Play & Education
Willows Farm Day Nursery & Pre-School is a one-of-a-kind experience set in the heart of the countryside at Willows Activity Farm, where children enjoy endless opportunities to learn and grow.
We believe that children learn best when they’re having fun! Our Nursery and Pre-School teams embrace a ‘Planning in the Moment’ teaching approach, allowing our dedicated team to transform any child-led discussion or activity into a rich learning experience, supporting children’s natural desire to explore and learn.
Book your show around of Willows Farm Day Nursery today!
Babies and Pre-Toddler Rooms
From 6 weeks to 24 months (Dependent on individual child’s needs)
Ratio 1:3
Our purpose-built Baby and Pre-Toddler Rooms provide a safe, caring, and engaging environment where your baby can feel right at home. With stimulating activities using movement, sound, colour, and touch, babies are encouraged to explore, grow, and enjoy their “second home.” Outdoors, your child will have access to a special baby area in our gardens and regular visits to Willows Activity Farm for age-appropriate adventure play and time with farmyard animals.
We believe learning should always be fun. With our “Planning in the Moment” approach, our team can create spontaneous, child-led learning experiences from any play activity. For more details, feel free to download our FREE e-book.
A Caring, Supportive Nursery Team
We work closely with you to mirror the routines your child enjoys at home. Through regular updates from your key person, we help ensure that feeding, nappy changes, and sleep routines align with your practices.
Your daily fee includes free formula milk, prepared by a senior member of staff, and, as they grow, enjoy fresh, healthy meals as they transition to solid food.
As your child develops, they will move from our Baby Room to the Pre-Toddler Room, progressing through our Toddler Rooms, and finally into Mini Farmers, preparing them for their move on to school.
Toddlers
From 24 to 36 months (Dependent on individual child’s needs)
Ratio 1:4
In our Toddler Rooms, every experience is a chance to learn, explore, and have fun! With a more structured approach than our Baby Room, toddlers enjoy a diverse range of exciting, hands-on activities designed to stimulate and engage. Weekly music and movement sessions bring extra joy to their routine, while early math exploration, language development, creative play, and story-time foster essential skills in a playful way.
We believe learning should be fun and spontaneous. Using our “Planning in the Moment” approach, our team can transform any activity into a meaningful learning opportunity. To learn more about our teaching philosophy, download our FREE e-book.
A Partnership with Families
Your child’s key person works closely with you to mirror home routines, including potty training, ensuring a comfortable and consistent experience for your child. Our Toddler Room also offers a cosy quiet zone for naptime and relaxation.
Access to Willows Activity Farm
When it’s time for outdoor adventures, toddlers have exclusive early access to Willows Activity Farm, where they can explore the farm’s extensive outdoor and covered play areas. From meeting farm animals to nature-based activities, every day brings new experiences and opportunities for discovery.
When they’re ready, toddlers transition to our Pre-School rooms, where even more exciting adventures await!
Mini Farmers
Pre-school Years from 3 to 5 Years (Dependent on individual child’s needs)
Ratio 1:8
As part of our close partnership with Willows Activity Farm, we are rebranding Pre-School as Mini Farmers to reflect the incredible farm-based learning opportunities your children will enjoy.
Our goal in Mini Farmers Room is to ensure that every child feels ready, confident, and excited for their transition to school.
Led by our qualified practitioners and guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, our structured program offers a wealth of rich and varied activities to help them grow and develop.
As Mini Farmers, the children will take part in hands-on activities such as filling and weighing animal feed bags, grooming ponies, planting vegetables, mucking out stables, and learning about tractors with detailed explanations. These experiences will not only be fun and engaging but will also help develop key skills like responsibility, teamwork, and problem-solving.
We believe that learning should always be fun! Our “Planning in the Moment” approach empowers our team to transform any activity into a spontaneous learning experience. For more on our teaching methods, download our FREE e-book.
Celebrating Graduation
When it’s time to move on to primary school, we celebrate with a memorable graduation ceremony! Families are invited to join us for a graduation service, complete with caps and gowns, a children’s concert, BBQ, and children’s entertainment—a perfect way to celebrate this exciting milestone together!
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MINI FARMER
At Willows Farm Nursery, every day is thoughtfully crafted to inspire and nurture our Mini Farmers. Through a mix of hands-on farm activities, outdoor adventures, and cosy indoor experiences, we create a well-rounded routine filled with joy, discovery, and relaxation.
Set in a beautiful countryside setting, our nursery offers endless opportunities for children to connect with nature, care for animals, and learn through play—all while developing essential skills and forming lasting friendships. Take a look at what a typical day as a Willows Mini Farmer looks like!
Supporting Special Educational Needs at Willows Farm Nursery
At Willows Farm Nursery, all children, including those with special educational needs (SEN), enjoy the same exceptional education within a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Surrounded by nature and calm animals, our SEN children benefit from a soothing, supportive atmosphere that encourages connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
How We Support SEN Children:
Our practitioners, all trained in early years education, are experienced in supporting children with SEN.
We work to integrate children with special needs as fully as possible, adapting activities to ensure they can access our enriched curriculum. Our team adjusts teaching methods to accommodate individual needs, allowing all children to benefit from our nurturing outdoor setting and interaction with animals.
We offer tailored resources and dedicated learning time with key persons to help children with special needs thrive. For those with more complex requirements, we provide a customised curriculum, targeted activities, and access to specialists, ensuring each child has the support they need to flourish.
Visit our Day Nursery
January Enrolment Week: Saturday 25th January – Saturday 1st February 2025 (excluding Sunday 26th).
The perfect opportunity to experience Willows Farm Day Nursery and Pre-School in action. Attending our Enrolment Week will allow you to be shown around the site, meet the team, and ask any questions you may have! Please book only one ticket per family:
Enrolment Week
Book a Personal Show around
Can’t make the Enrolment Week? No worries. We can offer mid-week show arounds for you to come and view the nursery.
Contact us on moc.seiresrunyadmrafswolliw@nimda or call us directly on 01727 829535 to experience what makes Willows Farm Nursery so special!
Are you eligible for FREE funded childcare?
Are you missing out on free government-funded childcare? Download our FREE funded childcare eBook, telling you everything you need to know regarding the new government grants and eligibility criteria.
Download our funded childcare ebook
