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Willow Cottage Nursery Schools are located at Farmoor (nr. Cumnor, Oxford) and Eynsham (nr. Long Hanborough, Witney). They offer parents the highest quality childcare "Second to Mum" and a complementary preschool education of excellence. Parents can leave their child with confidence, knowing that they are in a happy, safe, and loving environment. We enjoy a longstanding reputation for the high standards that our children achieve within the Early Years Foundation Stage. | (Established in 1983)
Find out more by watching our Video!
*Please note that in order to safeguard and protect the privacy of our children, all visits to view the nursery are strictly by appointment and subject to a future place being available for your child.
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The highest quality childcare for your child because of the continuous investment we make in our resources and facilities, and the importance we give to “hand picking” our staff and to effective team building.
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A personal welcome for your child.
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A very reliable service.
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”The leadership and management is OUTSTANDING" |
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Look at what's new for our OUTDOOR CLASSROOM provision!
It's Willow Whale (A living Willow den).
Willow Whale will now offer a multitude of play and role-play opportunities; from a leafy play space where children can relax and watch nature with their friends, to an outdoor dining area, rocket, or shady story time cosy corner!
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The books from our Highly Commended Fun Food Family Packs are now available in print from all good on line booksellers such as Blackwells, Waterstones, Smiths, and Amazon etc.
Mr. Willow Children’s Stories & Rhymes are also available via our website
Mr. Willow Children’s Books contain a wealth of early science concepts, sensory activities and other educational suggestions to extend your child’s learning .... all encourage early cookery and provide a healthy recipe to make together.
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Willow Cottage Nurseries, Oxford, finalists in this year's Nursery World Award's were Highly Commended for their delivery of nutritious nursery food and their enthusiastic approach to delivering healthy food education.
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We are excited to announce that we have been nominated in this year's finalists in the Nursery World Food Awards 2011. This award is independently judged by a public health nutritionist and included nurseries from all over the UK. We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted.
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5 Stars again for Willow Cottage, Farmoor and an Elite Food Award for consistent standards of Excellence.
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Willow Cottage Nurseries welcomes the new Tickell report set to reduce the unecessary bureaucracy within the Early Years Foundation Stage which forces teachers and nursery practitioners to spend too much time on paperwork.
The report was carried out by Dame Clare Tickell Children's Minister. She told BBC Breakfast that "it is incredibly important to put in high-quality childcare early on for children - it has an enormous impact on their life chances later on."
The review into how the system works has described it as "too bureaucratic" .....
The key proposals outlined today include.......
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Once again the benefits to children of being read to by their parents is being highlighted by the latest research.
"Children are much less likely to develop social and emotional problems in later life if they are read to, according to the latest study from Essex University. Professor Yvonne Kelly, who led the study explains the findings." 2011 06 13
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Mr. Willow's Nursery Food Matters Campaign continues with his new initiatives to educate young children in healthy food matters and so to help fight chidhood obesity and its related diseases. On 4th June a consultation meeting was held with staff and parents at Willow Cottage Nurseries Oxford as to how best to develop his new Family Fun Food Packs!
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"This is great news for early year's professionals, children and parents alike.
Dame Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, is due to publish her recommendations of less bureaucracy within the Early years Foundation Stage.
2011/04/01
To watch the video of her findings of the Early Years Foundation Stage click <here>
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The latest government review recommends that nurseries and childminders should follow practical guidance on what children under five should eat and drink in early years settings.
Click <here> for the full report.
Childminders, Nurseries, Parents and Childcarers - Transform your food provision instantly, economically and practically - go to <nurseryfoodmatters.com>
Left - A typical healthy main course at Willow Cottage Nursery - Traditionally farmed chicken and vegetable curry with rice and a selection of fresh vegetables to the side. Fresh Chapatis made by the children earlier that day as part of their fun food education.
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Eating chips, chocolate and cake may be damaging to a child's intelligence, according to researchers at Bristol University. Bristol University study suggests a link between a diet high in processed foods and a slightly lower IQ.
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As part of our Language, Literacy and I.C.T. provision for children attending Willow Cottage and their family, we are compiling our own very special video library of children’s stories, rhymes and poetry.
The stories, rhymes and poems selected have been personalised and recorded by our own nursery practitioners to provide interaction, familiarity and therefore extra enjoyment for the children. Children can now listen to, join in with, and enjoy these stories, rhymes and poems both at nursery and with their family at home. Please note that this should be an activity led and overseen at all times by an adult member of the family.
01/02/2011
Why are children's stories rhymes and poems so important?
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We are all aware now that a healthy diet in the early years influences a child's growth and development and their educational attainment. (More information on the research findings is available on our website) We also know that it is vital that a child's diet contains good quality fats (dairy, oily fish etc) since these foods contain the important "fat soluble" vitamins (A,D,E, & K). These vitamins especially Vitamin D are really important for a child's bone and teeth development. Some of the body's need for Vitamin D can be met by sufficient sunshine since it is made by the sun's action on the skin. Lack of outdoor play and too much of a high factor suncream are taking its toll. Why? ......read on <here>
18/01/2011
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Julie DeBanks who has worked at Willow Cottage for over 20 years has been HIGHLY COMMENDED in this years finalists for The Nursery World Awards 2010. Her award comes for her committment and dedication to raising the standards for the chlldren and the staff she serves. CONGRATULATIONS!
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Willow Cottage Nurseries were named finalists in the 2010 Nursery Food Awards. The Food Quality Team Marion Brodeur, Valerie Grady, Chris Trottman.... and last but not least Mr. Willow! (The Bear Chef).
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CONGRATULATIONS to Ben Taylor from our Eynsham setting was named finalist in the category "Newcomer of the Year" in the 2010 Nursery World Awards. The awards were held at the Lancaster Hotel in Lancaster Gate, London.
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Just a small part of Willow Cottage Nurseries, Oxford - successful team. These very special and highly valued members of the Willow Cottage Nurseries Team have over 120 years of service between them! WOW!
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Willow Cotage Nursery Staff raise funds for Breast Cancer Charity.
See more photos in the Willow Cottage password protected photo gallery.
(Log in for Staff and Parents only)
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ITV News captures David Cameron M.P. visiting Willow Cottage Nursery at EYNSHAM, renowned for its healthy food provision and "Fun Food Education".
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David visited us recently when he planted an apple tree and opened our new classrooms. We all thought that it was great role-modelling when David took a short break from the clamours of Westminster to plant a special apple tree for the children in the nursery garden and to promote the importance of "growing your own" fruit and vegetables.
David’s apple tree and the classrooms are dedicated to promoting the well-being of children, their learning and development, through play and having fun. We hope that they will serve many children over many years to come.
To see the story of the apple tree click <here>
To see the photos click <here>
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David Cameron spends some time with the children of the kindergarten who are "rooting" through the vegetables!
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SKY TV visits Willow Cottage Nursery at FARMOOR promoting this independent investigation into the quality of foods served to children when attending nursery.
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Professor John Stein F.R.C.P. of Oxford University says:-“There is now overwhelming evidence that infants' nutrition plays a very important part in optimal development of their brains.
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At the O.C.C. Early Years Providers Forum on Wednesday 8th October 2008, Willow Cottage Nurseries addressed a meeting of Early Years practitioners from across the county on: “Healthy Food, and why it is so important in the lives of children in their Early Years”.
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Willow Cottage Nurseries at Eynsham & Farmoor were named runner-up in the first National Nursery Food Award 2007/2008 at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham.
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