Into-Play Barnwood
A family-run day nursery on Barnwood Road, caring for children from 6 weeks to 4 years 11 months.
Rated 9.9 on daynurseries.co.uk (opens in a new tab) from 125 reviews
Where to find us
Opening times
- Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.00pm
- Open all year, closed on bank holidays
About our Barnwood nursery
Into-Play Barnwood opened in October 2015 in the former doctors’ surgery on Barnwood Road, and has been welcoming new families almost every week since.
Most families find us the way the best nurseries are found: through a recommendation from another parent.
A look around Barnwood
Our rooms at Barnwood
Children move up through four rooms as they grow, each with its own team and space.
Baby Room
6 weeks to around 18 months
Our Baby Room provides a warm, safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for babies from as young as 6 weeks through to around 18 months old. We understand that starting nursery is a big step for both babies and their parents, which is why we offer complimentary introductory sessions before your baby starts with us, allowing everyone time to build trusting relationships and become familiar with their new surroundings at their own pace.
Our experienced Baby Room team are all specifically trained in working with children under two, with Paediatric First Aid training and a strong understanding of safer sleep practices. Babies are encouraged to explore and learn through a wide range of sensory and age-appropriate experiences, whilst receiving plenty of cuddles, reassurance and responsive care throughout their day.
Our newly renovated outdoor area is a particular favourite, and we believe babies benefit enormously from fresh air and outdoor exploration, so we take our babies outside every day, whatever the weather. Above all, we want every baby at Into-Play to feel safe, secure, loved and confident, knowing that they are cared for by a team who genuinely understand and respond to their individual needs.
Tweenies
Around 18 months to 2 and a half years
Our Tweenies Room is a bright, welcoming and nurturing space for children from around 18 months to 2 and a half years, purpose built as an extension to Into-Play in summer 2024. The room has become a wonderful addition to our setting, providing children with a carefully considered environment where they can grow in confidence, develop their independence and prepare for their next steps.
At this stage we place a strong emphasis on communication and language, with our practitioners modelling language throughout the day, sharing lots of stories and encouraging children to express themselves. We also begin to develop those all important self care skills, from washing their own hands and feeding themselves to finding their own coat on their peg.
Children enjoy a wide variety of experiences, including plenty of physical play to develop gross motor skills, as well as opportunities to practise being part of a larger group through our group time activities, helping them prepare for the move into our 2-3's room. Our Tweenies also have their own dedicated outdoor area, including a shaded astroturf space, sand and water play.
2-3's
2 to 3 years
Our 2-3's Room is a large, spacious and thoughtfully designed environment where children can continue to develop their confidence, independence and growing sense of self. At this important stage we place a particular focus on Personal, Social and Emotional Development, helping children to build friendships, learn to share and take turns, recognise and begin to manage their emotions, and develop the confidence to become increasingly independent.
Through our key person approach, children benefit from meaningful relationships with their practitioners, who provide tailored experiences and planning based on each child's individual interests, needs and development. Children enjoy a balance of large and small group experiences, alongside plenty of opportunities for child led play and exploration, with dedicated spaces for dining and messy play.
Our room has fantastic access to the outdoors, including an undercover, all year round decking area connected directly to the room, as well as our newly renovated large grassy area with flower and vegetable patches. We also provide gentle, consistent support as children begin their toilet training journey, working closely with parents along the way.
Pre-School
3 years to starting school
Our Pre-School is where children take their final exciting steps towards starting school, with a strong focus on developing the confidence, independence and skills they will need for their Reception year. Located across the whole of the second floor of Into-Play, our spacious Pre-School is made up of four individual playrooms: our Messy Room, Curiosity Room, Quiet Room and Role Play Room. Children are encouraged to make their own choices about where they would like to play, helping them develop independence and confidence in their own abilities.
Alongside plenty of opportunities for child led learning, our dedicated Pre-School team incorporate daily phonics, early literacy and numeracy into the children's day through fun, interactive and engaging experiences. Outdoor learning is also a huge part of life in Pre-School, with our newly renovated astroturf area and a wonderful wilderness area, where the children can watch tadpoles develop into frogs and visit our resident guinea pigs, Jelly and Peanut.
We love to provide memorable experiences too, welcoming visitors such as mobile zoos, owls and autism support dogs, as well as enjoying regular trips into the local community, visits to parks and our weekly Robot Reg phonics sessions with Vicky. To make sure every child is given the support they need, we complete Ready for Learning questionnaires each term.
Outdoor space
All ages
Barnwood has the largest outdoor space of our two nurseries, and every room makes the most of it. Our newly renovated grassy area has flower and vegetable patches, a Fairy garden and a Bug house, so children can dig, plant and explore all year round.
Our babies have their own newly renovated outdoor area and go outside every day, whatever the weather. The Tweenies have a dedicated outdoor area with a shaded astroturf space, sand and water play, and the 2-3's Room opens onto an undercover decking area that can be used all year round.
Pre-School children enjoy a newly renovated astroturf area and a wilderness area, where they can watch tadpoles grow into frogs and visit our resident guinea pigs, Jelly and Peanut.
What you’ll find at Barnwood
A few of the things that make our Barnwood nursery a happy place to be.
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A garden made for exploring
Our large grassy play area has a Fairy garden and a Bug house, so children can dig, plant and explore outdoors all year round.
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Space to grow indoors
Bright, spacious rooms and excellent facilities throughout give every age group room to play, rest and learn.
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Ready for the move to school
Strong links with local infant schools, including Elmbridge, Dinglewell and Abbeymead, make starting school familiar and gentle.
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A wilderness to discover
Children watch tadpoles turn into frogs in our wilderness area and help look after our resident guinea pigs, Jelly and Peanut.
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Four Pre-School playrooms
Our Messy, Curiosity, Quiet and Role Play rooms span the whole second floor, so older children choose where they play.
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Visitors and adventures
From mobile zoos and owls to weekly Robot Reg phonics sessions, there is always something memorable happening at Barnwood.
Love Laugh Learn
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A key person who knows your child
Every child is cared for by their own key person, in rooms where they feel safe and very much at home.
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Days built around play and friendship
Well planned experiences indoors and out in the garden, following each child’s own interests.
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Confident learners, ready for school
From babies to preschool, children build the skills and confidence they need for starting school.
Meet the Barnwood team
Careers at Into-PlayThe same familiar faces greet your child every morning. Here are the people leading our Barnwood team.
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Laura Walby
Nursery Manager
Laura has extensive experience supporting managers and maintaining high standards throughout the company. Her responsibilities include welcoming and showing new parents around the nursery, implementing and adapting policies and procedures, carrying out risk assessments, and supporting the smooth daily operation of the setting. Laura also keeps up to date with all key changes to the EYFS framework, ensuring the nursery curriculum remains well balanced and carefully sequenced, with a strong focus on inclusion for all children who attend.
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Sue Smith
Nursery Manager, Baby Room
Sue is our Nursery Manager, currently overseeing the Baby Room at our Barnwood nursery. She has been a dedicated full time member of the company since 2000 and holds an NVQ Level 3 qualification in childcare, which she gained whilst working with us. With many years of experience across the company, Sue previously managed our Quays nursery and brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her role. She also takes responsibility for overseeing the nursery in Laura’s absence, helping to ensure a safe, caring and well organised environment for children, families and staff.
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Katie Bircher
Deputy Manager and SENCo
Katie joined the Barnwood team in 2023 as our Pre-School Room Lead and Deputy Manager. Holding a Level 6 qualification in Early Years, Katie brings enthusiasm, knowledge and strong leadership skills to her role. Alongside supporting the day to day running of the Pre-School Room, Katie is also our nursery SENCo, working closely with families to support children with additional needs. She helps parents with MyPlans and liaises with external professionals so every child receives the guidance they need to thrive. In September 2026 she will begin her Early Years Initial Teacher Training.
Fees
At Into-Play we pride ourselves on our fully transparent fee structure. For our non-funded hours we have a set price that covers the whole time the nursery is open, 10.5 hours, with no hidden extras. Some settings advertise a cheaper daily fee, but this is normally for a set number of hours, not their full opening hours, and they charge extra for early drop off or later pick up. At Into-Play we do not want to disadvantage parents who need these times.
Fees from 1 April 2026, the same at both nurseries
| Session | Under 2s | 2 to 3 years | Over 3s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time, per week | £345.00 | £340.00 | £335.00 |
| Full day, 10.5 hours (7.30am to 6pm) | £71.00 | £70.00 | £68.00 |
| Morning session, 5.5 hours (7.30am to 1pm) | £38.50 | £38.00 | £37.00 |
| Afternoon session, 5 hours (1pm to 6pm) | £36.50 | £36.00 | £35.00 |
| 3 or more full days, per day | £69.00 | £68.00 | £67.00 |
Charged only for sessions taken alongside your government-funded hours. The funded hours themselves are free.
| Session | Charge |
|---|---|
| Funded only session, full day | £12.50 |
| Funded only session, morning | £8.25 |
| Funded only session, afternoon | £4.25 |
| Item | Charge |
|---|---|
| Extra hour | £11.50 |
| Extra half hour | £7.50 |
| Late pick up, per 15 minutes | £16.00 |
| Daily emergency consumable fee | £20.00 |
1 to 3 years
| Item | Morning | Afternoon | All day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and snacks | £6.75 | £2.75 | £9.50 |
| Non-consumable | £0.75 | £0.75 | £1.50 |
| Activities | £0.75 | £0.75 | £1.50 |
3 years and over
| Item | Morning | Afternoon | All day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and snacks | £6.75 | £2.75 | £9.50 |
| Non-consumable | £0.25 | £0.25 | £0.50 |
| Activities | £1.25 | £1.25 | £2.50 |
Barnwood day nursery reviews
Parents review each nursery independently through daynurseries.co.uk.
daynurseries.co.uk review score for Into-Play Barnwood
125 reviews of Into-Play Barnwood
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5 out of 5 stars
“My eldest daughter left preschool at IntoPlay Barnwood in September 2025, and she absolutely thrived there…”
Review of Into-Play Barnwood by Chelsi J (Mother of Child)
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5 out of 5 stars
“Staff are excellent and show a great level of knowledge but also compassion that can’t be taught…”
Review of Into-Play Barnwood by O F (Mother of Child)
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5 out of 5 stars
“My daughter loves going to Into-Play nursery; the staff are friendly, understanding and accommodating…”
Review of Into-Play Barnwood by Abigail D (Mother of Child)
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5 out of 5 stars
“My child is so happy here and has learned so much! The staff are all so lovely and caring…”
Review of Into-Play Barnwood by C B (Mother of Child)
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5 out of 5 stars
“I am generally so happy with the care my son receives at this nursery. The staff are warm, caring and clearly passionate…”
Review of Into-Play Barnwood by Kayleigh C (Mother of Child)
Barnwood nursery: frequently asked questions
A few of the things parents ask about our Barnwood nursery. For anything else, the team is happy to help.
What ages does Into-Play Barnwood take?
We care for children from 6 weeks to 4 years 11 months, across four rooms from babies through to preschool.
Where is Into-Play Barnwood?
You’ll find us at 51 Barnwood Road, Gloucester GL2 0SD, in the former doctors’ surgery on Barnwood Road. There’s a map with directions further up this page.
What are Into-Play Barnwood’s opening hours?
We’re open Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.00pm, all year round, closing only on bank holidays.
Can I look around before my child starts?
Of course. Book a show round whenever suits you, and once your child’s place is booked they settle in with complimentary intro sessions before they start.
Which schools do children move on to from Barnwood?
Many of our children move on to local infant schools including Elmbridge, Dinglewell and Abbeymead, and our strong links with them help make starting school familiar and gentle.
Come and have a look around
Ask us anything, or arrange a show round at Barnwood or The Quays. We will make you and your child very welcome.