Knowle Nursery School

Welcome to Knowle Nursery School based in Cranleigh, Surrey. We are an Outstanding (Ofsted 2014 & 2019) semi-structured family run private nursery providing a high quality caring and educational environment for 2 - 4 year olds.

We were founded in the early eighties in a private home and have since expanded to a modern self-contained premises in the grounds of Park Mead Primary School.

Bryony Creed with two of the founders of the nursery, one of which is a current grandparent of Knowle!
Knowle Nursery celebrated 40 years in business in October 2022, and two of the founders joined Bryony marking the special date with a giant teddy bears picnic!

Forest School in 30 seconds!

This is just snap shot of the rich learning environment we offer at Knowle Nursery. It has been a real pleasure watching the children grow and develop into confident, engaged young people.

The best way to learn what we do is to visit us. It would be difficult to list all we do, as the list is endless!

Our approach is to follow a child’s interests to extend their learning through play and fun activities. We work in partnership with parents and carers to support and help develop a rounded child.

We offer a unique experience to all children and families by promoting equality and diversity.


We were pleased to receive an Outstanding Ofsted report in September 2019. These were the five key points from the report.

  • The exceedingly passionate and highly driven managers successfully create an atmosphere that celebrates each child as an individual.
  • Children demonstrate a huge desire to explore and learn.
  • Staff use meticulous planning and exemplary teaching to ensure children develop great early literacy skills.
  • Children work together as a team to follow the rules and to make sure everyone is equally involved.
  • Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of the signs that may indicate that a child's welfare is at risk and know precisely how to act if they have a concern.

This is what past children and parents have said about us.

Children Comments

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I loved the fact we did lots of fun activities, some of which I thought were very grown-up like French lessons and fundraising. I can also remember sitting on the mat listening to stories being read to me by Mrs. Duck. She was always very kind.
- Naalini

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My best thing was dressing up and cooking. I loved going on mini beast hunts in the woods and making food in the mud kitchen.
- William

Parent Comments

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We are extremely pleased with how our son has settled into the environment. He is very happy, the staff are wonderful and we really do believe that Knowle is the best pre-school setting in the area.

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Our feedback is incredibly positive, our son has benefited hugely from the range of activities at nursery and the social interaction. The outdoor space is very impressive, as is the commitment of the staff to making Knowle a really great environment for the children.

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Fabulous nursery. Never anything but delighted with my child's experiences in this setting and the incredible knowledge and support offered to us as a family.

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I am still so relieved and happy that my children are with you. Thank you again for providing a safe, fun, nurturing and creative environment for my children.