Quick facts

  • Usually children will start school between the age of 4 and 5 years old. Nursery, childminders and pre-school are usually used before this time.
  • In the UK, the local County Council is responsible for the regulation of local schools and childcare providers.
  • The school your child attends is decided by their age and the geographical area in which you are living. For this reason, it is not usually possible to apply for a school place until you are certain of where you will live.

Childcare and schools

The Family Information Service is able to advise you on childcare and registered facilities. They also maintain lists of registered child minders. For further information please visit the Bedford.gov website.

Here is a list of nurseries that may be of interest to you when you start your studies at Cranfield University.

Nurseries

On campus:

Cherry Trees Workplace Nursery (operated by Childbase)

  • Full or part-time places for children aged 6 weeks-5 years.
  • Ranked ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2013.

Off campus:

Wellies Day Nursery, North Crawley

  • Full or part-time places for children aged 0-5 years.
  • Open 7:45am-6:15pm.
  • 4 miles from Cranfield campus.

T: +44 (0)1234 391600.

Broughton Manor Nursery, Walton

  • Places for children aged 2 months-7 years.
  • 6 miles from Cranfield campus.

T: +44 (0)1908 678403.

Fordfield Nursery, Fordfield Road, Millbrook, Beds

  • Full or part-time places for children aged 6 months-5 years.
  • 8 miles from Cranfield campus.

T: +44 (0)1525 405524.

Pre-schools

On campus

Cranfield University Pre-School, Sports and Amenities Centre, Prince Philip Avenue  

  • Places available for children aged 2 years 9 months-5 years.
  • Open mornings during school terms 8:50am-12:00pm.

T: +44 (0)1234 750111 ext. 3603

Off campus

Acorn Pre-School, Cranfield United Football Club, Crawley Road, Cranfield

  • Open during term time.
  • Places for children aged 2 ½-5 years.

T: +44 (0)1234 751444.

Schools

The Schools Admissions Service oversees the admissions process for children enrolling into schools. International students are advised that the admissions process cannot commence until you and your family have arrived in the UK.

For further information about enrolling your children in school, please contact the Schools Admissions Service.

Cranfield Church of England Academy, Court Road, Cranfield, MK43 0ER

  • Places for children aged 4-9 years.

T: +44 (0)1234 750261.

Holywell Middle School, Red Lion Close, Cranfield, MK43 0JA

  • Places for children aged 9-13 years.

T: +44 (0)1234 750381.

Wootton Upper School, Hall End Road, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9HT

  • Places for children aged 13-19 years.

T: +44 (0)1234 767123.