Business Details
25 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Pre-School in Woodley, Berkshire
Willow Bank Pre School has been dedicated to early childhood education since 2001, building upon a legacy of childcare provision that dates back to the 1980s when our premises operated as a playgroup. Our purpose-built log cabin facility, established in 2011, provides a safe and stimulating environment for children aged 2.5 to 5 years. We maintain strict compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework while offering flexible childcare options including morning, afternoon, full-day, and extended sessions. Our team comprises qualified professionals with extensive experience in paediatric first aid, safeguarding, and special educational needs coordination.A parent-led committee oversees strategic operations, ensuring community involvement in our decision-making processes. We maintain an adult-to-child ratio of 1:7, exceeding Ofsted's minimum requirements. Our staff include specialists in language development, health and safety, and food hygiene. We accept childcare vouchers from multiple providers and offer limited 30-hour funded spaces. Prospective families can arrange visits to experience our nurturing environment firsthand through appointments with our management team.
Services
Morning Session
Afternoon Session
Full Day
Lunch Club
30 Hours Funded Spaces
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- Qualified staff with specialist expertise in childcare and special needs
- Parent-led committee ensures community involvement and accountability
- Inclusive environment meeting Early Years Foundation Stage requirements
- Flexible session options including extended hours and lunch club
- Exceeds minimum Ofsted staff-to-child ratios
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Qualified staff
Safe environment
Flexible hours
Effective SEN support
Parent involvement
Services
Morning Session
Structured morning childcare sessions from 08:45 to 11:45 during term time. Qualified staff deliver age-appropriate learning activities in a secure environment. Ideal for developing social skills and early learning foundations.
Afternoon Session
Afternoon childcare provision from 12:30 to 15:30. Focuses on creative play and structured learning. Maintains 1:7 staff-to-child ratio for personalised attention and safety.
Lunch Club
Supervised lunchtime provision from 11:45 to 12:30. Includes nutritious meals and social development activities. Staffed by qualified practitioners with food hygiene certification.
30 Hours Funded Spaces
Eligible families can access 30 hours of government-funded childcare weekly. Sessions meet Ofsted standards with qualified staff ensuring curriculum compliance and developmental progress.
Special Educational Needs Support
Tailored support for children with additional needs. Led by qualified SENCO professionals with specialist training. Individual learning plans developed in collaboration with parents and specialists.
People
Emma
Manager
Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead with childcare experience since 1998. Holds HNC level 4 in Childcare and Level 3 Senco qualifications. Oversees daily operations and staff management.
Amber
Deputy Manager
Deputy Manager with NVQ Level 4 in Early Years. Serves as Deputy SENCO and Deputy Safeguarding lead. Has worked in childcare since 2014, supporting staff and children across sessions.
Vanessa Gatherer
Language Lead
Early years practitioner since 2016 with NVQ Level 3 in Childcare. Specialises in language development. Former childminder with extensive experience in early communication skills.
Kuldeep
Lead First Aider
Qualified early years practitioner since 2011 with NVQ Level 3. Responsible for first aid provision. Ensures medical preparedness across all sessions.
Diane
Food Hygiene Officer
Experienced practitioner with over 20 years' service. Manages food safety standards. Holds NVQ Level 3 qualification and ensures nutritious meal provision for children.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children from 2.5 to 5 years old, with registration possible from 6 months old for waiting list purposes.
Are staff qualified in first aid?
All staff hold paediatric first aid qualifications and safeguarding certifications, with a qualified first aider on site at all times.
Do you offer funded childcare places?
We provide limited 30-hour funded spaces alongside standard fee-paying sessions for eligible families.
How are waiting lists managed?
Children are placed from 3 years old based on waiting list registration. A £20 non-refundable fee and birth certificate are required for registration.
What are your session times?
Term-time sessions run Monday-Friday: Morning (08:45-11:45), Afternoon (12:30-15:30), Full Day (08:45-14:45) and Extended Full Day (08:45-15:30).
How is the committee structured?
Our parent-led committee includes elected members serving minimum one-year terms. They meet twice per term and handle policy reviews, staffing and strategic decisions.
