Willow Den at Spartans

“Play is the work of the child”

Maria Montessori

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What does Willow Den offer?

Children engage in play-based learning, in spaces where they have adventures, use their imagination, build, design, and create, develop their curiosity and language skills through conversation and asking questions. We make mud pies and maps, we follow paths, we find and create dens and special places. With base camp located in Ainslie Park Football Stadium, there are plenty of opportunities for children to engage in physical play and learning. Children can see some of Scotland’s top female sporting athletes in training and can if they choose, can engage in play based sport . We are a nature-based nursery with access to the woodland through our hidden garden and ‘secret gate.’ Here children can explore our natural environment. The woodland is perfect for connecting with nature, climbing, swinging, and building dens. Mud is so popular our mud kitchen has a dedicated space if it’s own.

Through positive experiences and interactions with skilled early years staff, children learn early literacy, numeracy, science, art, and technology. Most of all, we offer learning through play that builds confidence and self-esteem, in a fun, caring, and stimulating environment. You can more information on the early level curriculum we provide here.

Willow Den at Spartans was inspected by the Care Inspectorate in June 2023, achieving Grade 5 – Very Good across the board.

You can see the full report here:

How much does it cost?

• two course hot meal
• morning snack
• afternoon snack

For more information download our current Fee Schedule:

Funded Places

For more information on funded places, check our our FAQs

Forest Fridays

Open to all children aged 3 to not yet at primary school, these are flexible drop off sessions which can either be booked as ad hoc sessions (pending availability) or part of your child’s weekly booking pattern. Sessions run weekly from 08.15am to 12.30pm including lunch for just £30.00 per session.

Funded hours can be used for children registered to attend our core provision or if booking Forest Fridays as a weekly attender.

To register for Forest Fridays complete and enquiry with ‘Forest Fridays’ in the subjects

Who will take care of my child?

Willow Den at Spartans has a team of staff trained in early years education, and outdoor play-based learning. All of our staff are required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council and are recruited in line with our safe recruitment policy. Staff access regular training as a commitment to their continued professional development and the nursery’s ethos of ongoing improvement.

Where can children go to relax and get warm?

Children are busy at the outdoor nursery but there are times when they will want to snuggle down for a story, a rest, or maybe even to take 40 winks.

We have converted fully transparent dug-outs into a dining area/shelter. This space draws the sun and creates lots of natural heat. While we are outside we create all kinds of dens and shelters with tarps, tents, and ropes. Out in the park, we will even have hammocks for impromptu rests and cloud gazing! In high wind or very bad weather, we have access to indoor space within Spartans buildings.

What food will be available?

We provide a hot lunch every day with both a morning and an afternoon snack. Children will be able to grow their own vegetables and have fun preparing snacks, sometimes we even cook on our open fire pit.

Our community partner Spartans Community Football Academy

Spartans Community Football Academy offers much more than football. Spartans are mindful of the challenges facing many children, young people, and their families in the local area. By adding an outdoor nursery to their existing facilities and community coaching programmes, Willow Den and Spartans can support even more children to change their lives through active outdoor play and sport.

• School holiday programmes
• Community Football
• Coaching Programmes 
• Youth Work Provisions
• Volunteering Opportunities

For more information on Spartans Community Football Academy programs contact: 0131 552 7854 
or Debbi McCulloch at debbimcculloch@spartanscfa.com

Children attending Willow Den outdoor nursery will all have the opportunity to take part in sport and physical activities.

Standards & Quality Report Improvement Plan 2023/24

As part of our ongoing self-evaluation and as partner providers with City of Edinburgh Council, the team are working together to create and improvement plan for the year. This plan sets out our whole nursery’s priorities and tasks for the year ahead and helps us to reflect, improve and strive for excellence.