Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford)

Old Road, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7JU
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9.9 191 Reviews
  • Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford), Oxford
Julia Durbin Day Nursery is located within the grounds of Churchill Hospital and caters for children both in the local community and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Trust.

Homely surroundings and a thoroughly resourced facility allows the nursery's highly trained practitioners to achieve high standards of early years education across the age ranges.

Parent partnerships are promoted and developed whilst long opening hours and a fully inclusive package offer a convenient service to busy families.

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Care Provided by Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford)

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Emma Wallbridge (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 54
  • Total Places for Children
  • 164
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:00-18:30
    Tuesday 07:00-18:30
    Wednesday 07:00-18:30
    Thursday 07:00-18:30
    Friday 07:00-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Inset Days
  • Parking

  • Free parking is available onsite.


Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) Reviews (191)

Total of 191, showing 61-80
9.9

Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.867) out of 10, based on 32 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) has 191 reviews.

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Date Published

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Review from Nicholas K (Father of Child) published on 18 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The entire team have been brilliant.
Our daughter has loved it and we have been thrilled to have her attend Julia Durbin nursery.
Facilities and staff are super friendly and kind.
We are moving and therefore we have to find somewhere else.

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Review from Henri G (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I continue to be blown away by the support the staff at Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) are giving to my daughter and us. She has many sensory and anxiety issues but the staff in preschool have been nothing short of remarkable with their tireless efforts to help our daughter, constantly trying new
ideas, bringing in new sensory toys, clothes and also giving us huge volumes of feedback via the app. Sometimes we find our daughter incredibly trying, frustrating and I know she has her moments at nursery but we are so amazed by everyone's willingness to help. Our daughter is having support from various therapists but we feel that the support that she is receiving from Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is far more valuable than all of this therapy put together. Everyone is just making her so relaxed and comfortable in the room which is just great for helping her anxiety levels. Thank you!

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Review from R C (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter who is one years old has been at Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) for just over two months and we are delighted with the nursery. The staff in the Caterpillar room are friendly and approachable, they always make time for clear, concise communication at pick up and drop off and are knowledgeable
in answering any questions. Furthermore, the team have clearly got to know our daughter and have made an enthusiastic effort to incorporate whatever are her current interests. We have been pleasantly surprised at the level of personal attention she has received, as evidenced in feedback, both verbal and through the app and our daughter's development. At home she has 'made up' games which relate to things done during nursery and it has been lovely to see her grow in this way.

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Review from Suzanne L (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We highly recommend Julia Durbin Day Nursery. Our eldest attended preschool, and now he is in Reception he still talks fondly of the staff and friends he made there. The preschool team were fantastic at getting to know our son's strengths and difficulties and supported all his keen interests (lots of
dinosaur activities!). He absolutely loved the fun activities preschool included, such as yoga, discos, hatching chicks in spring, sports day, bonfire sparklers, Christmas shows, the list goes on! Julia Durbin did a brilliant job helping him prepare for starting school. Our youngest is now starting her settling in sessions and it is wonderful to see the team again.

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Review from R W (Father of Child) published on 6 November 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Extremely engaged and caring staff, flexible and helpful management and it's all really fun and safe environment for our daughter. Very pleased and impressed!

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Review from Lucy G (Mother of Child) published on 9 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the Bumblebee team for the way in which they have cared for and nurtured my child since she started at Julia Durbin over a year ago. As a first-time mother, anxious about beginning the nursery process, I have been consistently reassured
by the clear love and affection that the three girls have shown towards my daughter, and the genuine understanding that they have of her.
Early years education is hugely important, and I have been so impressed by the planning and intent that has gone into organising her day and bringing on her development. She is a happy, talkative, and a cheeky little girl and the girls have facilitated this.
Thank you again, ladies.

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Review from Constantinos S (Father of Child) published on 6 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin is fantastic! Our son loves it, he gets lots of stimulation, fun playtime as well as learning, and there's a great variety of nutritious food. The kitchen was really helpful and accommodating when we had some changes to dietary restrictions. The staff are really great, especially two members
at Preschool. Last but not least, the safety procedures they put in place for Covid have been a huge success.

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Review from Leslye R (Mother of Child) published on 23 September 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The Julia Durbin Day Nursery for us is a wonderful place with excellent staff and we are very happy to have our children in the Pre-School. My son goes everyday very happy to enjoy all day. We have a great experience with the nursery.

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Review from Rebecca C (Mother of Child) published on 15 September 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at Julia Durbin from the age of 9 months, up to going to school. She has had an incredible experience, and we highly recommend this nursery. All the staff are very fantastic - they really care about the children and teach them so much. They give them amazing experiences, both in
the nursery and on trips out (including to the library, theatre, and further afield including the hedgehog hospital!). In the nursery, they focus on age-appropriate skill development, and our daughter is now confident in starting to read, early maths, role-play, whiteboard work and art. The outdoor space is fantastic, with loads of resources in the garden to play. The team has been incredible during the COVID pandemic, supporting those of us who needed to continue to use the nursery, and keeping everyone safe when more children returned. I am so pleased we sent our daughter here, the range of experiences she has been given has been amazing, and it's prepared her extremely well for school.

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Review from Laura C (Mother of Child) published on 7 September 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has attended Julia Durbin since she was 10 months old. We’ve been extremely happy with the care that she had received during that time. She has acquired countless social skills and grown in confidence. She’s always had a lovely bond with her key workers and we’ve always felt that they
have understood her character and encouraged her in the things that she enjoys. She’s made some great friends and will miss it greatly when she starts school next week however I feel that Julia Durbin and more recently her time at preschool has prepared her well and put in place solid foundations for her to start school and for that we are extremely grateful. I've always found staff to be helpful and reassuring. There is excellent communication from both key workers and management. We would without hesitation recommend this nursery to parents. Thank you to all the staff for their care and kindness for the last nearly 4 years!

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Review from Sara R (Mother of Child) published on 22 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our son really enjoyed his time at the Julia Durbin Day Nursery and we'd like to thank all the staff in Butterflies room, especially his key worker, for all their excellent work and for really caring about the children. It was a bit too expensive for us in the end and we had to go for another childcare
option after 10 months or so of attendance, especially as prices normally go up every year. However, I would still recommend Julia Durbin as an excellent nursery, primarily because of the people working directly with the children and the admin staff, who are very understanding. The outdoor space of the nursery is really fantastic and that was the thing that really sold it to us to begin with.

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Review from Claire H (Mother of Child) published on 22 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of our children have attended Julia Durbin so we have had a long relationship with the team.
They both started as babies and we have seen them flourish through their early years.
The staff have got to know them well and seen their interests develop.
We have always appreciated the feedback from
the day and were confident our children were happy and well looked after.
We have always found the team very caring and committed to individualised learning.
The range of activities and outdoor space was excellent and really encouraged our children in their play and learning.
We have decided to move our younger child on to a different pre-school environment with a qualified primary school teacher because of flexibility of sessions and because he is old for the school year - but our older son who is young for his year was very well prepared for school so we would still highly recommend Julia Durbin Nursery.
Overall we are very thankful to have chosen Julia Durbin.

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Review from Charlotte (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has had a wonderful time at the Julia Durbin Nursery. He started in the Butterflies room when he was aged 2 and a half. He had never been looked after by anyone other than a close relative, so it was a big transition. All the staff were very kind and welcoming and helped him to settle in. His
key worker was really enthusiastic and joyful and he talked about her a lot at home. Our son particularly enjoyed the daily music sessions, activities in the big garden, and playing with the plentiful array of toy construction tools. We highly recommend Julia Durbin as a welcoming and stimulating nursery.

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Review from Nicola A (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have used Julia Durbin for all 3 of my children, and I can honestly say it’s the BEST by far! The nursery has always supported me and my family and has been my ultimate backbone for over 7 years.
I have seen many staff over the years in the reception, and the classrooms and each and everyone are
a credit to the nursery, always going above and beyond to ensure the children’s needs are the main priority. I always feel confident leaving my child here and never worry, as I know they are in the safest hands.
The facilities and food are amazing, especially the action-packed garden. Each day always includes lots of fun activities, creativity and learning through play. I would honestly struggle to find any faults.
However, the best thing about Julia Durbin for me is that each of my children have always been happy. I will miss the nursery and the amazing staff so very much and can not thank you all enough for being our second home for so long.

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Review from Gracia (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin is a fantastic nursery. I say this based on over seven years' experience of sending my three children there. Over the years, my kids have been through each of the different age-based rooms and we have experienced firsthand the love, care and dedication that all of the staff pour into their
work. The daily activities are lovely and educational, the atmosphere is fun and the huge garden is a massive bonus. It can be nerve-wracking choosing a nursery, especially if it is a child's first time being away from home, but Julia Durbin really is a second family and I recommend them whole-heartedly!

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Review from Jonathan P (Father of Child) published on 3 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son started at Julia Durbin in November 2018, first in Caterpillars, and then Bumblebees, and ever since then we've been absolutely blown away by how positive an experience this has been. The nursery itself is great, with lovely rooms and a brilliant outdoor play area, but it really is the staff
that make this place what it is. We're constantly impressed with the sheer level of dedication and care that they've shown to our son, how seriously they take his development and confidence and how much fun he has there. We really can tell the difference it's made.
We're also touched by the level of effort made during the pandemic. While our son hasn't been at nursery due to lockdown, the staff have been really proactive at keeping in touch at a time when they're stretched, and we know that when they say they can't wait to see him come back, that they really mean it. It's that attitude that sums up why, as a family, we're so happy with the place.

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Review from Zoe S (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin Day Nursery is a wonderful nursery, I can highly recommend it. Our son has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the nursery and made some really good friends. Every day they have different fun activities for the children to get involved with and there is plenty of outdoor space for the children
to play in. The team were wonderful when it came to settling him into the nursery when he first started age 2 in Butterflies room. They also helped enormously with the potty training in Pre-School. Our son’s social skills developed really well during his time at Julia Durbin’s Nursery. He bonded well with his key workers and he really enjoyed going to the nursery. Julia Durbin is a very professional nursery and I can highly recommend it.

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Review from Katie C (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I was recommended the Julia Durbin by a number of friends and colleagues when deciding on a nursery for our son and I'm really glad we followed their advice. Having been there for nearly a year now he is so happy going off in the mornings and seems to enjoy his nursery days more and more every week.
He has clearly formed strong relationships with the staff members (who all know him by name) and the range of activities on offer both inside and out is tremendous. This is particularly impressive given how challenging the last couple of months have been, for both parents and staff, but despite this, the nursery has continued to excel in both their communication and high standards of care. I would thoroughly recommend Julia Durbin Day Nursery to any other family looking for a stimulating and supportive environment to send their children.

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Review from Sarah S (Mother of Child) published on 9 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have never found anything about the nursery disappointing, the staff are amazing and appear so hard working and caring. My daughter has bonded with many of the staff over the 1.5 years she has been there, and I always feel happy leaving her there. There seem to be a great variety of activities and
meals, and she does lots of messy play which she wouldn't get to do at home. They maximise outdoor time in the excellent garden which is important to us. I'm really grateful for all the work they do, it cannot be an easy job.

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Review from Elizabeth (Mother of Child) published on 9 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin was recommended by several friends last year when we were looking to move our 3-year-old from another setting before her 1-year-old sister started nursery as we weren’t very happy at the previous place. I am so happy we took their advice, the staff are super friendly and helpful, and both
kids settled really quickly. We were reassured about them going back to nursery after lockdown by all the thought, hard work and preparation staff had clearly put in, and both have settled back in brilliantly this first week back. The menu is healthy and clearly tasty as mine frequently have seconds and thirds! Rooms and outdoor spaces are really well-equipped and great at stimulating their imagination and learning. I couldn’t rate them more highly, I feel completely happy with the care my kids get at Julia Durbin!

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.867)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.867) out of 10 for Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 32 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 32 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 4.891 for Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is calculated as follows: ( (344 Excellents x 5) + (38 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 384 Ratings = 4.891

  • 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 4.976 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is based on 32 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • 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 164 number of registered child places is 32.8. 32 Positive Reviews ÷ 32.8 = 0.976

  • 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 (18)

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Meet the Team (1)

Emma

Emma Wallbridge

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 1996

Emma is the Manager of Julia Durbin Day Nursery in Headington and has a wealth of experience, having worked in the early years sector for 24 years. Emma has numerous qualifications, including an NNEB, Management NVQ's and a Foundation Degree in Early Years. Emma has worked for Childbase Partnership since 1996.


What is your favourite feature of Julia Durbin?
Despite being on the hospital grounds we are almost secretly hidden within a lovely natural space and a huge natural garden. I also like our entrance and reception area as we get to greet all the families and visitors as they arrive.


What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
Our ongoing recognition from Ofsted and amazing day nursery reviews from our parents. The staff have exceptional relationships with the families and each other which leaves a great morale across the nursery. The children are the heart of our Julia Durbin family.


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