Located in Ainslie Park Football Stadium, Willow Den at Spartans offers a unique woodland setting based in the heart of urban Edinburgh, for children from age 3 up to when they join primary school.
Our nature-based nursery has access to a hidden garden through our ‘secret gate’. It is the perfect environment to connect with nature – do some climbing, swinging or even build a den or have fun in our mud kitchen.
Children can see some of Scotland’s top female sporting athletes in training, and if your wee one chooses they can engage in play-based sport.
We are a funded partner provider to City of Edinburgh Council so you can use some or all of your 1140 hours with us. We accept a wide range of childcare vouchers as well as Tax Free Childcare for payment of non-funded sessions or additional hours.
You’re bound to have questions…
We often get asked questions by parents interested in Willow Den, so here we’ve answered some of the most common questions to put your mind at ease.
- What is being at Outdoor Nursery like? (parents reveal all!)
- Why is Outdoor Nursery great for wee ones?
- What will happen when the weather is bad?
- Outdoor vs indoor – will my child learn as much at an outdoor nursery?
- How do we get started at Willow Den?
Check out the video below to get a feel for what life is like at Willow Den…
Fees & Funding
FUNDED PLACES AVAILABLE
We have Funded Partner status with City of Edinburgh Council and offer full year(50 week) fully funded places. We can accommodate split placements (where you split your hours between Willow Den and another provider)
Included:
- two course hot meal
- morning snack
- afternoon snack
- waterproof clothing for children attending 2 or more sessions per week & available at significant reduction if attending less than 2 sessions per week
- 10% sibling discount for the eldest child (on additional private hours booked)
View our current menu:
Used all your funded hours? You can buy more!
| Fees 2024/25 | Hours | Day Rate | Monthly cost per day |
| Full Day | 8.00am – 5.00pm | £62.00 | From £259 |
| Half Day (Friday only) | 8.00am – 12.30pm | £32.50 | From £136 |
Registration
***Pre-registration is open for fully funded, split placements or fee paying spaces***
If your child was born between 1st January 2022 and 28th February 2022 they will be eligible for their funded hours from April 2025.
If your child was born between 1st March 2022 and 28th February 2023 they will be eligible for their funded place in 2025/26.
If you don’t want to wait for funding then your child can start from their 3rd birthday (pending availability)
Visit the Nursery
Come along to meet the manager, get a tour of the setting and answer any questions you have about sending your little one to a fully outdoor nursery!
Make your way to our cosy welcome cabin at Spartans Community Foundation, where our Manager, Sandi, or Deputy Manager, Alex will be happy to meet you to show you around the nursery.
If you cannot find a date a time slot to suit you in the form below, please contact Spartans@willowden.scot and we will be happy to take you through the pre-registration process and arrange another time to visit the nursery.
Spotty Otter
We’re proud to partner with outdoor clothing brand Spotty Otter.
Our collective aim to get more children outdoors is a match made in heaven. We know that Spotty Otter make top quality outdoor clothing, and we are proud to include this in our offering.
Any child signed up to attend a Willow Den nursery will get kitted out with Spotty Otter gear at low or no cost (depending on booking pattern)
Holiday clubs
Join one of our holiday clubs running during the school holidays. Drop-off sessions are available for children from the age of 3 to not yet started primary school.
We’ll spend our days in the fresh air learning in the great outdoors, and doing fun activities, making some delicious soup on the fire or cooking up magic in our mud kitchens!
Community Partner
Spartans Community Foundation 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 programme
- Community Football
- Coaching programmes
- Youth Work Provisions
- Volunteering Opportunities
For more information on Spartans Community Foundation programs contact: 0131 552 7854 or Debbi McCulloch at debbimcculloch@spartanscfa.com
We have created a magical and creative setting at Willow Den
From climbing frames to wooded trails, every corner of Willow Den is an invitation to adventure.
At Willow Den, play is the cornerstone of learning. Outdoor play encourages creativity, problem-solving, and physical development. Whether engaged in imaginative role-play or experimenting with natural materials, children are supported to follow their interests and explore at their own pace.
FAQ
You probably have lots more questions, and we would really like the chance to answer these.
We’ve compiled a handy list, to give you an idea of the Willow Den experience
Ainslie Park
94 Pilton Drive
Edinburgh
EH5 2HF
0131 376 0080
CI Registration Number: CS2021000369
Opening Times:
Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm
Nursery Closure Dates
Funded Partner of City of Edinburgh Council
