Nurseries in Bedford

There are 81 nurseries and pre-schools on the Ofsted register in Bedford, and 38 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Bedford

Ofsted report cards: 9 settings (20 Strong standard, 15 Expected standard, 17 Needs attention)
Ofsted grades before November 2025: 55 settings (12 Outstanding, 43 Good)

Grades are shown only where the inspectorate has published the report.

Childminders and home childcarers

95 registered childminders in Bedford (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
17 registered home childcarers in Bedford (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)

Childminders look after children in their own homes. We show how many are registered, not who they are.

Nurseries and pre-schools

Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) - Day nursery, Bedford MK44 1LQ, ages 0 to 4, 62 places
Ofsted report card, 11 November 2025: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
All Nations Pre-School - Pre-school, Bedford MK41 7QF, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
Ofsted, 21 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Almonds Pre-school - Pre-school, Bromham MK43 8JP, ages 2 to 4, 66 places
Ofsted, 7 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Aristotots Nursery School - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 3LH, ages 0 to 4, 76 places
Ofsted, 10 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Banana Moon Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 8BQ, ages 0 to 4, 70 places
Ofsted, 11 October 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Barton-le-Clay Pre-School - Pre-school, Bedford MK45 4NS, ages 2 to 5, 42 places
Ofsted, 17 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Bedford Greenacre Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 2NY, ages 0 to 4, 100 places
Ofsted, 16 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Blue Orkids at Putnoe - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 0DH, 30 places
Blue Orkids @ Goldington Community Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 9JA, ages 0 to 4, 51 places
Ofsted, 13 May 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Blue Orkids @ Queens Park Community Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 4LE, ages 2 to 4, 44 places
Ofsted, 12 August 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Blue Orkids @ Wootton Community Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK43 9SP, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
Ofsted, 9 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Bromham Holiday Fun Club - Day nursery, Bromham MK43 8LD, 42 places
Bunyan Playgroup - Pre-school, Bedford MK42 7AL, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 27 February 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 7NU, ages 0 to 4, 100 places
Ofsted, 7 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Busy Bees Day Nursery at Bedford Elstow - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 9XE, ages 0 to 5, 112 places
Ofsted report card, 28 April 2026: Needs attention in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Cheeky Monkeys Two - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 2DA, ages 0 to 4, 51 places
Ofsted report card, 16 April 2026: Needs attention in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Cherry Trees Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK43 0ZU, ages 0 to 4, 95 places
Ofsted, 23 April 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Christ Church Pre School - Pre-school, Bedford MK40 3SY, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
Ofsted, 25 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Clapham Pre-School - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 6BP, ages 2 to 4, 59 places
Ofsted, 16 January 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Creative Sports Coaching at Hazeldene Primary School - Pre-school, Bedford MK41 9AT, 20 places
Debbie's Day Care Ltd - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 4PQ, ages 2 to 4, 23 places
Ofsted, 12 May 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Elite SF Lakeview School - Pre-school, Bedford MK42 6BH
Flitwick Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 1AJ, ages 1 to 3, 84 places
Ofsted, 9 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Footsteps Nursery School - Pre-school, Bedford MK40 4AZ, 52 places
Fordfield House Nursery & After School Club - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 2HZ, ages 0 to 4, 80 places
Ofsted, 20 June 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Fordfield Nursery Ltd Ruxox House - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 5BN, ages 0 to 5, 75 places
Ofsted, 28 June 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Gravenhurst and Villages Pre-School - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 4JF, ages 2 to 9, 27 places
Ofsted, 3 March 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Growing Stars Pre-School Ltd - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 0LD, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 18 November 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Growing Stars Preschool - Stewartby - Pre-school, Stewartby MK43 9NL, 30 places
Habitat PreSchool Ltd - Pre-school, Kempston MK42 8LS, ages 2 to 4, 40 places
Ofsted, 17 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Harper's Nursery School Ltd - Day nursery, Bedford MK44 3NX, ages 0 to 4, 98 places
Ofsted, 11 November 2021: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Harrold Preschool - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 7DB, ages 3 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 3 December 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
HopeWorks Creche (Bedford) - Pre-school, Bedford MK40 3EU, 41 places
Inn Farm Private Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK44 1BE, 82 places
Inn Farm Private Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK44 1BE, ages 0 to 5, 85 places
Ofsted, 1 June 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Jumping Jacks Childcare - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 2BB, ages 0 to 4, 52 places
Ofsted, 8 March 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Junior Adventures Group @ Lakeview - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 6BH, ages 2 to 4, 25 places
Ofsted, 4 October 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Junior Adventures Group @ Willow Grove MK45 - Pre-school, Wixams MK45 3TE, ages 4 to 11, 30 places
Ofsted report card, 8 July 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 3 areas; safeguarding standards met
Keep Guard Day Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 8SJ, 60 places
Kiddi Caru Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 9AU, ages 0 to 4, 95 places
Ofsted, 8 June 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Kymbrook Pre-school - Pre-school, Bedford MK44 2HH, ages 2 to 11, 22 places
Ofsted, 11 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Ladybird Forest Pre-School Ampthill - Pre-school, Bedford MK45 2TD, ages 2 to 7, 43 places
Ofsted, 7 February 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Ladybirds Pre School - Pre-school, Bedford MK42 9XP, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 17 April 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Lavenders Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 3QJ, ages 0 to 4, 108 places
Ofsted, 9 August 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Leslie Sell Activity Centre - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 8LD
Little Fishes - Day nursery, Bedford MK43 8JT, ages 1 to 4, 55 places
Ofsted, 18 July 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Pilgrims - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 7QZ, 155 places
Ofsted, 17 April 2013: Outstanding overall
Little Squirts Pre School - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 1HN, ages 1 to 4, 50 places
Ofsted, 6 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Step Day Care - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 0JY, ages 0 to 4, 48 places
Ofsted, 28 July 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Little Toes Nursery - Day nursery, Wilstead MK45 3HN, ages 1 to 4, 29 places
Ofsted report card, 7 July 2026: Expected standard in 1 area, Needs attention in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
Marston Vale Forest School - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 0DX
Marvellous Minds Tuition - Pre-school, Bedford MK40 1NS
Merry Poppets Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 5AA, ages 0 to 4, 83 places
Ofsted, 27 October 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Merry Poppets Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 1BP, ages 0 to 4, 65 places
Ofsted, 7 March 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Monkey Puzzle Bedford - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 2DN, ages 0 to 4, 75 places
Ofsted, 19 May 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Oakley Kindergarten - Day nursery, Oakley MK43 7RQ, ages 1 to 4, 40 places
Ofsted report card, 23 April 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Orchard School & Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 4LT, 100 places
Overdale Tots Pre-School - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 8EP, ages 2 to 4, 40 places
Ofsted, 2 October 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Play 2 Learn Day Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 7PN, ages 0 to 4, 75 places
Ofsted, 15 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Polam School Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK40 2BU, ages 1 to 5, 125 places
Ofsted report card, 18 September 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
Puddleduck Nursery School - Day nursery, Clapham MK41 6EJ, ages 0 to 4, 34 places
Ofsted, 8 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Puddleducks Nursery - Day nursery, Bedford MK45 4HS, ages 0 to 4, 42 places
Ofsted, 29 November 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Puddleducks Nursery & Pre-School - Day nursery, Bedford MK44 2JX, ages 0 to 7, 67 places
Ofsted, 25 July 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Putnoe Woods Preschool - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 8QA, ages 0 to 4, 70 places
Ofsted, 17 August 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Silsoe Pre-School - Pre-school, Bedford MK45 4GP, ages 2 to 4, 36 places
Ofsted, 26 September 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
Skool's Out - Pre-school, Kempston MK42 7EB
Stepping Stones Preschool CIO - Pre-school, Bedford MK42 8QH, 24 places
Stewartby Pre-School - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 9NN, ages 2 to 4, 36 places
Ofsted, 24 April 2025: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
St Mark's Preschool - Day nursery, Bedford MK41 7UY, ages 2 to 4, 56 places
Ofsted, 4 November 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
St Marys Wootton (Bedford) Preschool - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 9HB, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
Ofsted, 19 January 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Sweet Peas Pre-School - Pre-school, Bedford MK43 9JB, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
Ofsted, 11 May 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
The Fledglings - Pre-school, Bedford MK45 4BT, ages 4 to 11, 40 places
Ofsted report card, 19 March 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
The Lodge Playgroup - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 7PS, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
Ofsted, 29 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
The Nest - Pre-school, Bedford MK44 1HJ
Tiddlywinks Day Nursery (Kempston Rural) Limited - Day nursery, Bedford MK43 8RH, ages 2 to 4, 74 places
Ofsted, 21 January 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Tiny Eggs Room - Pre-school, Bedford MK42 0HH, 9 places
Toybox Great Denham - Day nursery, Great Denham MK40 4GP, ages 0 to 4, 82 places
Ofsted report card, 20 April 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
Turvey Pre-School Playgroup - Day nursery, Bedford MK43 8DB, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
Ofsted, 13 June 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Warren Childcare Centre - Day nursery, Bedford MK42 7NR, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
Ofsted, 6 December 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Willingtots Preschool - Pre-school, Bedfordshire MK44 3PU, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
Ofsted, 4 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
Wilstead Pre-School - Pre-school, Bedford MK45 3BX, ages 2 to 8, 40 places
Ofsted, 2 February 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

Ampthill Kids Holiday Camps - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 2QR
APF Activity Camps - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 4JZ
Autism Bedfordshire Summer Scheme - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK43 8NR, 17 places
Barracudas (Bedford) - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 0BX, 220 places
Cascade Camps at Bedford School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 2TU, 126 places
Creative Sports Coaching at Flitwick Lower School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 1LU, 30 places
Explore Learning Bedford - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 2FG
First Class Learning - Bedford Town - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 3SX
First Class Learning - Bedford West - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 4LG
Football Fun Camp: Bedford College - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 9AH
Football Fun Camp: St Thomas More School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK41 7UL
John Donne Play Active Club - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK44 3NL, 18 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Balliol Lowe - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 7ER, 32 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Bedford Road - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 8QH, 24 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Bromham CofE Primary MK43 - Out-of-school club, Bromham MK43 8NR, 90 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Camestone Primary - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 8NW, 30 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Cotton End - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 3AG, 53 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Great Ouse Primary Academy - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 4TJ, 40 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Harrold Lower School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK43 7DB, 20 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Haynes Lower School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 3PR, 38 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Kingsmoor - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 1EY, 35 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Springfield - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 7LJ, 24 places
Junior Adventures Group @ St James - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 4BD, 36 places
Junior Adventures Group @ St John Rigby - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK41 9DQ, 60 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Templefield MK45 - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 1AJ, 34 places
Junior Adventures Group @ Thomas Johnson - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK43 0SB, 20 places
Kidz Zone Club - Houghton Conquest - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 3LL, 13 places
Kip McGrath Bedford South - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 8AH
Premier - Broadmead - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK43 9NN, 24 places
Premier Care Club - Elstow - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK42 9GP, 20 places
Premier - Greenfield - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 5ES, 24 places
Premier - Russell Lower - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 2TD, 48 places
Premier - Westoning - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK45 5JH, 16 places
SSG Services - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 4TJ
SS Ltd @ Biddenham - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 4BD, 57 places
SS Ltd @ Castle Newnham - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK40 3EP, 40 places
Stagecoach Bedford Performing Arts School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK41 7UL
Ultimate Activity Camps at Bedford Modern School - Out-of-school club, Bedford MK41 7NT, 104 places

Nursery groups with settings here

Blue Orkids Limited (3 here)
Busy Bees Nurseries Limited (3 here)
Childbase Partnership Limited (2 here)
Merry Poppets Nursery Limited (2 here)
Rosedale Nursery Ltd (2 here)
Acorn Early Years Foundation (1 here)
Davidson-Roberts Ltd (1 here)
The Childcare Corporation Limited (1 here)

Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)

Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.

The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.

Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.

Source: Ofsted reports

Ofsted grades before November 2025 (England)

Inspections before November 2025 gave one overall grade on a four-point scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, Inadequate. Ofsted also graded the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, and said whether safeguarding was effective.

Settings keep their last grade until Ofsted visits again, so many nurseries still show a grade from this older scale.

Source: Ofsted reports

Funded childcare hours in England

All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.

The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.

Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)

Towns in Bedford

Nurseries in Clapham (1)

Schools in Bedford

Schools in Bedford
Schools in Bedford council area
Cherry Trees Nursery School - Nursery
Peter Pan Nursery School - Nursery
Balliol Primary School - Primary
Bedford Road Primary Academy - Primary
Brickhill Primary School - Primary
Broadmead Lower School - Primary
Bromham CofE Primary School - Primary
Camestone School - Primary
Carlton CofE Primary School - Primary
Cauldwell School - Primary
Christopher Reeves CofE VA Primary School - Primary
Cotton End Forest School - Primary

Sources: Ofsted, registers as at 30 June 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.