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The Willows Pre-School Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
·Portland Court, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 6EX · Nottingham
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Nottingham

About this day nursery

The Willows Preschool, established in 2025, offers high-quality, child-led early education for children aged 3-5 years. Rooted in the Poplars Approach, the nursery focuses on outdoor exploration, curiosity, and sustainability.

The curriculum balances adult-led and child-initiated learning, incorporating playful and practical experiences connected to real life. The preschool provides a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to build confidence, independence, and critical thinking skills.

Forest School sessions are a key element, offering hands-on natural experiences that promote exploration and a deeper connection to the environment. Mealtimes are designed to be social and supportive, with a focus on nutritious, balanced diets in line with Food Standards Agency guidance.

The Willows Preschool values inclusivity, welcoming and supporting all children, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and works in partnership with parents and professionals to create tailored learning journeys.

Our ethos

The Willows Pre-School Nursery's pedagogy is the "Poplars Approach," emphasising outdoor exploration, curiosity, and sustainability. Their curriculum integrates adult-led and child-initiated learning through practical, real-life experiences, including Forest School sessions. They foster confidence, independence, and critical thinking, valuing inclusivity and parent partnerships.

What it's like

Children show positive relationships with staff and are greeted warmly upon arrival. They are supported to understand their uniqueness and persevere when faced with challenges. Children show kindness to their peers and invite staff to join their play, promoting cooperative interactions.

Child-led learningOutdoor explorationForest SchoolSustainable practicesNutritious meals

Pricing & funding

The nursery requests a voluntary daily consumable charge to cover food, utilities, and essential resources. Parents who choose not to contribute are asked to provide a packed lunch following the nursery's guidance. The charge is applied for both half-day and full-day sessions.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Consumable charge covers food, utilities, cleaning supplies, and resources.
  • Consumable charge is a voluntary contribution.
  • Parents opting out of the consumable charge must provide a packed lunch.

Key facts

Food

Nutritious and healthy food provided; children involved in serving themselves.

Opening hours

Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Age range

3-5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Half-day, Full-day

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Willows Pre-School Nursery

Last inspected 31 July 2025 · Hayley Ruane

Safeguarding effective
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 show positive relationships with staff and are greeted warmly upon arrival. They are supported to understand their uniqueness and persevere when faced with challenges. Children show kindness to their peers and invite staff to join their play, promoting cooperative interactions.

Inspector highlights

  • Children show positive attitudes in their play and are supported to persevere when they struggle to find solutions to problems.
  • Staff use words in children's home languages to support their understanding of routines when they first start, and children's home traditions are celebrated.
  • Staff are supported to build on their knowledge of how to help children learn, including exploring and investigating nature.
  • Staff are skilful at challenging children's learning, such as to develop their physical skills through activities like squirting water bottles.
  • Staff arrange for teachers to visit children in the pre-school prior to school moves, helping children develop confidence.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen partnerships with parents, using what parents already provide when children start and gathering ongoing information about children's abilities at home, to help plan more precisely for their development
  • 2support staff to develop their interactions with children to help build on their language skills.
Inspection #10398424 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Improvements have recently been made to the pre-school to increase learning opportunities for children outdoors. Staff provide experiences for children to learn how foods grow, such as beans and herbs, and children help staff to water plants. Staff also provide herbs for children to explore in their play, for role-play and making pretend potions.

Inspection history

Date: April 2010

  • July 2025Good
  • October 2019Good
  • July 2016Good
  • June 2013Good
  • April 2010Good

Frequently asked about The Willows Pre-School Nursery

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more