Willow Tree Nursery

Willow Tree Nursery is a small Hayes setting with capacity for 15 children aged two to five. Ofsted rated it Good in August 2022, finding close relationships between children and staff, a stimulating curriculum and effective safeguarding arrangements.

The dated observations give this nursery a practical, hands-on character. Children explored colour and texture through craft materials, planted seeds, recycled waste and built physical confidence outdoors. These are inspection-era observations rather than a promise about today's timetable, but they show how the curriculum worked in practice at the visit.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes learning through play, conversation and carefully chosen activities, building children's communication, physical, social and early academic skills together. In August 2022, staff brought that framework to life through stories with props and expressive voices, songs and rhymes, counting objects and number recognition during garden hopscotch.

Creative work had real substance. Children combined sequins, tissue paper, glue and wheat while making pretend ice creams, exploring texture and colour rather than simply completing a template. Outdoors, scooters, balls and climbing equipment developed balance, throwing and catching. Seed-growing and recycling connected everyday activity with food production and care for the planet.

A limitation was clear. Adults led too many activities, reducing children's opportunities to make their own choices. The provider was asked to improve the balance between adult direction and child-led play.

Relationships were a clear strength at the 2022 inspection. Children settled well, staff knew them as individuals and morning group time used greeting songs and conversations about feelings to help everyone feel included. Children learned to share, take turns and use scissors safely, while staff reinforced simple group rules.

Parents received daily notes about care and learning, alongside suggestions for activities at home. Staff had also undertaken autism spectrum disorder training. This evidence is encouraging, although it records practice at the inspection rather than a current staffing or support promise.

Safeguarding was effective at the inspection. Staff understood signs of harm, kept their training current and checked that premises and resources were clean and safe. CCTV covered the nursery. Ofsted also wanted everyday routines to build younger children's self-reliance more consistently.

The nursery operates from The Apostolic Church, Willow Tree Lane, Hayes, UB4 9BB. The current provider record covers ages two to five and 15 places in total.

At the 2022 inspection, the nursery accepted funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Current written terms should clarify eligibility, attendance patterns, meals, consumables and any other charges.

• Child-led choice. Ofsted asked the nursery to reduce the tendency for adults to lead most activities. Families can look for how children now choose resources, extend their own play and change direction during the day.
• Independence for younger children. The 2022 improvement point called for routines that developed self-reliance more consistently. Ask how children now practise managing age-appropriate tasks during the day.
• Current booking details. The record supplies weekday opening hours but not bookable session patterns. Request the nursery's current session options and written funding terms before comparing it with other settings.

Willow Tree Nursery's small capacity and the warm relationships recorded in 2022 will appeal to families who value a compact setting and practical learning through stories, craft, growing and outdoor movement. The Good judgement and effective safeguarding finding are positives. The decisive questions are whether child-led choice and younger children's independence have strengthened since the inspection, and whether the current booking model suits the family's week.