Choose us!
Here’s why Innsworth Preschool is one of the best early years settings in Gloucester.
Choosing a preschool in Gloucester is one of the most important decisions families make. It is not just about childcare. It is about finding a place where your child feels safe, confident and supported, while also choosing a setting that works realistically for your family and your day-to-day life.
Innsworth Preschool offers a clear alternative to larger nurseries. We provide high-quality early years education for children aged 2 to 4 years, within a 10-hour day (8:00am to 6:00pm) designed to support working families. Our structure includes two 5-hour sessions, each built around a clear routine, with set meal times and a calm, well-managed environment that helps children stay settled, focused and ready to learn.
We are based in the heart of Innsworth, in a well-maintained and welcoming setting, with strong links to local families including those connected to Imjin Barracks, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and surrounding areas. This makes us a practical and reliable choice for families working across Gloucester and Cheltenham.
As an independent, family-run preschool rated Good by Ofsted, with over 30 years of experience, decisions are made based on what benefits children, not external targets or corporate structures. We keep numbers to 30 children per session, allowing for a calmer environment, closer support, and stronger relationships with both children and families.
Families choose Innsworth Preschool because they want more than basic childcare. They want a setting that is organised, consistent and thoughtfully run. They want their child to be known as an individual, supported properly, and prepared for school. And they want a structure that works for real life, not one that adds unnecessary cost or complexity.
Designed Around Real Family Life
One of the biggest challenges for families looking for childcare is finding something that fits around working hours without becoming overly complicated or expensive. This is exactly what our structure has been designed to solve.
We are open from 8:00am to 6:00pm, giving families access to a full 10-hour day where needed. Within this, the preschool day is built around two structured 5-hour sessions, creating a clear and consistent routine that supports children’s learning, behaviour and wellbeing.
Each session includes a set meal time, ensuring children are well fed, settled and ready to take part in the day. Each session is designed to feel complete in itself, with children benefiting from a full and meaningful preschool experience whether they attend one session or a full day. We also offer a free breakfast, helping children start the day calmly and supporting families during busy mornings. Breakfast, brunch and lunch all take place at set times, helping children build routine, develop independence, and stay focused throughout the day.
Meal times are not treated as a break in the day. They are a planned part of the learning experience, where children develop communication, independence, social skills and healthy habits through shared routine.
Term-Time Preschool That Makes Family Life Simpler
Innsworth Preschool operates as a term-time preschool, which means families only pay for childcare during school terms rather than across the full year. For many families, this makes childcare more manageable and more closely aligned with real family life.
Many larger nurseries operate for 50 or more weeks of the year, which can increase overall childcare costs even when funded hours are applied. Our term-time model avoids that extra pressure while still giving children access to a high-quality early years experience.
This approach works particularly well for families who want childcare that feels clear, practical and school-aligned, rather than overly complicated or unnecessarily expensive. It also helps children move more naturally into school life when the time comes.
A Preschool That Prepares Children for School
Strong preparation for school is a key part of how the day is structured.
The day follows a clear and predictable routine that helps children feel settled, confident and ready to learn. Children take part in a balance of learning, play, outdoor activity, shared mealtimes and opportunities to build independence. This structure helps children understand what is expected of them and supports positive behaviour over time.
A well-balanced day allows children to stay engaged and focused, rather than becoming overtired or overwhelmed. This is especially important in the years leading up to Reception, where children are developing concentration, emotional regulation and social skills.
Children become familiar with key routines such as group activities, listening, turn taking, managing belongings and following simple instructions. These are the foundations that support a smoother transition into school.
Families often tell us their children settle into school quickly because they are already confident with structure and routine.
A Calm, Well-Managed Setting Where Children Are Known
As an independent setting, decisions are made based on what works best for children and families, rather than following policies set by a head office. This keeps the environment consistent, calm and focused on quality.
Staffing is stable and carefully managed. Children see familiar adults each day and build strong relationships with the people who care for them. Leadership is present within the setting, which means standards are monitored closely and any concerns are addressed quickly.
We offer 30 places per session, which helps keep group sizes manageable so children are not overwhelmed and staff can give appropriate attention and support. This creates a calmer environment where children can focus, engage and enjoy their time.
Families often describe the setting as organised, welcoming and well run. That is the result of careful planning, experienced leadership and a clear focus on maintaining standards every day.
Outdoor Learning Every Day, All Year Round
One of the clearest differences in our setting is the outdoor learning environment we have built and continue to develop.
Our outdoor space is not a small play area or an occasional part of the day. It is a large, purpose-built environment that is used as a real extension of the preschool. The outdoor area is as large as the building itself, giving children daily access to a space that supports learning, movement, creativity and exploration.
The space is designed in a practical way, with half grass and half hard surface. This means children can enjoy outdoor play and outdoor learning throughout the year, rather than only when the weather is ideal. It allows us to offer a wider range of experiences across different seasons, while helping children stay active and engaged in all kinds of conditions.
Our grassed areas are used for flowers, trees, fruits, vegetables, nature and growing activities, while the hard-surface areas are used for arts, crafts, construction, messy play and practical learning. This creates a rich and varied environment where children can take part in meaningful experiences rather than simply using the outdoors for free play alone.
Children are involved in planting, growing, harvesting, caring for plants, exploring nature, and understanding how food and seasons connect to everyday life. These are hands-on experiences that help children build confidence, coordination, resilience, communication and problem-solving skills through real activity.
This outdoor environment is also a major practical benefit for families. Because it is designed to be used reliably and consistently, children benefit from a fuller day, more varied experiences, and regular access to outdoor learning as part of normal preschool life.
Very few settings are able to offer outdoor provision at this scale and in this way on a daily basis. It is one of the features that makes our setting stand out and one of the reasons many families choose us.
Easy to Reach for Gloucester and Cheltenham Families
Our preschool is based in the heart of Innsworth, in a well-positioned and easy to access location for local families.
We are particularly convenient for families connected to Imjin Barracks, as well as those working at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, the University of Gloucestershire, and surrounding business areas. This makes us a practical choice for families travelling between Gloucester and Cheltenham, whether you live locally or commute for work.
The setting is easy to reach, whether you are travelling by car, walking or cycling, which helps make daily drop-offs and collections simpler and more manageable.
Because of the way we structure the day and the level of care we provide, places are limited to 30 children per session. This ensures the environment remains calm, well organised and properly supported, while allowing children to receive the attention they need.
Demand for places is consistently high, particularly from families looking for a setting that balances quality, structure and practicality. We recommend getting in touch early if you are considering a place.
Supporting Children with English as an Additional Language
A high proportion of our children come from military families, many of whom relocate to the UK from around the world. Supporting children with English as an Additional Language is a well-established and confident part of daily life within the setting.
Children are supported to develop spoken English through consistent routines, visual support, repetition, play-based interaction and strong adult modelling. The focus is on helping children feel understood, included and confident to communicate, so they can settle quickly and take part fully in the preschool day.
The best way to understand what makes our preschool different is to visit in person. This gives you the opportunity to see the environment, meet the team, and understand how the day works in practice.
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Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
Phone:
01452 739090
