Welcome to Willows Pre-School / Nursery
Hello, I am Dr. Kevin Rigley, the CEO of Willows. I took on this role in 2017 after my wife, Galyna, passed away. I was adamant that Galyna’s legacy, the WillowsWay®, her pioneering pedagogy that has been helping children thrive for more than fifteen years, would continue to provide children with the best possible start in life, I immersed myself in the field of childhood education and explored various teaching methodologies and styles.
It became apparent that the last decade has seen an explosion in scientific understanding of how the brain works. I am pleased to say that the latest science now explains why the Willows Way has been so successful in helping children thrive.
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The Willowsway®: Nurturing happy, Resilient Children at Willows Pre-School
Welcome to Willows Pre-school! We are excited to introduce you to the WillowsWay®, our unique approach to early childhood education designed to help your child become the best version of themselves.
At Willows Pre-school, we believe that happiness is key to a child’s success and well-being, and we have crafted our educational philosophy around this idea. Here’s how the WillowsWay® makes it happen.
The WillowsWay® is based on the latest brain science, emphasizing the importance of what we call autonomic flexibility. This is a fancy term for the body’s ability to adapt to stress and stay calm under pressure. When a child has good autonomic flexibility, they can handle life’s ups and downs with more ease and joy.
Our approach focuses on four key areas: good nutrition, regular exercise, practicing gratitude, and building meaningful relationships.
Good Nutrition
What your child eats can greatly affect their mood and ability to concentrate. We provide balanced, nutritious meals at Willows Pre-school to ensure that your child’s brain and body are fueled for learning and growth. A healthy diet helps reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to lower stress levels and better emotional health.
Regular Exercise
Physical activity is not just good for the body; it’s also great for the mind! Exercise helps kids manage stress and improves their mood by boosting happy chemicals in the brain. At Willows, we incorporate plenty of fun, active play into each day to keep your child moving and smiling.
Practicing Gratitude
Teaching children to appreciate what they have can lead to increased happiness and reduced anxiety. We encourage our students to express gratitude daily, whether through simple thank-you or more structured activities. This habit helps them focus on the positive aspects of life, promoting a happier outlook.
Meaningful Relationships
Strong, supportive relationships are crucial for emotional well-being. At Willows Pre-school, we foster a warm, inclusive community where children learn to build friendships and feel connected. These positive interactions are foundational for developing confidence and resilience.
What Parents Say
Sarah
A quick note to say, as I have told you in person a few times already, how fresh and fun the new equipment is in the garden/soft play outdoor area!!Thank you for enhancing the options for the kids by adding new things to adventure and play on. Also the rolling...
Nadine
It’s great to see the addition of new equipment in the outdoor area! Amelia showed me the new “kitched” and the seesaw with great enthusiasm. The toys look like they will be good for all the age groups, Ella also immediately took an interest when she saw them at pick-up....
Urszula
Quick note from to say the outdoor area is looking superb at the Hammersmith Pre-School. The lovely natural equipment is very much enjoyed by Lilla and appreciated by us. It looks great! I would equally like to express my gratitude to Joanna who clearly organised and tidied the entire outdoor...
Adriana and Ross
Dear Hammersmith. Thanks to you and the staff (teachers, cleaners and kitchen workers) for their hard work and dedication with our kids. Rafael loves nursery and he has blossomed into this confident and smart little boy. We are very excited to see what comes next in the future.
...Parent
Hi Joanna, I thought I would drop you a line to say how impressed I am with Willows Preschool. I looked at a number of local nurseries, but your explanation of how children’s brains develop and the Willowsway convinced me. It was the best decision I have made for ?????...
Giulia & Andy
I just wanted to take the opportunity to express how happy we are with the care that the Willows team is showing every day in nurturing our Arianna. She’s been at Willows for only a month, but as a parent, big little things are already evident. Valerie, Debora, Didi, the...