The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Willow Farm Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Little Willows combines a purpose-built nursery with teacher-led learning and an outdoor programme that calls its youngest learners Little Willow Wildlings. This is Willow Farm Primary School’s nursery in Gedling, for children aged 3 and 4. It opened in September 2025.
There are 26 places for children in the year before Reception. Younger children aged 3+ may gain a small number of additional places later in the year, depending on availability. In January 2026, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to be Strong standard. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Play and adult guidance work together here. Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which brings together seven areas of development: talking and listening, movement, relationships and emotions, reading and writing, mathematics, creative expression and understanding their surroundings. The emphasis on communication, physical development and social confidence gives learning a practical starting point.
Child-led exploration sits alongside activities guided by adults. Staff use children’s interests and existing knowledge to plan their next steps. In January 2026, early years children were developing language and mathematical understanding through play and conversations with adults. They were also learning to cooperate, follow routines and do more for themselves. An organised learning environment helped them choose activities and build basic skills.
Talk for Writing adds storytelling, drama and actions to the EYFS experience. Children rehearse language aloud, giving them a way to explore a story before working towards writing. Outdoors, the WOODS programme (Weekly Outdoor Opportunities for Discovery and Skills) includes an EYFS stage named Little Willow Wildlings. The school grounds include woodland and mud kitchens, providing physical settings for exploration rather than keeping learning entirely indoors.
A teacher leads Little Willows, supported by a teaching assistant working in the class every day. The Early Years Lead holds an Early Years degree and the National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL). This combines classroom staffing with specialist early years leadership.
Relationships and individual understanding were strengths in January 2026. Adults took account of children’s needs and interests, while partnerships with parents helped establish what each child could already do. Emerging needs were picked up early, with families and outside professionals involved in arranging additional help, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Arbor messages provide updates about Little Willows, keeping class communication in one place. Lunch can be included with either a morning or afternoon session, and lunchtime supervision carries an additional charge for those patterns and full days. Families should ask the school for current charges.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Nottinghamshire County Council’s coordinated admissions scheme and meet the normal application deadline. Choosing Little Willows and applying for school are separate decisions; nursery attendance should not be treated as securing the next place.
Sessions run during term time, Monday to Friday. The standard morning is 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Full days run from 8:45am to 3:30pm. Morning sessions with lunch finish at 12:30pm, while afternoons with lunch begin at 11:45am. Each of these patterns is offered across five days per week.
Flexible days or combinations require agreement and depend on availability. Session preferences cannot be guaranteed. Wraparound care is also offered for families needing longer hours.
Funding includes 15 hours for all children aged 3 and 4, and 30 hours for eligible working families. Sessions outside funding are charged separately. Use the General Enquiries form to register interest or begin a nursery application. Children can start in the term following their third birthday: summer for January to March birthdays, autumn for April to August, and spring for September to December.
The nursery is for children aged 3 and 4, with 26 places for the year before Reception. A small number of places for younger children aged 3+ may become available later in the year, depending on availability.
Yes. Full days run from 8:45am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday during term time, subject to availability. Lunchtime supervision has an additional charge.
Flexible days and combinations are possible, subject to availability and agreement. Session choices are not guaranteed.
No. A separate application is required through Nottinghamshire County Council’s coordinated admissions scheme, by the normal deadline.
Little Willows sends class messages through the Arbor app.
