Business Details
9 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Preschool Education in Oxfordshire
Established in 2017, Willow Cottage Day Nursery School Farmoor provide high-quality childcare and preschool education across three Oxfordshire locations. Our settings in Eynsham, Farmoor, and Bletchingdon offer children a safe, nurturing environment with abundant outdoor learning opportunities. We prioritise nature connection, physical play, and healthy relationships with food, aligning our curriculum with Birth to Five guidance. Our experienced team, including qualified educators and OFSTED-recognised practitioners, tailors activities to individual interests while ensuring developmental progress. We maintain transparent communication with parents, offering regular updates and collaborative support.Our facilities feature age-appropriate resources and direct garden access, fostering holistic growth. With a proven track record of preparing children for school transitions, we combine structured learning with spontaneous play. Our OFSTED-inspected practices highlight staff expertise in creating engaging experiences, from sensory activities for infants to obstacle courses for older children. We uphold rigorous safeguarding standards and maintain strong community partnerships. Our commitment to excellence has earned recognition through positive inspection outcomes and parental testimonials.
Services
Childcare
Preschool Education
Outdoor Learning
Healthy Meals
Parent Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We offer OFSTED-rated 'Good' childcare with proven educational outcomes
- Our team includes qualified early years professionals with 7+ years' experience
- We implement a nature-inspired curriculum with extensive outdoor learning
- We maintain 1:4 staff-to-child ratios for personalised attention
- We provide three convenient Oxfordshire locations with purpose-built facilities
What people say
Exceptional outdoor facilities
Dedicated, qualified staff
Smooth school transitions
OFSTED-recognised practices
Healthy meal options
Services
Childcare
Our childcare service provides a secure, stimulating environment for children aged 0-5. Qualified practitioners deliver individualised care plans aligned with developmental milestones. We maintain low staff-to-child ratios to ensure attentive supervision and emotional support, operating across three Oxfordshire locations with extensive outdoor play areas.
Preschool Education
OFSTED-recognised preschool education following Birth to Five guidelines. Our curriculum combines structured learning with child-led exploration, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Thematic activities like dinosaur hunts and obstacle courses engage children in practical knowledge application within a nurturing environment.
Outdoor Learning
Daily outdoor learning experiences utilise our Oxfordshire countryside settings. Children develop physical coordination through puddle splashing, gardening, and nature walks. Our curriculum integrates environmental awareness with hands-on activities that promote risk assessment and teamwork in natural play spaces.
Healthy Meals
Nutritionist-approved menus featuring home-cooked meals and fresh produce. We accommodate dietary requirements while teaching children about balanced eating habits. Mealtimes incorporate food education through cooking activities and sensory exploration of different textures and flavours.
Parent Partnerships
Collaborative approach to child development with regular progress updates and parental involvement opportunities. We offer transition programmes for school readiness and maintain open communication channels through dedicated family liaison officers and digital platforms.
People
Ruth Salway
Head Teacher
BEd-qualified educator with 15+ years' experience in early years education. Oversees curriculum implementation and staff development across all nursery settings. Specialises in nature-based learning and child psychology.
Jess Mills
Setting Manager
Experienced nursery manager at Owls Leat, Eynsham. Holds Level 3 childcare qualification with special responsibility for infant care provision. Implements daily operations while maintaining OFSTED compliance standards.
Toni Gaul
Setting Manager
Oxleys Farm manager with expertise in outdoor learning environments. Develops nature-based activities and maintains safety standards across external play areas. Holds Level 3 Forest School qualification.
Sam Hitchman
Setting Manager
BSc-qualified Early Years Professional at The Old School, Bletchingdon. Specialises in transition programmes for school-ready children. Coordinates community engagement initiatives and staff training programmes.
Valerie Grady
Proprietor
Founder and educational visionary with PGCE qualification. Developed the nature-inspired curriculum framework. Oversees strategic direction while maintaining hands-on involvement in policy development and quality assurance.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We care for children from 6 months to 5 years across three age-specific departments at each setting.
Are meals provided?
Yes, we offer nutritionist-approved home-cooked meals, snacks, and drinks included in our fees.
How do you support school readiness?
Our curriculum includes structured learning, transition programmes, and OFSTED-recognised preparation activities for smooth school integration.
What are your staff qualifications?
All staff hold Level 2+ childcare qualifications, with managers possessing degrees and specialist certifications in early years education.
How can parents stay informed?
We provide regular progress updates, parent-teacher meetings, and digital communication through our family liaison system.
