Business Details
25 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Child Care Services in Woodley, Berkshire
Willow Bank Pre-School has been providing high-quality early years education since 2001, building upon a legacy that began as a playgroup in the 1980s. Our purpose-built log cabin facility operates under the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, offering a safe and stimulating environment for children aged 2.5 to 5 years. With a dedicated team of qualified professionals, including Paediatric First Aid certified staff and Safeguarding leads, we maintain optimal adult-child ratios of 1:7 to ensure personalized attention. Our committee-led governance model involving elected parents ensures community-driven decision-making while maintaining Ofsted compliance.Through structured morning, afternoon, and extended sessions complemented by lunch club provision, we cater to diverse family needs. Our team's collective experience spanning decades in early years education demonstrates our commitment to nurturing developmental foundations through play-based learning. We maintain transparent admission processes with waiting lists starting at six months old, supported by clear policies on fees, funding options, and operational procedures.
Services
Child Care Sessions
Lunch Club
Extended Hours
Funded Spaces
Additional Sessions
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We maintain staff-child ratios better than Ofsted requirements at 1:7
- Our team includes Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding trained professionals
- Purpose-built facility designed specifically for early years education
- Committee-led governance ensures community involvement and fiscal transparency
- Lunch club and extended hours provide flexible childcare options
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
Services
Child Care Sessions
Morning and afternoon sessions for children aged 2.55 years include structured learning activities. Sessions operate from 8:4511:45 and 12:3015:30 during term time. Qualified staff deliver Ofsted-compliant early years education through play-based learning.
Extended Full Day
Extended hours from 8:4515:30 include lunch club provision for working families. The additional 5 charge provides continuous care throughout the day. Staff maintain 1:7 adult-child ratios during extended sessions.
Lunch Club
Supervised lunch sessions operate 11:4512:30 with 5 charge per session. Qualified practitioners ensure safe mealtime experiences while promoting social development. Available as standalone or add-on service.
Funded Spaces
Limited 30-hour funded placements available for eligible children. Funding applications processed according to local authority guidelines. Supports accessibility to early years education for qualifying families.
Additional Sessions
Flexible hourly sessions priced at 18.5028 depending on age and duration. Available for children over three and 2.5+ years. Subject to space availability outside core funded hours.
People
Emma
Manager
Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead with childcare experience since 1998. Holds HNC Level 4 in Childcare and Level 3 Senco qualifications. Oversees daily operations and staff leadership.
Amber
Deputy Manager
Deputy Manager with NVQ Level 4 in Early Years since 2014. Acts as Deputy SENCO and Deputy Safeguarding lead. Specializes in early years development and special educational needs support.
Vanessa Gatherer
Practitioner
Early years practitioner since 2016 with NVQ Level 3 qualification. Former childminder with language development expertise. Appointed Language Lead at the pre-school.
Kuldeep
Practitioner
Qualified early years practitioner since 2011 with NVQ Level 3. Serves as Lead First Aider. Brings extensive experience in childcare safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Diane
Practitioner
Experienced practitioner with 20+ years at Willow Bank. Holds Food Hygiene and Safety Officer role. Combines deep institutional knowledge with specialist food safety credentials.
Questions
What age range does Willow Bank accept?
We accept children from 2.5 to 5 years old. Registration can start from six months old to secure future placements.
Are staff qualified in childcare?
All staff hold NVQ Level 2–4 qualifications in childcare. We maintain Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding certifications for all practitioners.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept multiple childcare vouchers including Edenred, Care-4, and Kiddi Vouchers. Please check our website for current options.
Do you offer funded placements?
Yes, we provide limited 30-hour funded spaces alongside additional sessions available at standard rates. Availability depends on term-time capacity.
How are staff-child ratios managed?
We maintain a 1:7 adult-child ratio across all sessions, exceeding Ofsted's 1:8 requirement to ensure personalized attention.
