The Willow Set Preschool
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Taunton for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025. Open since 2011, with 24 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
We accept Early Years Funding.
What childcare usually costs in Somerset
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Somerset from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
TA3 6EGWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 25 April 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Leaders demonstrate clear curriculum intentions, such as providing children with opportunities to develop their social skills, build relationships and become independent learners. Children gain the fundamental skills they need for future learning. Staff deliver a well-sequenced curriculum, helping to build on children's skills and knowledge as they move through the setting. Staff place toys purposefully to encourage babies to reach out, helping to develop their core muscles in preparation for crawling. Older children demonstrate excellent pencil control as they meticulously draw houses. This supports children's early writing skills. Staff model new language and pronounce words clearly for children to hear.
For example, younger children explore sea animals and repeat 'great white shark'.
Children are confident communicators. Outside, staff and children excitedly search for bugs and children say, 'The beetles have scuttled away.' Staff praise children for the 'lovely words' they use, building children's self-esteem and confidence. Children excitedly continue their learning independently as they mark off which bugs they find. This helps children to consolidate their learning. Children are motivated and curious learners.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- review the organisation of group times to minimise distraction, helping to further enhance children's attention and focus.
- 25 April 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 1 August 2024Needs improvement
- 24 October 2019Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Willow Set Preschool
- What it costs
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
Some of this is above, from the setting or from parents, and it can go out of date. The rest is in no dataset anywhere. Either way it is worth ten minutes on the phone.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- How do you apply my funded hours? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.