The Bridge is The Glasgow Academy’s new early years setting for children aged 0–3. It is designed to provide a nurturing, high-quality environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired from their very first steps in education.

The Bridge is located within the beautifully restored former Kelvinbridge Parish Church in Glasgow’s West End, offering a unique, spacious and carefully designed environment for young children.

The Bridge combines:

• Exceptional care and early learning
• Highly qualified, nurturing staff
• A calm, purposeful environment
• A strong focus on emotional security and wellbeing
• A seamless development pathway

As part of The Glasgow Academy family, The Bridge provides children with the very first step in a connected educational journey within one of Scotland’s leading independent schools.

Children can join The Bridge from the age of 6 months.

To apply for a place, parents can complete our online application form.

Following this, our admissions team will guide you through the next steps.

Due to strong demand, some sessions may operate a waiting list. We encourage early expressions of interest.

We offer an initial priority window for current families and former pupils of The Glasgow Academy.

Our daily fee of £85 per day includes:

• High-quality care and early years education
• Experienced, nurturing staff
• Play-based learning and discovery experiences
• Art, craft, messy play and sensory activities
• Outdoor play and exploration
• Age-appropriate resources and learning environments
• Nappies and hypo-allergenic wipes
• Snacks and meals throughout the day
• Rest and sleep provision tailored to your child’s needs
• Regular communication and developmental updates for parents

The Bridge will be open from 8:00am – 6:00pm, operating 50 weeks of the year to support the needs of modern families.

Flexible attendance patterns and session options will be available, subject to availability.

Children can be dropped off from 8am – 9am each day. Drop-off will be at our entrance at Garriochmill Road.

Babies/children will be signed in by a member of staff who will accompany them to their respective area/room.   

Collection times are 1pm or between 3pm and 6pm. Times out with these slots can be made by arrangement with the Manager of the service.

Each day is structured around children’s needs, routines and natural curiosity.

Experiences may include:

• Creative play
• Sensory experiences
• Outdoor exploration
• Physical play
• Rest and sleep time
• Exploration of the local environment

Children are cared for in age-appropriate rooms equipped with resources suited to their developmental stage.

Yes. Outdoor experiences form an important part of daily life at The Bridge.

Children will have opportunities to access outdoor spaces, physical play and local outings to support curiosity, wellbeing and exploration.

We believe children learn best through hands-on experiences, discovery and play.

Our environments and activities are designed to spark imagination, encourage questions and support children in becoming inquisitive learners. Whether through sensory play, outdoor experiences, creative activities or exploring the local community, children are encouraged to engage confidently with the world around them.

We work closely with families to maintain routines that support each child’s wellbeing and comfort.

Each child is provided with their own safe sleep space, and rest arrangements are reviewed regularly with parents as children settle into nursery life.

Children should not attend nursery if they are unwell. Our team will always prioritise children’s wellbeing and comfort, and we work closely with families should illness arise during the nursery day.

Yes. Comfort items can help children feel secure and settled. We simply ask that any toys or comforters are named and suitable for the nursery environment.

We will provide good quality, disposable nappies for all children.  The children will be checked and changed as necessary every hour.

Changing facilities for all age groups are available in all toilet areas.  There are hand-washing facilities for both adults and children in these areas.  Only water wipes/ hypo-allergenic wipes will be used to clean your child.  

In partnership with you, as parents/carers, we will support your child to achieve toilet training as the reach the stage of readiness. 

We operate within Care Inspectorate guidance:

• Babies (0–2 years): 1 adult to 3 children
• Children (2–3 years): 1 adult to 5 children

All staff are trained appropriately for their role, including paediatric first aid training.

We believe parents are partners in their child’s early years journey.

Families will receive regular communication and updates, and there will be opportunities to participate in nursery life, including Bookbug sessions and shared experiences.

Children’s learning and development will be monitored and shared with families through their key worker and nursery communication systems

The Bridge operates secure entry procedures and robust safeguarding practices.

Children will be signed in and out by nursery staff, emergency contacts will be recorded and password systems will be used where appropriate

Maintaining a clean, safe environment is extremely important to us.

Rooms and resources are cleaned regularly throughout the day using appropriate antibacterial products to minimise infection risk and maintain high standards of hygiene.