Parent Testimonials

“Our son, Dylan, first started Wishing Willow Day Nursery and Preschool in 2008 when he was around 7 months old and we were very aware of sending him to a nursery that he would be happy in. Having looked at some others in the area we felt Wishing Willow offered the best combination of facilities, activities for the children and general environment, and to date we've been very happy with our choice. Dylan has now been in 3 different rooms and in all cases the staff have been fantastic and he has been very happy. His key-workers have made a real effort to build a bond with him and it’s been reassuring to see how confident and secure he has been in each room. He's now about to start preschool whilst our 2nd son, Henry, will be starting at nursery in the New Year. All in all we've been more than happy with Wishing Willow and would be happy to recommend it to any parent looking for a good nursery in the Banstead area”.

Brad & Tara Parker - Parents

“Finding the right nursery for Callum was an easy decision once we had visited Wishing Willow Day Nursery and Preschool . Callum was 11 months old when I returned to work and we looked at a number of nurseries but as soon as we visited Wishing Willow, we knew it was the right place for Callum. We got a lovely feel as soon as we walked into the nursery, all the rooms were bright, happy and clean. We met some of the carers who were all smiley and friendly and I knew that I had found the place where I could leave Callum two days a week so that I could return to work.

Callum started in Bluebells and it is never easy to leave your child for the first time. I was nervous and emotional when I left Callum on that first day but the nursery was great and all the carers in Bluebells made me feel instantly at ease, they were so supportive on the first day to both me and Callum! I was told to phone whenever I wanted to check on him and for the first few times I phoned when I got to work and was reassured that Callum was happy and settled! Once Callum was settled in, I increased his attendance to three days a week as he enjoyed nursery so much and he was gaining a lot from Bluebells - he was quite a quiet and shy baby but his confidence quickly increased.

When Callum was two years old, he moved into Lil5lys room and he was there for one year. During this time I increased Callum's days to three and a half days as he was very happy, he made a 'best friend' and often talked at home about his friends from nursery. Lilly Room really helped his social skills and the carers in his room and the deputy manager of the nursery were very supportive when Callum went through a difficult time potty training. We agreed a joint approach so we could manage the situation.

Callum has recently moved to Sunflowers room and will be there for two years before he starts school. The nursery worked very closely with me over his settling in phase as Callum wasn't keen on leaving Lilly room but he has settled now and talks alot about the new toys in Sunflower room, he particularly loves the washing machine and the white board!

Callum loves going to Wishing Willow and often asks if he can go on a Friday morning, when it is his day off! Wishing Willow is always a happy place and I feel secure in the knowledge that Callum is very happy there!”

Trish Elsey – Parent

“Our daughter, Emily, joined Wishing Willow Day Nursery in May 2009 when she was 8 months old, attending 4 days a week. We wanted her to be part of a nursery where we knew she would be doing different activities every day and where she would meet new friends. Emily had really bad separation anxiety even at 8 months so we were concerned about how she would settle in. The staff were fantastic though and offered her extra settling in sessions before starting so that she could get used to the surroundings and all the new faces. It was hard to begin with, but Emily quickly settled into her new routine and became very fond of the staff in Tulip, the baby room, particularly Sam, who very patiently encouraged her to walk rather than bum shuffle round the room.

Soon after turning one, Emily moved into Daisy room where she has been really happy and developed so much in her self confidence and abilities. The move was difficult as she really didn’t want to leave Tulip but the Daisy staff were brilliant and she soon became very attached to them and the new little friends she has made. She loves all the activities, particularly the art work that she does almost every day, and she often comes home singing songs that she has learnt during circle time. She also loves playing outside in the garden and the trips to the parks. The little baking gifts that we sometimes receive at home time are lovely too – if a little messy! She’s now about to turn two and move up once more and I know she will enjoy the new opportunities she will get in Lily room.

Wishing Willow has given Emily so much – confidence, friends and lots of cuddles. We know that she is well looked after and happy and there is always a friendly face from Lucy or Jaime to greet us at the end of the day. Even though it is a big nursery, it has a family feel and even the staff from the older rooms often stop to say hello to Emily as we head home. Being part of the PNA also means that I can be further involved in the nursery and contribute to how it develops. I’m so glad we chose Wishing Willow and we’re looking forward to introducing our second child to Tulip room in just over a year’s time.”

Kate Lloyd- Parent

“When I was due to return to work after my maternity leave looking for childcare that I felt would match the care I gave at home would be an impossible task! We had high expectations of what we wanted a nursery to be and to feel assured that Lexie was being cared for in a relaxed, educational, welcoming and professional environment. Wishing Willow was the first and only nursery we visited. From our initial telephone enquiry to our first settling in session to 4 months down the line Wishing Willow has met and exceeded our expectations.

I was filled with mixed emotions about returning to work, leaving Lexie being foremost and was dreading the thought of leaving her for her first day. Due to Wishing Willow offering settling in sessions it made the whole process of going back to work much, much easier. After these sessions and on the lead up to returning to work my anxieties faded as I knew Lexie was in excellent care.

Lexie has been at Wishing Willow for four months now and has just moved into a new room with great ease. The organisation of the staff and her settling in sessions were fantastic. We were informed of when she was going into her new room and on her progress. The care she has received has been first class.

The staff have made our family feel so welcome. Lexie is developing day by day and is clearly enjoying her time at the nursery.”

Rachel Romain- Parent

“There are few things in parenthood as heartbreaking as leaving your child at nursery for the first time. There's tears on both sides, but having spent a lot of time looking at nurseries, it was made slightly easier knowing we were leaving her at a place as good as Wishing Willow.

On the two occasions we had visited there, we had been very impressed by the staff that work there - they had been very friendly, helpful and open to any questions, exactly what you're looking for when trying to find someone to trust your child with. The nursery itself looked clean, secure and full of things to keep young minds stimulated. Mila began in May and took a little while to settle in, often crying when we dropped her off and picked her up, though quickly settled into a routine. The girls in her room were always very good with her and it was nice to get an update on what she had been doing during the day, such as what she had eaten and the activities she had taken part in. After three months, Mila was moved to the Tulip room with older children and it was here that she really came out of her shell - now we barely have time to get her coat off before she's running in to see her friends or have a cuddle with one of the girls. In terms of her development and interaction with others, the nursery has been wonderful for Mila and it's great to see her smiling face when we come to collect her at the end of the day.”

Nicola Mouton-Brian and Graham Brian? - Parents