WILLOW PARK
MONTESSORI NURSERY
Parent Information
Everything you need to know about daily life at Willow Park, from our experienced team to term dates and meals.
Our Team
At Willow Park, we are proud of our dedicated and experienced teaching team. Many of our teachers have been with us for a number of years, providing continuity, trust and a deep understanding of early childhood education.
All of our teachers are passionate about working with young children, creating a calm, engaging and supportive environment where every child can thrive.
Alongside relevant qualifications, all staff hold Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding training. We also provide regular in-house training, and our team attend external courses through local borough services and professional bodies to ensure their knowledge and practice continues to develop.
Leadership Team
Maura McMahon
Nominated Lead & Founder
Maura founded Willow Park in 1992 and brings over 40 years of experience in early years education. Montessori trained and formerly involved with the NSPCC, her values continue to shape the nursery today.
Christine Gray
Nursery Principal
Christine oversees the day-to-day running of the nursery. Montessori trained, she maintains a high standard of care and a calm, well-structured environment for children and staff.
Destiny Hall
Nursery Manager
Destiny supports the daily operation of the nursery, helping to create a warm, welcoming environment where children and families feel supported.
Admissions
Parents are welcome to begin the admissions process by booking a visit to the nursery.
If you wish to secure a place following your visit, you will be asked to complete a Registration Form along with a £100 non-refundable registration fee. Once an offer has been made, a place can be secured with a deposit.
If a place is not immediately available, families may join our waiting list at no cost. When a space becomes available, we will contact you to confirm whether you would like to proceed.
As we are a small nursery, places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to siblings.
Please note that we offer full-day care only, with a minimum attendance of two days per week. The nursery operates for 45 weeks of the year.
Term Dates
Our nursery operates across three terms each year. Key dates for upcoming terms are listed below for parents and carers.
Spring Term 2026
Term starts: 6 January
End of term: 27 March
Autumn Term 2026
INSET Day: 1 September
Term starts: 2 September
End of term: 18 December
Summer Term 2026
Term starts: 13 April
End of term: 7 August
Spring Term 2027
Term starts: 4 January
End of term: 25 March
Summer Term 2027
Term starts: 12 April
End of term: 6 August
Meals & Nutrition
Our meals are freshly prepared each day by our experienced cook, providing children with nutritious and delicious food. We believe that healthy eating in the early years helps establish positive habits for life.
Children are offered breakfast, lunch and an afternoon tea, along with two snacks each day. All meals are nutritionally balanced, with milk and water provided, and fresh drinking water available throughout the day.
Mealtimes are an important part of the day and are enjoyed together in small groups. Children are encouraged to develop good table manners, try new foods, and take part in conversations with staff and peers in a calm and social environment.
Where possible, children are involved in serving themselves and clearing away, helping to build independence, confidence and practical life skills.
We operate a Summer and Winter menu on a two-week rotation and can cater for individual dietary requirements where needed.
