Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Willow Nursery School - Nurturing Early Years Education
Willow Nursery School has been nurturing young minds in Dunstable since 1968. Our purpose-built facility offers a structured early years curriculum aligned with the DFE Foundation Stage standards, delivered by a team of graduate teachers and qualified teaching assistants. We provide tailored childcare solutions for children aged 2-4, including flexible 15-hour and 30-hour weekly options for eligible families. Our dedicated Catkins Class ensures age-appropriate care for two-year-olds, while our main nursery accommodates up to 69 children per session. We maintain strong partnerships with parents through regular consultations and transparent communication channels.Our curriculum integrates core books, phonics, and forest school activities to foster holistic development. As a registered nursery provider, we prioritise safeguarding and adhere to rigorous educational frameworks. Our experienced leadership team, including Mrs Trina Evans and Mrs Leigh Davies, ensures operational excellence. We maintain comprehensive policies covering admissions, financial information, and special educational needs. Our commitment to quality has established us as one of Central Bedfordshire's trusted nursery providers.
Services
2-Year-Old Provision
3-Year-Old Provision
30-Hour Option
Charged Places
Forest School Activities
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We have graduate teachers and qualified assistants with decades of early years expertise
- Our purpose-built facility caters specifically to children aged 2-4 years
- We offer flexible 15-hour and 30-hour weekly childcare options for eligible families
- Our curriculum aligns with DFE Foundation Stage requirements and Birth to Five Matters
- We maintain strong parent partnerships through regular consultations and transparent policies
Services
2-Year-Old Provision
Our Catkins Class provides dedicated care for two-year-olds with age-appropriate resources and activities. We offer both funded places for eligible children and paid placements starting from age two. The provision focuses on foundational skills through play-based learning in a secure environment designed specifically for younger children.
3-Year-Old Provision
Three-year-olds access 15 hours of free universal funding with flexible attendance patterns. Our curriculum develops key skills through structured activities and forest school experiences. Qualified teachers deliver the DFE Foundation Stage curriculum while maintaining strong parent communication through regular consultations and progress updates.
30-Hour Option
Eligible working parents can access 30-hour weekly childcare from 8:45am-2:45pm Monday-Friday. This comprehensive option includes all core educational activities and meals. Spaces are available subject to availability and eligibility criteria, providing extended care while maintaining educational standards.
Forest School Activities
Our forest school programme develops outdoor skills and environmental awareness through hands-on experiences. Children engage with nature using purpose-built facilities and specialist equipment. This curriculum component fosters physical development and risk assessment skills in a natural setting.
Special Educational Needs Support
We provide tailored support for children with additional needs through our SENCO and specialist resources. The programme includes individualised learning plans and collaboration with external professionals. Priority access is given to children with specific requirements to ensure appropriate support structures.
People
Mrs Trina Evans
School Manager
Mrs Evans oversees operational management with extensive experience in early years administration. She ensures compliance with regulatory standards and coordinates day-to-day operations across the nursery's 69-child capacity facility.
Mrs Leigh Davies
Head Teacher
As Head Teacher, Mrs Davies leads educational provision with graduate-level expertise. She implements the DFE-aligned curriculum and manages staff development, maintaining high teaching standards across both the main nursery and Catkins Class.
Miss Clair Howe
Deputy Head Teacher
Miss Howe serves as SENCO while managing deputy leadership responsibilities. She coordinates special educational needs provision and supports curriculum implementation, drawing on specialist training to address diverse learning requirements.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We accept children from age 2 through 4, with separate provision for two-year-olds in our Catkins Class.
Are there free childcare options available?
Yes, we offer 15 hours weekly free provision for eligible 2-3 year olds and all 3-year-olds, with 30-hour options for working parents.
What curriculum do you follow?
Our curriculum aligns with the DFE Foundation Stage requirements, incorporating Birth to Five Matters guidance and forest school activities.
How do you support children with special needs?
We have a dedicated SENCO and specialist resources, providing tailored support plans and prioritising access for children with specific requirements.
What are your operating hours?
Standard sessions run 8:45am-2:45pm, with flexible attendance patterns available for both 15-hour and 30-hour options.
