Welcome to Willow Den
Willow Den Outdoor Nurseries are uniquely designed for children.
Our aim is simple, we want parents in Scotland to be able to choose an outdoor nursery experience for their children. That’s why we created Willow Den. Our nurseries are safe yet exciting, where children can connect with nature, in green spaces close to home.
We believe outdoor play is a life-enhancing experience, that’s why we want all of Scotland’s children to thrive outdoors.
Our practitioners will skilfully support your child to explore, experiment, research, and master new skills. At Willow Den we will support your child to be healthy, happy, and resilient; to form friendships, to learn vital skills, and to have fun.
Learning outdoors in the natural environment enables children to follow their curiosity and to develop their knowledge and skills across the entire early level curriculum. Research clearly and consistently identifies outdoor play as vital to emotional, physical, and mental health and well-being and critical to all aspects of childhood learning and development.
Together, we are Willow Den.
“Of all the paths in life, make sure a few of them are dirt”
John Muir Naturalist
Willow Den, Spartans, Edinburgh, July 2023. Michael Westcott Films
Why Outdoors?
Willow Den aims to embed outdoor play and learning into the fabric of Scottish life so that all of Scotland’s children can thrive outdoors.
Fees & Funding
At Willow Den, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity and access to affordable, high-quality learning and education.
Read our Blog
Partnering with Spotty Otter to get the best outdoor gear for your little pups
Now, he’s an OTTER you can’t refuse! We’re proud to be partnering with outdoor clothing brand Spotty Otter. Our collective aim to…
A warm Willow Den welcome
A new families’ experience of joining the Willow Den community. “With a year to go before starting school, we decided…
High praise from Care Inspectorate
Willow Den at Spartans, Scotland’s first outdoor nursery at a football facility, received 5’s across the board in its first review visit by the Care Inspectorate.
“If we want our children to move mountains, we first have to let them get out of their chairs“
Nicolette Sowder
