Business Details
33 Years
experience
Trusted Early Years Education in Henley-on-Thames
At Highmoor Nursery School, we have dedicated ourselves to nurturing young minds since 1993, creating a secure and stimulating environment where children aged 18 months to 5 years can learn and thrive. Our team of qualified professionals prioritises individual care, fostering confidence and self-esteem through a child-centred approach aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Recognised by Ofsted as a 'Good' provider, we build strong partnerships with parents and carers, ensuring each child develops a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Our spacious rural setting offers a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, supported by specialist programmes in music, sport, yoga, and Forest School. With a focus on holistic development, we prepare children for future academic success while instilling values of empathy and environmental awareness.Our staff hold advanced qualifications in early years education, including NVQ Level 3 and specialist accreditations, ensuring expert delivery of our comprehensive curriculum. We maintain rigorous safeguarding standards and operate a safer recruitment policy to protect all children in our care. Through cooking classes, language lessons, and physical education, we develop essential life skills while addressing individual learning needs. Our commitment to inclusivity ensures every child receives tailored support to reach their full potential. This combination of experienced leadership, proven methodologies, and nurturing environment establishes Highmoor Nursery School as a trusted partner in early childhood development.
Services
Nursery Education
Forest School
Cooking Classes
French Lessons
SportyMinis
Music Sessions
Yoga Classes
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- Experienced team with NVQ Level 3 qualifications in childcare and education
- Ofsted-rated 'Good' for quality of care and educational outcomes
- Specialist programmes in Forest School, yoga, and physical development
- Strong parent partnerships supporting individual child needs
- Rural setting with purpose-built facilities for holistic learning
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Nurturing staff
Amazing start
Caring space
Happy place
Family-like atmosphere
Services
Nursery Education
Our nursery education programme delivers structured learning for children aged 18 months to 5 years. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, we combine adult-led instruction with child-initiated play. Qualified staff create individualised learning plans addressing seven key development areas while promoting social skills and environmental awareness.
Forest School
Forest School sessions develop resilience and environmental understanding through hands-on outdoor activities. Led by a Level 3 qualified instructor, children explore natural settings while building physical coordination and problem-solving skills. Weekly sessions focus on risk assessment, teamwork, and nature-based creativity within a secure learning environment.
Cooking Classes
Weekly cooking classes teach practical life skills through food preparation activities. Children develop fine motor skills while learning about nutrition and food origins. Each session incorporates counting, colour recognition, and sensory exploration, with participants taking home their culinary creations to share with families.
SportyMinis
SportyMinis sessions enhance gross motor skills through structured physical activities. Certified instructors guide children through movement exercises that improve coordination and spatial awareness. The programme develops 21 fundamental movement skills while integrating literacy and numeracy concepts through active play.
French Lessons
French lessons introduce preschool children to basic language concepts through songs and interactive play. Weekly sessions teach greetings, numbers, and colours using familiar nursery rhymes adapted into French. Visual aids and props reinforce vocabulary acquisition while developing phonetic awareness in a fun, engaging format.
People
Gwen Pragnell
Nursery Manager
Owner and manager since 2007, Gwen holds an NVQ3 in Childcare and Education. She oversees daily operations, safeguarding, and curriculum implementation while maintaining strong community partnerships to enhance learning opportunities for all children.
Helen Beville
Deputy Manager
With over 20 years' experience, Helen serves as Deputy Manager and Safeguarding Lead. Her background includes teaching assistant roles and leadership positions across multiple preschool settings, ensuring consistent high standards of care and education.
Rachel Huckvale
Forest School Leader
Level 3 Forest School qualified, Rachel delivers outdoor education sessions that balance adventure with safety. Her programmes encourage environmental stewardship while developing children's confidence through structured nature-based learning experiences.
Jack Renshaw
Sports Coach
Jack specialises in early years physical development, creating engaging SportyMinis sessions that build fundamental movement skills. His approach combines imaginative play with structured exercise to improve coordination and promote healthy lifestyle habits.
Sharon Rumsey
Music Teacher
Sharon leads dynamic music sessions that develop rhythm and language skills. Using themed lessons with props and instruments, she creates multisensory experiences that enhance motor skills and foster creative expression through musical exploration.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children from 18 months to 5 years old, offering tailored programmes for different developmental stages.
Is government funding available?
Yes, we offer 15 and 30-hour funded childcare options with additional services available at extra cost.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All teaching staff hold NVQ Level 3 qualifications in childcare with specialist accreditations in areas like Forest School and safeguarding.
How do you support child development?
We use a balanced approach combining EYFS curriculum with specialist activities in music, sport, and outdoor learning to address all developmental areas.
Are there extra-curricular activities?
Yes, we provide Forest School, cooking classes, French lessons, yoga, and SportyMinis sessions as part of our enhanced curriculum.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain regular communication through direct contact, progress updates, and partnership meetings to support each child's individual needs.
