grow in confidence (and size) has been a joy and a privilege. We’ve been with you as you learnt to walk and talk, climb, cycle, sing, paint, make friends and make jokes. Your laughter, kindness, curiosity, and energy have filled our days with smiles, and we are so lucky to have been a part of your early journey.

You’ve been truly amazing, and we just know you’re going to do brilliantly in your new schools.

To all our leavers, a huge thank you for the memories, and don’t forget to come back and visit! You’ll always be a part of our nursery family.

With all our love and best wishes,
Your Snapdragons Family

The High Sheriff of Wiltshire Visits to Learn About Our Commitment to Healthy, Sustainable Food

We were honoured to welcome Martin Nye, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, to Snapdragons recently for a special visit focused on one of our core values: nurturing children through healthy, sustainable, and seasonal.

Martin is chair of trustees of the Soil Association, and also has recently started a year of office as the High Sheriff of Wiltshire. In that role, as well as the customary function of supporting the judiciary, police, emergency services and the voluntary sector, he has chosen to spend some time focusing on the theme of "food" - to encompass all aspects of food from farm to fork. He was very keen to hear about our Food for Life Served Here Gold Award from the Soil Association and see how we have maintained the award in our nurseries since 2012.

The visit was an opportunity to showcase the work we do every day to help children build positive relationships with food - from the way we cook to the way we grow it. At Snapdragons, we believe that healthy eating habits begin early, and that it’s our responsibility to offer nutritious, balanced meals made from scratch, using the freshest seasonal ingredients available.

During the visit, our team gave a behind-the-scenes look at our kitchen ethos. Everything we serve is made fresh each day by our talented chefs, who carefully plan menus to ensure a wide variety of tastes, textures, and nutrients. We avoid ultra-processed foods and take pride in introducing children to the natural flavours of wholesome ingredients.

But our approach goes beyond the kitchen. The High Sheriff also had the chance to hear about the supply chain we built up with our supplier, Lovejoys, and explore our gardens, where children are actively involved in growing fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Whether it’s planting seeds, harvesting carrots, or learning how compost works, we teach the children an understanding of where food comes from and why it matters.

This connection to food is at the heart of our sustainability journey. By using seasonal produce and growing ingredients on-site, we reduce food miles and help children appreciate the cycle of nature. It’s all part of a broader commitment to creating a more sustainable future, not just for our nurseries, but for the wider community.

We were thrilled that the High Sheriff took such a keen interest in our food philosophy and spent time speaking with staff and children about the joys of cooking and growing together. It was a valuable moment to reflect on how small, everyday choices—like choosing local veg or cooking a meal from scratch—can have a big impact on health, wellbeing, and the planet.

Martin said it was an “inspiring visit to Broadwood and Atworth Snapdragons nurseries. I saw really appealing healthy and nutritious food being prepared from scratch in the kitchens, and enthusiastic children picking raspberries and strawberries in well-maintained growing areas. A great example of what Food For Life can help passionate and committed people achieve.”

We’d like to thank the High Sheriff for taking the time to visit and for recognising the importance of early years education in shaping a healthier, more sustainable generation.

Millie’s Mark Award at Snapdragons

Children at Snapdragons giving first aid to Costos, the resussitation dummy we use to refresh skills between first aid training

We’re delighted to announce that all ten of our nurseries have now achieved Millie’s Mark accreditation. This means that all 460 Snapdragons employees, including non-childcare staff, are fully trained in paediatric first aid,

What is Millie’s Mark?
Millie’s Mark is an accreditation scheme designed to raise the standards of paediatric first aid in early years settings. Named after Millie Thompson, who tragically died of choking, the Mark was established by Millie’s parents with a clear purpose: to prevent such incidents in the future. The scheme focuses on providing the highest standards of paediatric first aid training, ensuring that all employees are equipped with the skills to act swiftly and competently in any emergency situation, exceeding the statutory requirement for first aid.

The key aims of Millie’s Mark include:

·       Raising Standards in Paediatric First Aid: By ensuring that every nursery has all staff trained in paediatric first aid, we raise the overall standard of care and safety within early years settings.

·       Increasing the Number of Paediatric First Aid-Trained Practitioners: Millie’s Mark ensures that their staff are not only trained but also refreshed regularly, so they’re always up-to-date on life-saving techniques.

·       Increasing Confidence and Competence: It’s not enough to simply have first aid skills; our employees must be confident in their ability to apply them in real-world situations. Millie’s Mark helps build that confidence.

·       Quick Responses in Emergencies: In an emergency, every second counts. Millie’s Mark ensures that all our staff are trained to respond quickly and effectively, no matter the situation.

·       Raising the Quality of the Early Years Workforce: Through continuous training and development, we raise the overall quality of the workforce, allowing them to manage everyday challenges, such as allergies or minor injuries, with greater expertise.

·       Reassurance to Parents: For parents, knowing their children are in a nursery with Millie’s Mark accreditation offers peace of mind, knowing that their child’s safety is a top priority.

Why Millie’s Mark Matters to Us
As an organisation dedicated to providing the highest quality care for children, achieving Millie’s Mark across all ten of our nurseries is a significant milestone. It means that our team is equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle a wide range of emergencies, from allergic reactions to more serious incidents. It’s about creating an environment where both parents and children feel confident and safe.

With 460 staff members now trained, we’ve ensured that every corner of our nurseries is covered. Achieving Millie’s Mark isn’t just about meeting a standard; it’s about exceeding expectations and offering a level of care that puts the safety of the children first, always.

We’ve also exceeded the Millie’s Mark standards by offering subsidised paediatric first aid training for parents. Currently, over 80 parents have signed up to receive training through our trusted partner, Wiltshire First Aid. This initiative helps empower parents with the confidence and knowledge to respond effectively in emergencies, no matter where they are.

By providing this opportunity for parents to access training at a reduced cost, we’re fostering a stronger connection between families and nurseries, as well as helping build a network of people who are prepared and ready to act when needed.

Purnima Tanuku CBE, Chief Executive of National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) which administers Millie’s Mark said: “Huge congratulations to Snapdragons and all their staff for achieving Millie’s Mark across all their settings. This is an impressive undertaking with so many members of staff and across some very large nurseries.

“We are so proud that more and more nurseries across the UK achieve Millie’s Mark, the gold standard in paediatric first aid. This gives reassurance to parents that the staff are up to date with their training but also this is refreshed regularly in settings to make sure they can act swiftly in an emergency.

“Well done Snapdragons for this achievement!”Snapdragons Nursery Achieves Millie’s Mark in Paediatric First Aid Across All 10 Settings