The Willow Set Preschool

Village walks, a school preparation group and play that moves freely outdoors give The Willow Set Preschool its character. Based within the grounds of Stoke St Gregory Primary School in Somerset, it combines preschool provision with care before and after school and a holiday club. The setting has 24 places in total, a capacity figure rather than the number of children attending any particular session.

At its 25 April 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good overall, with Outstanding judgements for behaviour and attitudes and personal development. There was a specific improvement point: distractions during group activities sometimes prevented children from getting fully involved. That distinction matters for parents weighing the positive account of children's relationships against how organised learning works.

Preschool sessions run during term time, with separate wraparound and holiday arrangements. The different strands make this more than a preschool-only option for local families.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for children's learning and care: play develops communication, movement, relationships and early understanding of the world. Here, small world play and role play sit alongside physical activity and creative exploration, giving children different ways to practise language, solve problems and work together.

A main play space includes a wet play area, with a kitchen and toilets within the premises and free access to outdoor play. That arrangement lets exploration extend beyond an indoor activity table. The rural surroundings also connect the setting with families involved in farming and willow growing, placing everyday learning within a recognisable village context.

In April 2025, activities were adapted to different stages of development. Babies reached towards deliberately positioned toys, while older children practised controlled drawing. Staff introduced vocabulary through sea animals and conversations about insects outdoors. Children then checked off the bugs they had discovered, linking talk with observation and independent activity.

Early literacy also took several forms in April 2025. Younger children joined songs with movements; older children played with the opening sounds of names. A lending library let children choose books to share at home. These examples connect early reading preparation with enjoyable activity rather than relying on a single group lesson.

Outdoor and Community Life

Village walks and exploration of the park extend the preschool day beyond its own play space. The Friday rising 5’s group helps older children prepare for school, with support from Stoke St. Gregory Primary School. Its transition work brings the people involved with a child together, aiming to maintain continuity as that child moves into the next stage.

In April 2025, children grew vegetables in the potting shed, visited an allotment and experienced bus journeys and local walks. They also explored local traditions, including wassailing and the Glastonbury Festival. A sports coach visited weekly, adding organised movement to daily exercise. These were practical experiences of the surrounding community, alongside opportunities to develop physical skills.

The Moor Fun Club provides holiday activities for children aged 2 to 11. Gardening, roller skating and cooking feature alongside arts and sport, with free play also part of the offer. This is a separate holiday strand, useful for families whose childcare needs continue when preschool term-time sessions stop.

In April 2025, children used the colour monster to identify their feelings and talked them through with staff; at that inspection, Ofsted found strong emotional support and effective safeguarding arrangements. The useful detail is the conversation that followed the choice: children had a way to express an emotion and help to understand it.

Everyday independence also received attention in April 2025. Children prepared healthy snacks and poured drinks for themselves. They showed consideration towards babies and worked together in play, making relationships part of daily activity rather than a separate lesson.

Coffee mornings brought parents and staff together in April 2025, and staff offered advice about toilet training and dental care. This gave families practical points of connection between home and preschool. A special educational needs coordinator role is part of the team, while the rising 5s transition work is designed around each child's individual needs.

Food is part of the wraparound routine. Breakfast includes cereals and toast, with a changing additional dish; the after-school club provides a small meal or snack at 4pm. For children using those clubs, eating and play are both built into the session.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Stoke St Gregory Primary School, Huntham Lane, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton, TA3 6EG. Preschool sessions are offered from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday during term time.

Sun Up runs from 7.30am to 9am. Sun Down starts at 3pm or 3.15pm and finishes at 5.30pm; staff take school-age children to Stoke St Gregory Primary School at 8.45am and collect them at 3.15pm. The Moor Fun Holiday Club opens from 7.30am to 5.30pm, five days a week.

Bookings can be arranged in half-hour blocks, with a minimum booking of one hour, and must be made at least 24 hours beforehand, subject to availability. This gives families a shorter booking option alongside the preschool day and wraparound sessions. Cancellation requires four weeks' notice for pre-booked term-time sessions and two weeks for holiday club bookings, so changes to a regular pattern need planning.

Funding and Paid Extras

Early Years Funding and tax-free childcare are accepted. Paid childcare is also offered, and current prices come in the nursery's written quotation. The opening times and fees page sets out the booking and cancellation arrangements. Enquiries can be made by telephone or email.

The preschool's position within school grounds makes its transition activities relevant to families considering that school. The nursery describes its Friday rising 5’s group as supported by Stoke St. Gregory Primary School. Attending preschool does not guarantee a Reception place; families still use the local authority admissions process.

• Group learning. In April 2025, distractions sometimes interrupted children's engagement in planned group activities. On a visit, ask how these activities are now organised and how staff help children stay involved.
• Booking changes. Short bookings still require at least 24 hours' notice, while cancellation of pre-booked term-time sessions requires four weeks. These terms matter if work arrangements change frequently.
• Starting with a younger child. Babies were part of the April 2025 provision. Discuss the accepted starting age, settling arrangements and the daily care routine for your child before choosing a pattern.
• The funded childcare budget. Early Years Funding is accepted. Request a written quotation covering the funded attendance pattern, additional paid hours, food and non-food consumables so the whole arrangement can be assessed together.

The Willow Set suits families seeking term-time preschool sessions, shorter flexible bookings or school wraparound care, with a separate holiday option. Its village setting and Friday school preparation group give the offer a clear local identity. The April 2025 account provides concrete examples of language, independence and considerate relationships, while the organisation of group activities remains a useful point to explore on a visit. Booking deadlines and cancellation notice deserve equal attention: educational fit and practical fit both matter here.