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Willow Tree Nursery School

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·
4.6(17 parent reviews) ·Chingford Avenue, Clacton-on-sea, CO15 4US · Essex
Number of places
190 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Willow Tree Nursery School in Clacton-on-Sea offers a nurturing environment where children aged 6 weeks to 5 years can explore and develop a love for learning. The nursery focuses on fostering inquisitiveness and imagination through engaging indoor and outdoor spaces, including an adventurous outdoor area with a mud kitchen and reading nook, as well as a dedicated sensory room for relaxation.

Experienced educators tailor learning experiences to each child's individual needs and pace. The nursery provides amenities such as a cookery and yoga room to ignite curiosity, and age-specific areas with direct garden access.

For parents, the nursery offers a convenient parent app for communication and updates, along with a spacious car park for easy drop-offs and pick-ups. They aim to keep parents informed through daily chats, learning journals, and parents' evenings.

The fees are inclusive of infant formula, milk, home-cooked meals, snacks, and extracurricular activities, with transparency regarding charges like registration fees and deposits. The nursery operates year-round, closing only for Easter week, Christmas week, and two staff training days, and invoices parents monthly with consistent amounts to aid financial planning.

They also provide discounts for siblings and full-time attendance.

What it's like

Children settle quickly into the nursery and develop confidence and independence. They are keen and active learners, supported by staff who know them well and plan activities based on their interests. Children are well-behaved and understand routines, showing respect for each other.

Forest School adventuresYoga sessionsSensory roomCookery roomParent App

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by age band, covering under twos to two-year-olds, and three to four-year-olds. Sessions are offered as full days, mornings, or afternoons. Rates are effective from April 2026, with discounts available for siblings and full-time attendance. All meals and drinks are included.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Non-refundable registration fee of £25 and a £100 deposit (credited to the first invoice) required.
  • All fees include infant formula, milk, home-cooked meals, snacks, and extracurricular activities.
  • A £5 administration fee applies to bank transfer payments.
  • Sibling and full-time attendance discounts are available.

Key facts

Opening hours

Full days: 8 am - 6 pm; Mornings: 8 am - 1 pm; Afternoons: 1 pm - 6 pm

Food

Infant formula, milk, home-cooked meals and snacks included. Parents must bring own nappies.

Age range

6 weeks to 5 years

Session types

Full days, Mornings, Afternoons

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Willow Tree Nursery School

Last inspected 23 October 2024

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 settle quickly into the nursery and develop confidence and independence. They are keen and active learners, supported by staff who know them well and plan activities based on their interests. Children are well-behaved and understand routines, showing respect for each other.

Inspector highlights

  • Children develop confidence and independence from a young age through opportunities to learn practical skills.
  • Children are keen and active learners, and staff effectively support them by planning around individual interests.
  • Staff encourage children's speech and communication through conversations and questioning.
  • Key persons work effectively with parents and other professionals to address gaps in children's development.
  • Children enjoy freely moving between base rooms and outdoor areas, with outdoor learning promoted effectively.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen and embed the programme of professional development to support staff in further developing their knowledge, confidence and skills to a consistently high level
  • 2make the best possible use of the environment in the nursery and surrounding areas to fully promote and extend children's learning opportunities.
Inspection #10370135 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents who contributed to the inspection, speak highly of the care their children receive and comment that they feel that their children are safe and well cared for.

Many recommend the nursery to friends and family and speak of the core strengths being the effective methods of communication between staff and parents.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Key persons work effectively with parents and other professionals to help to identify and close any gaps in children's development. Staff receive appropriate training to help them to further develop their understanding of meeting the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Outdoor space

Toddlers and pre-school children freely access the many outdoor garden spaces and quickly learn how to put their coats on and off. Children thoroughly enjoy freely moving between the base rooms and garden areas. Outdoor learning is promoted effectively in all of the garden areas, enabling children to explore natural materials as well as to develop their physical abilities.

Parent Reviews of Willow Tree Nursery School

4.6
(17)
Andrew Mackenzie
2 months ago

My daughter has been at this nursery for what seems like a lifetime. When I first went, I thought that she was not going to get in due to limited spaces although they had great space and availability for her. Since being there, she has grown thrived learnt so much made lifelong friends with both teachers staff and the children there The staff there are amazing at their job and do great things for the Children that attend this nursery One of my family members daughters used to attend this nursery And still remembers her old teacher, although she is now seven. I would highly recommend this nursery they have great facilities And accommodate for all They help support and work with children and parents so that both the children and their parents can get the best out of the nursery. They do both term time and all year-round placements. Overall fantastic Nursery With fantastic sttaff

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Sophie Sparrow
a year ago

Willow tree nursery is by far the best in the area, they are so caring and attentive to my boy who attends the nursery and his development milestones have been met and he is thriving from being there. If there are any accidents or any issues they contact me immediately. They have a brilliant online system where they put updates and photos of my son enjoying his day and they provide hot cooked meals and snacks throughout the day which is amazing. I was very nervous about sending him to any nursery but as soon as we step foot through the door we were put at ease by the kind and caring staff. We couldn’t be more thankful to willow tree!

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Charlotte Johnson
a year ago

My Daughter attended here recently from aged 2 to 4 and absolutely loved the Willow Tree, she built good relationships with peers and staff and always enjoyed the activities on offer in the rooms. I always felt comfortable leaving her and knowing she would be well looked after. The preschool room staff also really helped with the transition to Primary School.

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Jodie Clarricoats
a year ago

A beautiful nursery! The staff are so caring and attentive, and the setting is geared up for little curious minds. I love receiving updates about the fun activities my little one is doing during the day and if there are any concerns they contact me promptly. My little one has a huge smile when we arrive to drop him off which shows how much he loves it there!

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Demi Hart
a year ago

Both of my young children have attended this nursery and it is by far the best in our area. The staff are lovely and incredibly supportive of both the children and parents. It is a very clean and professional nursery and my boys favourite is the yummy meals they supply!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Willow Tree Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2024

  • November 2024Good
  • October 2024Good

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