As part of a large family and one of eight, I’ve always been interested in working with children. It was only when looking for childcare for my daughter that I realised the very real demand for quality, well run nurseries. My vision took shape and I took to the property market, renovating a superb building in Coombe Dingle – and my daughter was one of the first children to attend!
After successfully opening a second setting in Downend and spurred on by so much positive feedback I set my sights closer to home, opening our third setting in Flax Bourton. The Red Bus journey won’t stop here, as we continue to grow our small cluster of exceptional childcare settings and recruiting the best, most passionate practitioners. Together, as one team,
we are creating a very special place for children.
- Liz Hogarth, Owner
Our Red Bus values are just that – prized principles that we hold as vital to our company.
None of our values can exist without trust. Trust is the foundation of everything we do, and it is what drives our ethos and values as a great employer. We live and breathe these values in how we interact with each other, with our families, with other professionals and most importantly – the children in our care.
We trust, respect, and rely on our team and we want you to believe in us too. So at Red Bus we’ve worked hard to create an open, honest and trustworthy workplace where the quality of staff support is as high as our standards of practice – and we won’t compromise on either.
Located on the edge of a Grade II registered parkland, Coombe Dingle is a stone’s throw from Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Lawrence Weston, Westbury-on-Trym or Stoke Bishop. And with the Portway and M5 only a few moments’ drive away, nowhere is that far from Coombe Dingle! There are multiple bus routes that pass close to the setting, as well as free street parking and bike racks - so however you travel, we’re easy to get to.
It's a unique building, designed with no compromise on space inside or out. The historically protected windows throw natural light onto our large, free-flowing spaces - our Baby Gym in Nursery, the inviting Role Play unit in Kindergarten, the dedicated art studio in Pre-School, the recently opened Red Bus Library and three different areas for outdoor play!
Red Bus Downend was once ‘Wendover House’, a maternity hospital. Now the large rooms and original features provide a backdrop to our fantastic childcare provision! Set back from Downend Road, we’re easily accessible from the surrounding areas of Emersons Green, Fishponds, Frenchay, Mangotsfield – and with the Ring Road only a 5 minute drive away, much further afield too!
This four flour Grade II listed building has been restored to a stunning standard, including a bespoke kitchen and dining area in the basement. The top floor provides several meeting rooms, a staff room and staff chill out area - and stunning views across Bristol!
Each room is bright and open, with a unique layout that adds to the charm. With calming sensory areas in Nursery, the 21 foot glass fronted yurt in Kindergarten, a one-of-a-kind Curiosity Room in Pre-School and the landscaped gardens that sweep around the building - there’s something for everyone at Red Bus, adults and children alike!
Located on a quiet, leafy street minutes from a main road, Red Bus Flax Bourton embraces nature inside and out! The unique semi-rural location allows us to welcome those from Long Ashton, Failand, Nailsea and Backwell as well as being a short drive from Congresbury, Yatton, Chew Valley, Clevedon, Portishead and more! As well as plenty of free on street parking, multiple bus routes on the nearby main roads and the Festival Way cycle track passes the nursery. So we’re accessible, no matter how you travel!
As the newest setting to join Red Bus, Flax Bourton opened in June 2022 after extensive refurbishment. The building was extended, creating more space inside and a total revamp to create huge landscaped gardens! Each room is light, bright and open, with scandi-inspired aesthetics. There's lots for everyone at Flax Bourton - with Nursery’s messy play room, Kindergarten’s courtyard garden, Pre-School’s giant sandpit, our Cosy Cabin and outdoor Woodwork Station!
Take a look at what some of our newest recruits have to say about joining the Red Bus Team...
"Everyone was so welcoming and it seems like a lovely place to work. I found I was very comfortable and relaxed, and not as nervous as I thought I would be!"
"All the staff are lovely, and I felt really comfortable. The managers were very friendly and kind, and can tell they run the nursery perfectly. The children are lovely, and they look so happy and well looked after."
"I’ve been to a few interviews at different nurseries and haven’t felt they’re right for me but Red Bus has a complete different feel and it’s a very nice environment to be in."
"What a beautiful nursery and lovely staff, I cannot wait to be a part of the team. They were all so welcoming and really did make me feel like I was meant to be there which is such a great feeling! ❤️"