Little Downsend Epsom

6 Norman Avenue, Epsom KT17 3AB
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9.5 32 Reviews
  • Little Downsend Epsom, Epsom
Little Downsend Epsom is one of three Little Downsends, and part of the Downsend School group, caring for children aged two to seven, in a warm and welcoming environment. Little Downsend Epsom was rated 'Excellent' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in June 2022.

The welcoming and caring atmosphere at the setting ensures children feel safe and settled. Focusing on a nurturing approach, the team encourage every child to expand their natural curiosity, explore the world around them and challenge their thinking. Little Downsend has been shortlisted in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2022 as 'Independent Pre-Prep of the Year'.

In First Steps and Rising Reception, children are encouraged to participate in play-based learning, promoting their skills in reading, writing and numeracy. Children are taught in small classes with a focus on personalised learning.

A Downsend education goes far beyond the basics - specialist teaching in dance, French, music, sport and Forest School takes place weekly with special activity weeks and themed days planned across the year to inspire new ideas for learning.

Little Downsend Epsom has a large outdoor play space, including sandpits, large fields for running, a garden for growing vegetables as well as scooters, cars and diggers. They encourage their children to explore their environment, to get fresh air and to learn in the outdoors.

All children in Nursery are supported to use technology appropriately, working with iPads and the very best ed-tech apps to support their learning. Little Downsend has joined the Microsoft Showcase Schools Programme and is currently following the Incubator Pathway.

Little Downsend offers flexible options, monthly payments and a pay-as-you-go holiday club.

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Care Provided by Little Downsend Epsom

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lisa Burns (Head of Little Downsend)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 40
  • Total Places for Children
  • 60
  • Age Range
    • from 2 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Holiday club offered

Funding & Fees Guide for Little Downsend Epsom

  • First Steps (Age 2) and Rising Reception (Age 3):
    From September 2023, the extended full-time daily rate, from: 07:45 to 18:00 is £103.01.
    A full day runs from: 07:45 – 16:00 at a cost of £88.01.
    Extended Day runs from: 16:00 – 18:00 at a daily cost of: £15.
    Little Downsend offers different rates depending on how many half days per week your child will be with us.
    Little Downsend offers a 'pay as you go' holiday club.

  • Please note, that we provide monthly payment options for our nursery year groups.
  • Parking

  • It is advised to park in Windmill Lane where there are 2 pedestrian paths that lead into Denham Road or Norman Avenue.


Little Downsend Epsom Reviews (32)

Total of 32, showing 21-32
9.5

Little Downsend Epsom has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.456) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Little Downsend Epsom has 32 reviews.

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Review from Sarah A (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our two daughters joined Downsend Epsom in Sept 2019. Our youngest is in Rising Reception (pre-school) and was in First Steps last year. The school has a wonderful nurturing environment and is very friendly. The facilities are great with fantastic outdoor space including separate play areas for each
class and a lovely garden. In the pre-school classes there are weekly PE, Dance, Cooking, Music and French lessons as well as Forest School. You receive photos of their day via an app. Communication with teachers is excellent and they are very accessible, the teachers greet the children at the door each morning and the Head is also there. The level of communication continued throughout lockdown with activities/learning via an app, lots of face to face interaction and online lessons for older years. Our daughters love going to school every day and as parents we highly recommend Downsend Epsom.

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Review from Kim A (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Downsend Epsom is the perfect environment to start school life for little ones. My son has been going there since he was 2 in First Steps and he is now in his final year before moving to Main Site and we already know just how much we will miss it. The staff are exceptional, the school is so small
it has a real family feel to it and each and every teacher knows your child personally and genuinely has their very best interest at heart. The grounds are lovely with great play areas and the classrooms feel very cosy and there are always so many fun activities going on at this school. During the lockdown, they went absolutely above and beyond to continue successful learning and the teachers were always available. I have recently had another baby and am already excited at the prospect of him joining First Steps because I know how much he will thrive. My son always comes home happy and that, in itself, says it all. We feel very lucky to be a part of this school.

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Review from Natasha G (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started at Little Downsend in September in the pre-reception class. I honestly cannot recommend the school highly enough - they focus on inspiring the children through a broad range of activities, including forest school, french and dancing. These have all continued safely during COVID and my
son has benefited hugely. The standard of teaching is high and my son has made good progress with phonics and numeracy since he started. More importantly than anything, he is incredibly happy at the school, which is a testament to the caring staff and the nurturing environment provided.

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Review from Michael C (Father of Child) published on 17 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Downsend Epsom is an excellent school and day nursery. From First Steps (2+) all the way through to year one (5+), the staff are always incredibly focused on the children, their learning and general wellbeing. The staff really care and put a lot of effort into ensuring the children have a fantastic
learning and fun experience.

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Review from Chetna V (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I highly recommend Little Downsend Epsom to any parents. It is the best decision we have made by choosing this school/nursery. Staff are highly qualified, experienced and calm. There are a variety of activities such as dance, French, science, forest school, etc. delivered by specialist teachers which
is very impressive. School facilities are very good. We believe this nursery prepares children for life. The headteacher is very approachable. Last but not least, class teachers are very nurturing and as a result, we have seen our daughter thoroughly enjoying her school whilst learning tonnes of new things. Thanks a lot.

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Review from Tharidu G (Father of Child) published on 16 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Very good school and it’s been a joy seeing the development of our daughter who has now been with Downsend Epsom for 3 years. The teachers are fantastic - loving and caring and they have been a pleasure to deal with as parents. My daughter's personality has come about leaps and bounds and the school
needs to take a lot of credit for that. Highly recommend the school.

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Review from Louise P (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my sons attend Little Downsend Epsom. My youngest son is currently in First Steps. I am absolutely delighted with the experience they are both having. It is such a friendly and nurturing environment. Small class sizes mean they get a lot of attention and the curriculum is so varied and creative.
The grounds are great - a really large garden and different play areas. Every morning each child and parent is greeted by the Head of School (socially distanced currently). The support received during lockdown was fantastic. Contact with teachers every day, materials to work on at home and face to face screen sessions with teachers for older children. I would highly recommend this a school. Every day that I drop my children off I am thankful that they get to come to this fantastic school. One of the best decisions we have made.

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Review from Victoria (Mother of Child) published on 4 July 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very friendly and nurturing environment for young children to thrive in. Great communication from teachers to the parents and they are always striving to make it fun and varied for the children. I can’t fault them!

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Review from Alexandra C (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We moved our child from an “outstanding” nursery where she wasn’t getting anywhere near the level of attention and stimulation that she needed.


We are very happy with Downsend. I noticed a huge difference in my daughter from day 1 there.


The staff ratios are fantastic 4 children to 1 staff member,

and they are all qualified teachers (a huge plus compared to other providers!)


The environment is calm but stimulating, the children learn about a different topic each week and have a huge range of activities such as dancing, music, French, cookery, ready steady go and drama. They also encourage the children from age 2 to stand up and talk in front of the class, which will pay huge dividends in the future for self-confidence.


It is such a dramatic difference from a standard nursery or preschool setting and I am so impressed with the standard of care provided.


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Review from Emma K (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a wonderful, friendly and caring nursery. My son has loved every minute and has had the opportunity to participate in a whole range of fantastic learning opportunities. The staff work incredibly hard and are always welcoming. We will miss being part of such a great place.

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Review from Gemma M (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely staff, excellent teaching, up to date equipment, always informative, excellent food standard.

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Review from Harshna C (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter joined Downsend Pre-Prep Epsom in February 2018. Since joining she has developed and progressed incredibly well. My daughter is happy and enjoys the settling, friendly, nurturing staff and the lovely children. It was the best choice we made when choosing Dowmsend Pre-Prep Epsom.

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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.456)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.456) out of 10 for Little Downsend Epsom is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.989 for Little Downsend Epsom is calculated as follows: ( (94 Excellents x 5) + (1 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 95 Ratings = 4.989

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.467 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Downsend Epsom is based on 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.8

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 60 number of registered child places is 12. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 12 = 0.667

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

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Meet the Team (1)

Vanessa

Vanessa Conlan

Job Title: Headteacher - Little Downsend

Joined: 2018

An experienced teacher of 20 years, the last 8 in headship, Vanessa is a graduate of the University of Southampton where she obtained a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education with music specialism.


Vanessa has taught in a range of schools through her career, Her strengths lie in teaching, learning and assessment and her passion lies with the Early Years and getting the very best start in education for every child. Vanessa is a mother of 2 energetic young boys, is a Harlequins Rugby club season ticket holder and loves to travel, camp and listen to live music with her family.


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