Peapods Nursery in Henley-on-Thames

About this day nursery

Peapods Nursery School, a family-run establishment near Henley-on-Thames, provides nursery and pre-school education for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The day nursery aims to offer high-quality, accessible childcare in a warm, safe, and happy environment, fostering confidence, sociability, and independence in its children.

Located in Peppard Common, close to Sonning Common and Nettlebed, the day nursery occupies a renovated Dutch barn on Manor Farm, blending modern facilities with original character. This unique setting, surrounded by fields and woodland, promotes a natural, outdoor-focused approach to learning.

The environment is designed to be child-centred, with open-ended play opportunities that encourage deep engagement and imaginative exploration. The nursery embraces a free-flow approach, allowing children to make choices throughout their day, supplemented by structured circle times for stories, songs, and conversations.

Emphasis is placed on outdoor play, utilising a secure courtyard, a field with a mud kitchen, a mini-forest, and a giant sandpit. The curriculum is shaped by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), offering rich learning activities that help children develop a positive sense of self, respect for others and their environment, social skills, and a positive attitude towards learning.

Peapods Nursery also prioritises close partnership with parents, offering an open-door policy and ensuring regular communication about a child's progress and learning journey.

Our ethos

At Peapods we have created a child centred environment which supports open ended play. We provide ample play opportunities where children can engage deeply and ensure a child's imagination is not limited by what they play with. Our free flow approach allows children to make their own choices during their time at Peapods. A wide range of rich learning activities are planned, which are available for all children to access and are shaped by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

What it's like

Leaders and staff help children to feel safe and secure at the nursery. Children benefit from the warm and calm nature of this carefully planned environment. They arrive happy and separate from parents with ease, swiftly making positive choices about their play. Staff work closely with parents to get to know their key children well, finding out what they can already do and what their next steps in learning are. Staff provide flexible settling-in options to ensure that each child's wellbeing is prioritised. New children quickly form strong attachments with their key person. This develops their self-confidence allowing them to freely play and explore, knowing that they can seek comfort from a trusted adult when needed.

Pricing & funding

Peapods Nursery charges a daily rate for a standard nursery day from 8:30am to 4:00pm. An additional fee applies for early arrival between 8:00am and 8:30am. Snacks, drinks, and child-specific consumables are included in the daily rate. A minimum booking of two fixed days per week is required.