Willowdene Nursery School
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Chichester for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 17:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2023. Open since 1992, with 78 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in West Sussex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Sussex 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
PO20 2HWWhat 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, 26 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery. They are excited to arrive in the morning and are greeted warmly by the staff. Babies reach out their arms to their key person, demonstrating that they feel safe and secure. Staff have formed strong and caring bonds with the children, who clearly enjoy spending their time with the staff. Children show a positive attitude to their learning and benefit from a curriculum that has a strong focus on expression, personal skills and vocabulary.
They are confident and curious when exploring the wide range of exciting activities.
Staff are skilful at extending children's learning and plan activities based upon children's existing knowledge. For example, when children revisit a water play activity, staff add flower petals and a variety of containers. This supports children to explore and gain new vocabulary, such as 'scented', 'texture' and 'potion'.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen staff's skills in planning for and engaging those children who are younger, quieter or less confident, to ensure that all children fully benefit from the learning opportunities available.
- 26 May 2023Good
- 27 October 2017Good
- 5 February 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Willowdene Nursery School
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- 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
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? 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.