# Bilingual nurseries explained How bilingual nurseries work, which models they use, what to expect, and what to ask when you visit. By The Toddly editorial team. Updated 14 November 2026. Page: https://toddly.co.uk/guides/bilingual-nurseries A bilingual nursery gives children two languages every day, usually English and one other, such as French, Spanish, German, Italian or Mandarin. Some staff speak only one language with the children and others only the second, or the day is divided between the two, so that children hear both naturally through play, songs and routines. In England, bilingual nurseries follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and are inspected by Ofsted like any other. ## How bilingual nurseries work There are a few common models: - **One person, one language:** each adult speaks only one of the languages with the children. Children learn which language goes with which person. - **Time or space split:** mornings in one language and afternoons in the other, or one room for each. - **Immersion:** most of the day in the second language, with English supported alongside. Ask which model the nursery uses and roughly how much of the day is in each language. ## Who they suit - **Families who speak the language at home** and want children to keep it as they grow up in England. - **Families planning to move** or with relatives abroad. - **English-speaking families** who want early exposure to another language. ## What to expect Young children are generally good at picking up languages. Common patterns parents see: - Children may **understand far more than they say** for a long time. - They may **mix languages** in one sentence. This is a normal stage. - Some go through a **quiet period** in the newer language before they start using it. - Progress depends a lot on **how much** of each language children hear, at nursery and at home. A bilingual nursery does not guarantee fluency, especially if the language is not used at home. It does give children familiarity and confidence with the sounds and words of another language. ## Bilingual nurseries and the EYFS The [EYFS](/glossary/eyfs) includes communication and language as a prime area. Nurseries must support children's English, and where a child's home language is not English, must give them opportunities to use it while also making sure they reach a good standard of English. Bilingual nurseries are inspected by Ofsted in English, and their reports are public. ## What to ask on a visit - Which model do you use, and how much of the day is in each language? - Are staff native or fluent speakers? Will my child's [key person](/glossary/key-person) speak our home language? - How do you support children who are new to one of the languages? - How do you share progress in both languages with parents? - What happens when children move to an English-speaking reception class? - Is there a link with a bilingual primary school? ## Is it right for your child? If your family speaks the language, a bilingual nursery helps keep it going. If not, think about whether you can support it at home, and how it will continue after nursery. Either way, judge the nursery on the same basics as any other: warmth, safety, staff stability, the latest Ofsted report, fees and funded hours. Take our [visit checklist](/nursery-visit-checklist) and see the [bilingual nursery glossary entry](/glossary/bilingual-nursery). If you are worried about your child's speech, talk to your health visitor. ## Related - [Nursery visit checklist](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery-visit-checklist) ## Frequently asked questions ### Will learning two languages confuse my child? Young children are generally well able to learn two languages. Many mix them for a while, which is a normal stage, not a sign of confusion. ### Does my family need to speak the second language? No. Bilingual nurseries take children from English-only homes as well as from families who speak the language. Ask how they support children who are new to it. ### Do bilingual nurseries follow the EYFS? Yes. All registered nurseries in England follow the EYFS, and must support children's development in English.