Willow Tree Preschool

Frog life cycles, fruit salad and jungle-animal play give Willow Tree Preschool a concrete character: learning connected to things children can watch, make and act out. In October 2023, these experiences sat alongside conversations about health and opportunities to practise climbing and balance.

Ofsted rated the preschool Good on 19 October 2023. Based in Haywards Heath, it caters for children aged 24 to 60 months and has 24 places in total.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and physical development into their day. In October 2023, planned experiences included making fruit salad and pretending to move and sound like jungle animals. These gave children practical ways to explore food and use their imagination.

Regular nature-reserve outings in October 2023 brought life cycles into view, including watching frog spawn develop into frogs. Climbing and balancing equipment gave children opportunities to practise movement, while learning about Polish celebrations introduced another country's customs.

Conversation accompanied activities in October 2023, with staff explaining what was happening and discussing children's ideas. There were two clear weaknesses: adults sometimes moved on before children could formulate an answer, and missed opportunities to extend mathematical ideas arising in children's own play. Both matter because a planned activity is only part of learning; children's questions and discoveries need room too.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities responsive to individual needs, including collaboration with specialists and visual timelines to help children understand routine changes.

In October 2023, staff knew children's personalities and abilities, helping relationships develop around the individual child. Parents received updates about activities, achievements and next learning steps, alongside ideas for healthy eating and lunch boxes. That connected learning at the setting with life at home.

By the October 2023 inspection, staff had received training on responding to children's behaviour and helped children express emotions appropriately. Teaching observations, feedback and peer discussion supported staff development; additional funding had also paid for sports equipment. Conversations about dental care gave health education a practical everyday purpose.

The address is Barn Cottage Pavillion, Barn Cottage Lane, Haywards Heath, RH16 3QN. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. This timetable makes the setting a practical consideration for families whose childcare needs fit the term-time day.

In October 2023, the preschool received funding for early education for children aged three and four. That is a dated participation detail rather than a promise of a funded place.

• Time to answer. In October 2023, children were sometimes given too little thinking time after questions. On a visit, look for adults pausing and listening before moving the conversation forward.
• Child-led mathematics. In October 2023, staff sometimes missed mathematical interests emerging through play. Look for how practitioners extend children's spontaneous ideas alongside planned activities.
• Funding arrangements. The October 2023 funding offer covered three- and four-year-olds. What funded attendance arrangements and associated charges would apply to your child?

Willow Tree Preschool suits families seeking term-time care within a 9am to 3pm opening window. Its October 2023 experiences combined practical cooking, imaginative play and nature-reserve outings, with useful links between learning and everyday health. The Good judgement provides a dated quality benchmark; giving children thinking time and extending their mathematical interests remain the clearest points to weigh.