Opening hours
Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.
The Willows Day Care Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2022)
Number of places
68 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2022
Local authority
Cambridgeshire
About this day nursery
The Willows Day Care Nursery, nestled in Soham, CB7 5EE, offers comprehensive care for children aged 3 months to 5 years. The day nursery is thoughtfully organised into three age-specific rooms: "Cubs" caters to infants from 3 months to 2 years, "Badgers" to toddlers aged 2 to 3 years, and "Owls" to preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years.
The day nursery prioritises admissions based on several criteria, including children in care, those with special educational needs or disabilities, vulnerable children, siblings of current attendees, and local residents. A waiting list is in operation, and full-time places may be given preference depending on occupancy and availability.
Parents are required to complete a contract and registration form, providing essential details about their child, such as dietary needs and emergency contacts. The nursery operates with an Inclusion and Equality policy, ensuring equal access regardless of gender, race, disability, religion, belief, or parents' sexual orientation.
They are committed to supporting families and work with parents regarding fee payments and changes in booking. The nursery provides government-funded places for early education, with a termly intake.
Our ethos
We operate an Inclusion and Equality policy and ensure that all children have access to nursery places and services irrespective of their gender, race, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation of parents.
What it's like
Children happily join in with a wide range of play-based activities in this spacious and inviting nursery. The experiences and activities that they enjoy are carefully organised by staff to support children's developmental progress. All children become confident communicators during their time at the nursery due to staff focus on developing their speaking and listening skills.
Age-specific roomsPriority admissionsGovernment funded places availableInclusion and Equality policy
Pricing & funding
Registration fees are required to secure a place, with different terms applying to children attending funded-only hours. Late payments are subject to an additional percentage charge.
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- Registration fee is required to confirm a child's place.
- Registration fee for funded-only children is refunded once the child starts.
- Late payments incur a 10% charge if not paid by the stated date.
Key facts
Age range
3 months to 5 years old
Term time / All Year
All Year
Waitlist
Waiting list operated
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for The Willows Day Care Nursery
Last inspected 8 February 2022
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children happily join in with a wide range of play-based activities in this spacious and inviting nursery. The experiences and activities that they enjoy are carefully organised by staff to support children's developmental progress. All children become confident communicators during their time at the nursery due to staff focus on developing their speaking and listening skills.
Inspector highlights
- The provider, leaders and staff work together to achieve a high quality of care and education.
- The whole team places a strong emphasis on helping children to acquire good communication skills.
- Children become confident and engaged learners, feeling a sense of belonging.
- Partnerships with parents are positive and effective.
- Staff observe and assess children to identify where they are in their learning and development, promptly identifying where extra support is needed.
Areas to develop
- 1develop further the planning of opportunities and activities for babies who may prefer to learn outdoors
- 2monitor and evaluate staff practice more closely, giving them constructive feedback that helps them to know how to further improve their interactions with children.
Inspection #10062079 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff observe and assess children to identify where they are in their learning and development. They promptly identify where children may need extra support to make good progress. Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to identify and put in place support that helps children to catch up with their peers.
Outdoor space
Older children and toddlers enjoy playing in the outdoor areas, pretending to build a garage for vehicles with real bricks, digging in the sand and practising their balancing skills on climbing equipment. Babies also have time outside every day, although with a narrower variety of opportunities for them to explore outdoors.
EAL / language support
Children who speak English as an additional language grow in confidence. Their home languages are valued. For example, staff let them choose what language to say 'hello' in during their group song time.
Google Reviews of The Willows Day Care Nursery
5.0
(3 Google reviews)
Martin Smith
3 years ago
Our son has been going to The Willows for over a year and a half now and he absolutely loves it there. The staff have been absolutely terrific with him since day 1 and he has definitely benefited from being there. Thank you very much for looking after him so well!
Read on Google
Sarah Lynn Drayton
7 years ago
I've always been very happy with the care my child has received whilst attending this nursery. The staff all seem lovely and caring.
Read on Google
Megan Herdson
a year ago
Reviews from Google for The Willows Day Care Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: August 2004
- March 2022Good
- February 2022Good
- February 2016Good
- January 2016Good
- April 2013Requires improvement
- March 2013Requires improvement
- July 2011Requires improvement
- January 2008Requires improvement
- August 2004Good
Frequently asked about The Willows Day Care Nursery
About the setting
The Willows Daycare Nursery registered in 1993. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff, with 15 holding appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, with sessions from 7.30am until 6pm, and provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- 221551
- Registered person
- Seal, David George
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
- Previous rating
- Good
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