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Willow Tree Pre School

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2025)
·
5.0(9 parent reviews) ·Manor Farm, Ridgeway Road, Altrincham, WA15 7HE · Trafford
Number of places
40 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2025
Local authority
Trafford

About this day nursery

Willow Tree Pre School provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 0-5 years, focusing on learning through play within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Located on the top floor of Manor Farm, the setting boasts two large interconnected rooms, a purpose-built kitchen, and children's toilets, all designed to facilitate continuous provision.

Additionally, children benefit from a secure, purpose-built outdoor garden and access to 22 acres of surrounding land for exploration. Each child is assigned a Key Worker to support their development and serve as a primary contact for parents.

The curriculum is enriched with external qualified teachers offering additional lessons in Sports, Eco Warriors/forest school, and dance. The preschool is committed to fostering resilience, independence, critical thinking, and social skills to prepare children for their future learning journeys.

Asher Sievey, the owner and manager, leads a team of qualified and experienced staff who are passionate about early years education.

Our ethos

To provide a safe, inspiring, child centred space, for independent learning through child led provision

What it's like

Children have a happy time in the company of caring staff. The curriculum is planned in a way that promotes children's self-motivated learning, giving them plenty of time to explore and play. Staff devise consistent routines that help children to feel calm and secure, and learn to regulate their own behaviour.

Learning through playEYFS frameworkSecure garden and 22 acres of landExternal enrichment activitiesKey Worker system

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged per morning session, with additional hours billed separately. A monthly pre-school fund contribution covers care packages, and no top-up fees are applied to funded hours.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • Morning session fees are payable half-termly in advance.
  • A monthly pre-school fund is required for the child's care package.
  • No top-up fees are added to funded hours.

Key facts

Food

Morning and afternoon snack provided; cereal for breakfast hour. Children bring packed lunch for those staying for lunch. Milk or water to drink.

Opening hours

Mondays & Fridays 8am-3pm; Tuesdays/Wednesday/Thursday 8am-4pm during term time.

Session types

Morning Session (9am – 12pm), Early Drop Off (from 8am), Later Pick Up Times (2pm, 3pm or 4pm)

Age range

0-5 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Willow Tree Pre School

Last inspected 3 April 2025

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 have a happy time in the company of caring staff. The curriculum is planned in a way that promotes children's self-motivated learning, giving them plenty of time to explore and play. Staff devise consistent routines that help children to feel calm and secure, and learn to regulate their own behaviour.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff model friendly relationships and teamwork, continuously improving their professional knowledge and skills.
  • Staff's incidental interactions with children are often of high quality, helping to assess and extend children's existing knowledge.
  • Children's physical development is promoted well through activities like inserting spaghetti into a colander and riding scoot-along bikes.
  • Children know the behaviour that is expected of them and learn to be tolerant and respectful of others.
  • Children learn mathematical vocabulary in meaningful contexts, such as counting crackers for snack time.

Areas to develop

  • 1sharpen planning for extending and reinforcing children's vocabulary and conversation skills.
Inspection #10380609 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children change their footwear between indoor and outdoor play. Pre-school children ride scoot-along bikes with increasing confidence. They take split-second evasive action when another child walks onto the slope that they were speeding towards. The exercise promotes children's stamina, coordination and balance.

Parent Reviews of Willow Tree Pre School

5.0
(9)
David Price
a year ago

We can’t thank Willow tree pre school enough for an amazing start to our little boys school career. He had never been to any childcare setting without us before and we were really worried he would be upset and unsettled. The ladies at willow tree were so reassuring and accommodating and we immediately felt at ease when they kept in close contact with us and we were able to settle him gradually. He settled brilliantly and then absolutely loved his time there and all the staff are amazing and go above and beyond to make sure the children have the best fun every day and that they feel happy, safe and secure. This is our second child who has loved Willow Tree and we would 💯 recommend here to everyone we know. Thank you so much Willow tree. ❤️❤️

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Katrina Smith
a year ago

I have been connected to willow tree, Asher and her team for many years my son now 11 also went to willow tree when he was little and I wouldn’t have sent my daughter Polly anywhere else. I trust Asher and all the staff to look after her 100% to keep her safe and happy. Polly has absolutely loved her time at Willow Tree she would always go in and come home happy and made lovely bonds with the teachers. I love seeing all the photos and videos of Polly having fun with her friends. I love that they have so much time and freedom to be children and lead their own play. Asher encourages them to build on their own ideas and imagination - Willow Tree has the perfect ethos for young children to grow and develop before they start school life. I will be forever grateful for such a wonderful happy start for Polly Thank you Willow Tree 🌳 💛🧡🩵🩷🌈

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Rebecca Robinson
a year ago

Words aren’t enough to express the gratitude I feel towards Asher and her team. The genuine love, care and nurture they have for the children is evident every single day. Willow Tree feels like a family and it is obvious to see that all the staff love their job and enjoy being with the children. During my daughters Reception transition, the assistant head of her new school visited Willow Tree and told me out of all the early year settings she had visited Willow Tree stood out for so many reasons🤩 A huge heartfelt thank you from Rebecca, Ezra and Zadie xxx

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Olivia Rose
a year ago

Our son started willow tree in October 2021 and has just graduated this week. From start to finish his time at willow tree has been so easy for us we have never had any worries about him there, its a fun, playful, nurturing and educational environment, from digging worms with eco warriors to learning sports and dance every week. The girls go above and beyond to make every child (and parents) feel so welcome. Everyday they will follow the childrens interest and allow them to pursue them further, such as our son loved Space and learnt lots of new facts from a day in Willow tree coming home with crafts that he chose to do. They are wonderful in every way and we are sad that our son’s time has come to an end at willow tree but they have made sure he is more than ready for reception. I would and will be doing recommending Willow tree pre school to anyone looking for an outstanding preschool.

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Leanne Warburton
a year ago

My little boy started at willow tree back in January. He had never been anywhere else before so it took a little while for him to settle in. The ladies really persevered and helped both him and me get him used to going. He has now come on leaps and bounds and is going back for longer days in September. They recently really helped with his potty training. I really can't fault willow tree and everything they do. Highly recommend 🙌

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

Inspection history

Date: April 2025

  • May 2025Good
  • April 2025Good

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