Willows Primary School Nursery Review

Play, songs and a personal classroom display give the nursery at Willows Primary School its character. Part of the school's Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), it follows an approach built around children's interests, with time for their own exploration as well as adult guidance. Children have a place to show work they feel proud of. Parents can follow their learning online and contribute their own observations, connecting experiences at home with those in class.

Children take the lead in some play; adults guide other learning. The EYFS approach here centres on exploring, persevering and developing ideas: trying something unfamiliar, sticking with a difficulty and finding another way to solve a problem. Children practise these habits through their own play and learning guided by adults.

A class floor book gathers activities and children's comments throughout the year. Children can return to it to recall earlier experiences and discuss what they remember. Each child also has an individual classroom display space, called a locker, where they can ask to exhibit an achievement before eventually taking the contents home. That gives children a say in which work gets shared.

In April 2024, Ofsted found that nursery children enjoyed songs and rhymes, which supported their preparation for phonics. Festival learning in the early years included Lunar New Year. However, the early-years curriculum lacked sufficient clarity about the knowledge children should acquire and how learning should develop through nursery into the next class. Ofsted found that these weaknesses left children insufficiently prepared for learning in Year 1.

Activities were sometimes poorly selected, limiting children's thinking and the depth of their learning. Resources and the learning environment were also used inconsistently. Curriculum planning. The April 2024 findings called for clearer learning content and better activity choices. For families, the distinction matters: enjoyable play needs purposeful teaching to help children build knowledge over time.

Online learning journeys record individual achievements and remain accessible to parents, who are encouraged to add contributions. This provides a continuing connection with classroom learning, beyond the work children bring home.

ELSA, or Emotional Literacy Support, gives the EYFS team a route for addressing emotional needs. Support usually takes place individually, with small groups sometimes used for friendship and social skills. Activities include puppet role play, games and creative work. The team reviews needs each half term and identifies children for a weekly programme lasting 6–8 weeks.

Class teachers, senior leaders or the SENDCo can refer children. ELSA offers targeted emotional support rather than a promise to resolve complex difficulties; the school can help parents with specialist referrals where needs exceed that support. This distinction sets a useful expectation for families considering help with anxiety, friendships or managing feelings.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception process. The school's admissions page directs Reception applicants to Trafford County Council, while nursery enquiries go to the school office. Treat these as separate steps when planning your child's move into school.

For nursery enquiries, telephone the school office on 0161 980 7685. Willows Primary School is on Victoria Road in Timperley, Altrincham, WA15 6PP. The office can also be contacted at admin@willowstimperley.com.