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Willow Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
·St Paul's Church Hall, Boundary Road, Nottingham, NG2 7DB · Nottinghamshire
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Nottinghamshire

About this day nursery

Willow Pre-School, established in 1964, has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in West Bridgford for over five decades. The pre-school operates from a spacious hall, designed to be comfortable in all seasons, and includes a smaller, carpeted room for quiet activities.

Emphasising outdoor exploration, the facility boasts two distinct areas: a fenced play area with a patio and a larger garden featuring mature trees for shade. Children are divided into two age-appropriate groups, accommodating up to 30 children at any given time.

The pre-school maintains a high adult-to-child ratio, ensuring personalised attention and support for each child's learning journey. Their play-based curriculum is aligned with The Early Years Foundation Stage, covering seven key areas of development.

The pre-school is committed to inclusivity, operating an equal opportunity policy and offering places based on availability, irrespective of background or additional needs. They also have dedicated SENCO and Language Leads to support children with special educational needs or language requirements.

Our ethos

Willow Pre-school operates a robust equal opportunity policy and children are offered places as they become available regardless of ethnicity, religion or additional needs. We have a designated SENCO and Language Lead who will liaise with you, your child's key person and other professionals as required. The waiting list is operated in birth date order: please give your child's details to any member of staff.

What it's like

Staff support children to follow daily routines, which helps them feel secure. They also plan activities to help children learn about their local community and people who can help them. Children show positive relationships with staff and are keen to hold conversations, supporting their communication skills.

Long-established (since 1964)Play-based learningOutdoor focus with two باغ areasHigh staff-to-child ratioInclusive environment (SENCO and Language Lead support)

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on three-hour sessions, lunch club, or full-day rates. Fees are billed on a termly basis and include all consumables with no extra hidden charges.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Good to know

  • No extra charges for consumables.
  • Fees are payable termly.
  • Accepted payment methods include cash, cheque, bank transfer, and childcare vouchers.
  • Four weeks' notice is required when dropping sessions, or fees in lieu will be charged.
  • Fees are payable during absence, except in cases of prolonged sickness exceeding three weeks.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday during school term time.

Session types

Morning Session (9am-12pm), Lunch Club (12-1pm), Afternoon Session (1-4pm)

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

2011

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Willow Pre-School

Last inspected 30 September 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

Staff support children to follow daily routines, which helps them feel secure. They also plan activities to help children learn about their local community and people who can help them. Children show positive relationships with staff and are keen to hold conversations, supporting their communication skills.

Inspector highlights

  • The small staff team work well together and receive support through staff meetings and appraisal sessions.
  • Staff are good role models for children, showing respect and listening to their views.
  • Staff provide a curriculum that supports children's learning, including helping younger children feel comfortable and older children develop mathematical skills.
  • Staff offer children nutritious meals and drinks and help them learn about healthy foods.
  • Staff share photos and written observations with parents to help them understand how their children are developing.

Areas to develop

  • 1To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should support staff to develop the planning and implementation of large-group times to encourage all children to focus and engage in the learning offered.
  • 2To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should strengthen partnership working with all other early years settings that children also attend to help staff to gather a fuller picture of children's abilities.
Inspection #10407942 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment positively about their children's experiences in the pre-school. They say that staff provide comfort and support for children if they are upset, helping them to settle quickly.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to listen and follow instructions in different ways, to meet their individual needs, including singing instructions. Staff complete training to help develop their knowledge of how to encourage children to communicate their needs and work in partnership with other professionals to identify and implement targets to meet children's individual needs.

Outdoor space

Children learn new words to help build on their vocabulary, such as 'burrowing' when staff talk to them about worms going into soil in the garden.

Inspection history

Date: April 2012

  • September 2025Good
  • January 2020Good
  • February 2016Good
  • April 2012Good

Frequently asked about Willow Pre-School

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