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Willow Tree Daycare

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2025)
·
5.0(5 parent reviews) ·Willow Tree Daycare, Lee Lane, Sheffield, S36 9NN · Barnsley
Number of places
32 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2025
Local authority
Barnsley

About this day nursery

Willow Tree Daycare, located between Penistone and Holmfirth, offers childcare services for children aged 6 months to 5 years. The nursery focuses on providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can play, learn, and grow into confident and independent individuals.

With a dedication to open-ended play, they offer a diverse range of interactive activities designed to support each child's unique age, stage, and development. The stunning rural location, surrounded by fields and woodland, provides ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and nature walks, ensuring children have safe and expansive spaces to learn and play.

Their core mission is to create a welcoming "home from home" atmosphere where every child feels safe, happy, and valued.

Our ethos

Willow Tree Daycare is committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters confident and independent individuals. Their approach centres on open-ended play and offers diverse interactive activities to support each child's unique development. They aim to create a welcoming "home from home" atmosphere where children feel safe, happy, and valued.

What it's like

Children arrive happily at this warm and welcoming nursery, where staff greet them individually with genuine care. They take time to gather important information from parents, ensuring each child's needs are understood and met from the very start. As a result, children settle quickly and form strong, trusting relationships with staff and their friends.

Rural locationAges 6 months to 5 yearsOpen-ended playGovernment funded hours

Pricing & funding

This nursery offers full-day, morning, and afternoon sessions. Additional hours are available if pre-booked, and homemade meals are charged separately.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • A deposit is required to reserve a place, which is refunded on the first month's invoice.
  • All fees are payable one month in advance, before the 25th of the previous month.
  • Extra hours must be pre-booked.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday: 8am - 6pm

Age range

6 Months to 5 Years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Food

Homemade dinner and tea, or packed lunch

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Willow Tree Daycare

Last inspected 12 August 2025 · Jennifer Cowton

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 arrive happily at this warm and welcoming nursery, where staff greet them individually with genuine care. They take time to gather important information from parents, ensuring each child's needs are understood and met from the very start. As a result, children settle quickly and form strong, trusting relationships with staff and their friends.

Inspector highlights

  • Children's independence is consistently promoted.
  • Staff skilfully support children's communication and language development.
  • Staff actively promote children's healthy lifestyles through daily routines and activities.
  • Partnerships with parents are highly effective.
  • Leaders are passionate and committed to continual improvement.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to implement additional strategies for reducing dummy use, further enhancing children's communication and language development
  • 2strengthen current monitoring and staff observations to place greater emphasis on improving teaching quality, ensuring it is consistently of a high standard.
Inspection #10415286 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children enjoy daily outdoor play, developing physical skills and a love of being active. For example, children recall actions to a favourite book, pretending to go on a bear hunt in the outdoor forest area.

Parent Reviews of Willow Tree Daycare

5.0
(5)
Rosie Elliott
5 months ago

Brilliant nursery, very open and welcoming making the transition as easy as possible for you and your little ones. The team work so hard to make sure the kids have lovely moments and memories.

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Joseph Longley
a year ago

Really good nursery. Owner is very friendly and welcoming. Staff are all amazing and have been brilliant with our girl who has complex needs. The setting is awesome inside and out with various different outside and inside spaces. My other children have been to other nurseries in Penistone and must say this one is the best locally and well worth the 5 minute drive out of town.

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Rebecca Mills
2 years ago

My little one joined in September of last year and he absolutely loves it. He has become more confident and really enjoys going to nursery. The staff are so friendly and approachable and you really feel like your child is in the best hands. Thanks so much everyone you’re amazing!

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Alexandra Dontu
a year ago

My little girl adores going to the nursery. 100% recommend! 🩷🥳 Everyone is kind, dedicated and patient, you couldn't ask for more. 🌻

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Alina Fitzgerald
2 years ago

Our son was one of the first to start at Willowtree when it opened. Lovely daycare, with a team that have a great attitude and genuinely care about the children. Would highly recommend.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Willow Tree Daycare. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2025

  • September 2025Good
  • August 2025Good

Frequently asked about Willow Tree Daycare

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