A message from the Directors
‘Being the Managing Directors of Blue Willow Day Nursery is both challenging and rewarding in equal measure. We started childminding in 2010 to earn a living and make sure our own children received good quality care after they were born.
Our values shape who we are. We want children to be able to access nature so outdoor play is promoted all day in all seasons. Children are not separated into age group rooms, they play together in an open plan environment. Blue Willow children are strong and independent. They have an active role in our community and understand their actions can make a positive difference in the place we live.
‘We love seeing children grow and flourish at Blue Willow. We allow them to manage their own risk safely. We enjoy watching the innocence and enthusiasm children have over simple things, like jumping in puddles on a rainy day. This is something we all lose as we get older, but the children’s enthusiasm is contagious. Before we know it, our practitioners find themselves outside splashing in the muddy puddles themselves. Amazing!
Our passion for working with children has taken us on an extraordinary journey and we wouldn’t change a thing!
– Yvonne Martin and Pav Holman
Age Groups
Yellow Beeches
For 0-3 years old
Yellow Beeches is for our youngest children up to the age of 3. Baby Beeches within this group tailors needs specific for babies.
Children in this group have free flow access to pre school children inside and outside.
Green Elms
For 3-5 years old
Green Elms are our pre-school aged children. Children join this group if they start from the age of 3, or move from Yellow Beeches when they turn 3.
Children within this group also have free flow access to the younger Yellow Beech children, but learning is tailored to ensure learning is age appropriate and they are ready for school.
What we Offer
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor play is vital for young children to be able to explore, risk-take, nurture confidence, fine and gross motor development and communication and language skills. Nature provides all these opportunities in abundance without the need to provide artificial equipment in an enclosed environment.
Nature Group
Our Outdoor Oracle at Blue Willow supports the outdoor environment for children and runs our Little Saplings Nature Group.
Blue Willow children enjoy:
· Stacking and rolling tyres down the mound in the construction area
· Make petal potions in the mud kitchen
· Burying acorns in the sandpit.
· Collecting autumn leaves and make leaf mobiles
· Counting conkers
· Lying down and watching the changing clouds in the sky
· Finding their binoculars to take part in squirrel watch
· Going on a nature hunt
Homely Environment
Our aim is making sure children feel safe, secure and happy as they would in their own homes. We are more than a childcare setting. We are an extension of home, with comfy sofas, lamps, rugs and a record player that plays a variety of music as children arrive!
The nursery is open plan, with designated cosy areas. We’ve used warm, natural colours to provide a calm and tranquil environment. Children are greeted individually as soon as they arrive. They choose their welcome stone which is taken to their key worker for comfort and reassurance, before they get on with their day.
Children are encouraged to get involved in daily tasks. Thy will help practitioners feed the fish, water the plants and sweep the floors. When they are happy and engaged, they are learning all the time.
Authentic and Natural
Resources at Blue Willow are kept as natural as possible. We have spent many hours with our teams in antique stores and car boots looking for curious items that will inspire curiosity and open-ended play.
A plastic telephone that lights and up and rings will entertain a child, but it is limited to do one thing and used for one purpose. However, if you replaced the phone with a stick for example….
Mixed Aged Socialising
Blue Willow has 2 age groups of children, Yellow Beeches is 0-3 years and Green Elms is 3-5 years.
Each group has different areas of the nursery as their base, but we operate a free flow environment. Children can play and explore their favourite areas of the nursery and play with friends and siblings easily.
We believe mixed aged socialising support children’s development, and comes from a childminding aspect. Older children learn how to be caring and tolerant towards younger children, and younger children mimic and learn from the older children. In our experience, it works really well.
Confident, Independent Children
We believe in promoting the fundamental building blocks that create happy, confident, and capable children.
Blue Willow children play outside and learn to risk take in a safe environment.
They are involved in daily tasks setting the table and sweeping the floor.
Regular exposure to mathematics and literacy through play ensures they are strong and equipped to learn when they start school.
We want children to make secure attachments, and be confident around adults and other children. We encourage friendships, sharing and the ability to do as much as they can independently.
Dedicated Practitioners
Our practitioners are the most valuable resource we have. They are hardworking and passionate about working with children. They will work closely with families to make sure children are happy and achieving their goals at Blue Willow.
Download Parental Pack
Please contact us to arrange a visit and we can provide you with a registration form on the day.
Alternatively you can print and return a copy to us via email or to us directly. We will then book you in for a visit, and confirm a place for your child.
We couldn’t be happier with our experience at Blue Willow. Our boy has developed a lot from when he first started. This place is wonderful, the outside space is absolutely fantastic. There have been lots of a new changes and developments to the nursery and garden, which made the setting even better.
The activities that Blue Willow carry out are excellent as it allows children to learn and enjoy at the same time. The main selling point for me was their amazing garden. There was many benefits like fresh air, space to roam, mixed age groups( encouraging the younger kids to learn and the older kids to show the way), child led play, learning about the nature, being allowed to play and just be kids.
Management and all practitioners are very attentive, welcoming and friendly. They are very passionate about their jobs and always there to help if needed.
Blue Willow – You’re doing a great job!
Thank you for everything, we are missing You all so much!
Agata Grzeskowiak
Anthony’s Mummy
My little one enjoyed his nursery days at Blue Willow. They are very professional, caring. They paid a lot of attention to my little one, helping his personality development and communication skills. I wish you all the best and thanks again for all your love and support which you have shown to Rohit.
R Kumar
Rohit’s Daddy
My child has been so happy. Staff are very helpful and supportive. Children have been cared and educated very well. Definitely highly recommend for the best childcare.
