Welcome

We are Innsworth Preschool, a beautiful, family-run preschool in Gloucester, supporting children aged 2, 3 and 4 years, with over 30 years of experience supporting children and families. We are an independent early years setting that takes pride in creating a calm, welcoming environment where children feel secure, valued, and confident as they grow.

We provide a calm, well-structured environment where children feel safe, confident and ready to learn. With 30 children per session, every child is known, supported and given the attention they need to thrive. Families choose Innsworth Preschool because they want more than childcare. They want a setting that is organised, consistent and thoughtfully run, where children are prepared for school and supported properly, without unnecessary cost or complexity.

We are proud to be rated Good by Ofsted, reflecting the quality and consistency of care we provide every day.

A Convenient Location for Gloucester and Cheltenham Families

We are based in the heart of Innsworth, making us easy to access for families across Gloucester, Churchdown, Longlevens and Cheltenham. We are particularly convenient for families connected to Imjin Barracks, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, the University of Gloucestershire and nearby business areas, as well as those commuting between Gloucester and Cheltenham.

The setting is easy to reach by car, walking or cycling, helping make daily routines simpler and more manageable for families.

Term-Time Preschool That Works for Families

Innsworth Preschool operates as a term-time preschool in Gloucester, which means families only pay for childcare during school terms rather than across the full year. Full-year nurseries often operate for 50 or more weeks, which can significantly increase overall childcare costs even when funded hours are applied.

Our term-time model allows families to access high-quality early education while avoiding the expense of paying for childcare during weeks they may not need. It also keeps childcare more closely aligned with the school calendar, making routines simpler for families as children move on to school. We keep our structure clear and consistent so families can access a strong early years experience while maintaining high standards of care and education.

A Structured 8:00am–6:00pm Day That Builds School Readiness

We are open from 8:00am to 6:00pm (10 hours), Monday to Friday. Our day is structured around two core sessions: 8:00am to 1:00pm (5 hours) and 1:00pm to 6:00pm (5 hours).

With children aged 2 to 4 years, this structure allows each age group to access a full and meaningful preschool experience, with routines and support tailored to their stage of development and will help them to gain the confidence and independence needed for Reception. The day has a clear rhythm, allowing children to settle calmly, take part in learning and play, enjoy shared mealtimes, and move through the day feeling secure and well supported.

Each session is planned to give children a full and meaningful preschool experience. Children in both sessions benefit from high-quality care, strong early learning opportunities, shared routines, adult-led and child-led experiences, and an environment where they are supported to learn, play and develop.

We have found that very long nursery days can be demanding for young children and do not always support their wellbeing or learning. Our approach focuses on meaningful, high-quality time rather than simply longer hours. This helps children stay engaged, build resilience, and feel confident within a predictable routine. Parents often tell us that this structure makes the transition to school far smoother, as children are already used to the rhythm and expectations of a school-style day.

Outdoor Learning and a Setting That Continues to Improve

As an independent preschool in Gloucester, we are able to make meaningful investments into our setting that directly benefit children. One of the areas we are most proud of is our outdoor learning environment, which has been carefully developed to offer something very few preschools in Gloucester are able to provide.

Over time, we have invested more than twenty thousand pounds into creating a sustainable outdoor learning space that goes far beyond a standard play area. Our outdoor environment is designed as a working, hands-on space where children can explore, learn, and take part in real experiences that support their development in a natural and engaging way. Our outdoor area includes a purpose-built farm-style environment where children can take part in activities such as growing, planting, caring for plants, exploring nature, and learning how things grow and change. This is not occasional outdoor play. It is a core part of our day and a key part of how children learn at Innsworth Preschool.

Children benefit from daily access to outdoor learning, where movement, hands-on activity and real experiences support confidence, communication and physical development. Outdoor learning also helps children develop independence, responsibility and resilience, as they take part in meaningful activities rather than just free play.

Meals, Nutrition and Daily Learning

Children spend a significant part of the day with us, which means food plays an important role in their wellbeing, energy levels and ability to learn. For that reason, we offer food options across the preschool day that fit within our session structure.

We offer:

FREE breakfast from 9:00am
Brunch at 11:00am for £4
Lunch at 2:30pm for £4

Meal times are an important part of the preschool day. Each session includes a meal opportunity, helping ensure children are well fed, settled and ready to focus, regardless of the session they attend. They are not just times for children to eat. They are planned learning opportunities where children develop and practise important skills through daily routine and shared experience.

During meal times, children build communication and language, social skills, independence, turn taking, table manners, listening, self care, and an understanding of healthy eating. These parts of the day also support personal, social and emotional development, confidence, and positive relationships. This can be particularly helpful for children who are fussy eaters, as eating alongside other children in a calm and structured environment can help build confidence, familiarity and a more positive relationship with food.

Our food provision is designed to work around the different sessions children attend. This means families can choose the options that are relevant to their child’s session and the time they are with us. Our meals are freshly prepared, balanced and suitable for young children, helping us manage food safety and allergen control across the setting.

Extra Learning and Optional Experiences

We offer a range of optional enhancements that add real depth to children’s daily experience and provide opportunities that go beyond what many early years settings can offer.

Our main enhancement is the Farm Experience (£2 per day). This is a structured, hands-on outdoor learning programme built into the preschool day, giving children regular access to meaningful, practical experiences in a natural environment. Through this, children are not just observing but actively taking part in real activities such as growing, caring, creating and exploring.

The Farm Experience is delivered through:

Growing and harvesting
Flowers and planting
Nature-based art and messy play
Animal care
Food from the garden
Seasonal projects

These experiences support children’s confidence, independence, coordination and problem-solving, while also building a strong connection to nature, responsibility and real-world learning.

We also offer Wellbeing Club (£1 per day). This is an optional enhancement designed to support children’s wellbeing, healthy habits and self-care as part of the preschool day. Full details are provided to parents in advance, and parental consent is always obtained.

All enhancements are optional and are not a condition of accessing funded hours.

Places, Availability and How to Visit

Innsworth Preschool is a popular choice for families in Gloucester and the surrounding areas, particularly for those looking for a term-time preschool that offers strong preparation for school, a calm and structured day, and good overall value. Because of the way our day is structured and the level of care we provide, places are limited.

We offer 30 places per session, which helps us maintain a calmer environment, closer support for children, and stronger day-to-day relationships with families. This smaller session size is an important part of how we work and one of the reasons many parents choose our preschool.

Daily numbers are carefully managed to ensure children receive the attention, support and consistency they need, and to allow us to maintain safe staffing levels throughout the day. For this reason, availability can be limited and we encourage families to get in touch early if they are considering a place.

Choosing a preschool is an important decision, and we understand that parents want to feel confident and informed before making that choice. The best way to understand what makes Innsworth Preschool different is to visit us in person. A visit allows you to see our environment, meet the team, and get a real sense of how our day runs and how children are supported.

During a visit, we are happy to talk through session times, funding, meals, optional enhancements, and how places work in practice, and to answer any questions you may have. We aim to be open and clear, so families know exactly what to expect and can decide whether our approach is the right fit for them.