Limited spaces available — book your visit today

Forest nursery & pre-school · Maxey, Peterborough

Nursery & forest pre‑school in Maxey

Childcare, pre-school and outdoor learning for children up to 5 years old, set in a 1+ acre garden with forest school, gardening and cooking clubs – and our very own pygmy goats.

Open Monday–Friday, 7.30am–5.30pm  ·  Government-funded places available

Children feeding the pygmy goats with a practitioner in the nursery garden

Loved by Maxey families

4 rooms

Butterflies, Ladybirds, Bumblebees & Dragonflies

1+ acre

Garden and forest school, in all weathers

Fresh food

Meals prepared on site by our in-house chef

15 & 30 hrs

Government-funded childcare available

Learning through play

What does Jack & Jill's offer?

Our approach blends free play, guided play and teacher-led activities, so every child has the opportunity to learn in a way that suits them best.

Free play

Free play is an important part of early childhood development. It allows children to explore their interests, build creativity, and develop independence in a safe and supportive environment. At Jack & Jill’s, children have access to a variety of toys, resources, and imaginative play areas where they can learn naturally through play.

Guided play

Guided play combines the freedom of exploration with gentle support from our experienced practitioners. Staff encourage curiosity by introducing activities, asking questions, and helping children expand their thinking while still allowing them to lead the play.

Teacher-led activities

Our team plans engaging activities designed to support key areas of development such as communication, creativity, early maths, and problem solving. These sessions are carefully adapted to suit each age group and help children gain confidence while learning new skills.

Forest school

Our Forest School sessions allow children to explore and learn in the outdoors. Through nature-based activities such as exploring woodland areas, building, discovering wildlife, and outdoor play, children develop confidence, resilience, and a connection with nature.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which guides learning and development for children from birth to five years. This ensures every child receives high-quality early education that supports their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Childcare

Jack & Jill’s provides a warm, safe, and nurturing childcare environment where children feel happy and secure. Our qualified staff focus on building strong relationships with children and families to ensure each child receives the care and attention they need to thrive.

Pre-school education

Our pre-school sessions help prepare children for their transition to primary school. Through structured activities, group learning, and play-based education, children build the confidence, social skills, and early academic foundations needed for the next stage of their learning journey.

Children playing hoop games in the outdoor play area

Find us

Is your nursery near me?

Jack & Jill’s Nursery is located at West End Rd, Maxey, Peterborough, PE6 9HA. As the leading nursery in Peterborough, we provide childcare that you can depend on.

We welcome locals and those based nearby in areas such as:

Market Deeping Deeping St James Stamford Peterborough Bourne Northborough Glinton Barnack

If you are searching for nursery schools in Maxey, Jack & Jill’s offer a nurturing environment where your child can grow and thrive, with experienced staff dedicated to their development. We are committed to providing high quality care and early education that prepares children for their future.

Children making music with a practitioner in the woodland gazebo

Our rooms

What are Jack & Jill's nursery age ranges?

Butterflies

Aged 6 months – 1 year

Ladybirds

Aged 1 – 2 years

Bumblebees

Aged 2 – 3 years

Dragonflies

Aged 3 – 5 years

Meet the team

Parent reviews

What Maxey parents say

“My child enjoys coming to nursery especially when they go on walks down the lane to see the animals. She settled well into the new room and she talks fondly of the staff.”

A T

“Both our sons were at First Steps Nursery from babies through to leaving for school, meaning we’ve had a relationship with the lovely staff there for the last seven years. The nursery has been supportive throughout, catering to our youngest son’s speech delay and engaging with external professionals where necessary.”

Lisa C

“My son attended this lovely village nursery once a week. He really enjoyed his time at First Steps and he developed leaps and bounds while in the setting. Would definitely recommend First Steps, especially to families with children who love being outdoors.”

Gillian

“Since the new ownership, we have seen our daughter’s confidence grows as she participates in new activities ranging from dancing and sports through to cooking lessons. The sheep have also been a fabulous addition to the nursery family, and the children get so excited about getting to spend time with them. The girls love their time at Jack and Jill’s so much that they often forget to say bye to us in the morning!”

Josh S

Getting started

How to apply for nursery

1

Get in touch with Jack & Jill's

We would be delighted for your children to join us at Jack and Jill’s Day Nursery! Contact us today by completing our enquiry form and we can arrange a visit for you to see our premises.

2

Choose your nursery days

Let us know the preferred start date for your child and which days you would like them to attend nursery. We will do our best to accommodate your preferences.

3

Settle your child into nursery

Our friendly nursery staff will make sure your child feels welcomed and comfortable at all times. We will help to gradually settle them into the nursery with our streamlined process, ensuring a stress-free experience for the parents.

Practitioner leading a group activity with toddlers

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Call us on 01778 428614 or email maxey@jackandjills.co.uk.

What age is nursery?

Children can join Jack and Jill’s Nursery from as young as 3 months old up to 5 years old. Our preschool education typically begins at age 3 and continues until they move onto primary school at 4 or 5 years old.

What are the advantages of day nursery?

Day nurseries provide a safe and structured environment where children can develop social, cognitive and emotional skills through play and learning activities. They also offer reliable childcare for working parents, with trained staff supporting early education.

Can I call the nursery for updates?

Yes, you are welcome to call the nursery school at any time if you have any concerns or important questions. As the best nursery in Maxey, our staff are always happy to provide information whilst caring for the children.

What are the available childcare hours?

We offer half days from 8:30am–1:30pm or 1:30pm–5:30pm, and full day sessions between 8am–5:30pm. There is also an early bird option if you wish to drop your child off at 7.30am or 8am.

Can I pick my child up early?

Yes, it is possible to pick up your child early if necessary. Please just let us know in advance so that we can ensure they are ready for collection. It is important to note that you may still be required to pay for the full session booked.

How much is nursery per day?

At Jack and Jill’s Day Nursery, full-day sessions without funding (8:30am – 5:30pm) cost £1,721.25 for five days a week, with lower rates for fewer days (£688.50 for two days and £1,032.75 for three days). Government funding is available too. Learn more about fees and funding.

Come and see us in Maxey

Book a personalised tour to see our rooms, garden and forest school, meet our friendly team and ask any questions you have.