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 101-120
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 Daniel C (Father of Child) published on 15 August 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great nursery, they are always looking for ways to make it better. The key workers really are. The garden is amazing.

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Review from Sarah H (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two children attending Julia Durbin. They have enjoyed their time there especially the fabulous large garden play area. The staff are cheerful, caring and kind. I have always been delighted to see all the things the children have learnt with their help, potty training, using cutlery, lovely songs
and good manners. The nursery also does a lot of extra activities such as fetes and tea parties so Julia Durbin has felt like a big part of our family life. Preparation for transition to school is excellent.

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Review from C G (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would like to thank all the staff who took the children from my son’s room to Blenheim on Thursday last week. It isn't my son’s normal day at nursery but he was invited along and met the children there as my parents were able to take him. He had a lovely day with his friends and his keyworker and
my parents remarked at how included they were made to feel. My son continues to love his days at Julia Durbin.

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Review from Mrs C (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attended Julia Durbin for 10 months after I returned to work and I could not be happier with the care she received during that time. She adored attending each day and came on leaps and bounds in her development. The staff are fantastic - very nurturing towards the children and always happy
to help with any queries you may have. I highly recommend this nursery.

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Review from Norma S (Grandmother of Child) published on 5 August 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A very successful 4 1/2 years from nursery to preschool. With a dedicated team whose unfailing courtesy, professionalism and care for the children has been a pleasure to see.

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Review from R L (Mother of Child) published on 23 July 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has attended Julia Durbin Day Nursery for 3 years. He started in Bumblebees and have progressed to Pre-school. He has developed really well, learnt a lot and made great friends in a lovely, friendly and safe environment. He has also enjoyed his time at Julia Durbin and I am very impressed with
their nurturing, caring and professional approach to childcare. It’s not easy leaving your child to go to work but Julia Durbin Nursery has made this process less worrisome, stress-free and with great ease to balancing work life and parenthood. All the events that they have organised have been fantastic and fun for the kids. On days where there were heavy snowfalls, Julia Durbin kept the Nursery open for parents like myself working, to attend work. With that, they provide coffee mornings for parents to grab tea/ coffee and a pastry to take to work which was much needed in those cold, snowy winter mornings. I am very pleased I chose this Nursery as my childcare provider.

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Review from Jemma H (Mother of Child) published on 23 July 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can't emphasise how good this nursery is. The care provided has been excellent in all of the rooms, with each of my children's key people going out of their way to get to know them ensuring that they are happy and engaged throughout the day. The activities provided are excellent from yoga, football,
cooking and trips to the library in preschool. The outdoor play area is fantastic. The supervision both inside and out is very good. The food provided is excellent. All fresh, healthy and with lots of variety. Significant events are recognised and there are often dress up days which all the children seem to love.
There is lots of parental involvement, also with a weekly email. If ever we need to speak to a member of staff they are more than happy to listen and help us with anything we need. All members of staff across the nursery know my children by name and myself now also. During such special primary year's, I couldn't have asked for a better, more nurturing childcare setting.

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Review from Kirsten S (Mother of Child) published on 5 June 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son attended Julia Durban nursery (the Ladybirds room) and we were delighted with how quickly he settled in. The nursery facilities are fantastic, in particular, the variety of activities in the room, and the outdoor play area is incredible - the best I have seen by a very long way. The activities
each day are varied, promote learning and are fun, and the nursery is great at celebrating seasonal events like valentine’s day, mother's day, mental health awareness week etc. Most impressive however are the nursery staff. My son had a key worker and a secondary key worker that were both fantastic, we really couldn't have asked for more - they really invested in him and his development and they built a fantastic relationship with him that made him feel safe, cared for and confident. All the other staff in Ladybirds were also fantastic. The whole experience with Julia Durban and in particular the Ladybirds room has been second to none and I cannot recommend this nursery more highly.

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Review from Diana B (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter joined Julia Durbin Nursery when she was 18 months and settled in very quickly first into Ladybirds and then into Butterflies. My husband and I were really impressed by the outdoor area when we first visited the nursery and still believe it is what our child enjoyed the most. She also loved
the range of activities the staff organised on a daily basis and all the nutritious meals the chef prepared for the children who moved from Ladybirds to Butterflies. Thank you for all you've done for her!

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Review from Anne W (Mother of Child) published on 5 April 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter had the best experience at Caterpillars. All staff responsible for this room were extremely helpful and very kind with her. I would definitely recommend Julia Durbin as a nursery for parents who are nervous to leave their baby/child as I felt like I could trust everyone and my daughter was
in really good hands.

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Review from Lou C (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We’ve been using Julia Durbin since May 2015 and highly recommend this nursery. There are many things that make it a great nursery but, for me, it’s the staff that make it such a great place. Each child who has attended/attending, has not just enjoyed going (barely stopping to say goodbye at drop-off!)
but has come to love the people who have not just looked after them but really cared for them. The garden is a huge plus, being a deciding factor for us, and we love receiving updates/photos via the online app. Any issues I have raised with staff have been resolved swiftly and professionally. While slightly more expensive than some nurseries in the area, this is definitely outweighed by the many positives. When my eldest son’s school was closed due to snow recently, the nursery was open; just one example of their exemplary professionalism and the effort they put into making this a great nursery. When we want our twins to start nursery later this year, I already know where they’ll be going...!

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Review from Vanessa N (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin is the best.
Such a fabulous, caring team looking after my child. We're so fortunate to have found this nursery and Ladybirds room in particular. Tasty food too.

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Review from Emma P (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has responded so well to nursery. He loves the activities and has bonded really well with his key person. He is now in his second room and has settled in really well.

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Review from Sommiya H (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery who care about each individual child. My 9month old has excelled. Every day each child gets a detailed report to take home, which I can only say is a true reflection of my little boy.


Thank you all at the caterpillar class!!


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Review from Tina T (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son joined the nursery when he was one and a half and settled in really well as the staff were incredibly nurturing and fun. He is now thriving in Butterflies where he has made friends and enjoys the challenges and activities that are thoughtfully designed to encourage their development. He loves
his key worker and talking about all the fun activities he does at nursery. I would definitely recommend it to my friends and family a fabulous nursery.

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Review from Lama H (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My youngest daughter currently attends the Julia Durbin Preschool. We have been attending Julia Durbin for over 2 years now and we have been in nearly all their rooms.
My daughter is extremely happy to attend and is never upset when I drop her off. I feel safe leaving her and know she is in very good
caring hands. The preschool team are wonderful, very friendly and encouraging to all the children. They have massively helped with toilet training my daughter as I was struggling at home! The team have good ideas in preschool and the room activities are constantly renewed, they focus massively on preparing the children for school, and with a daughter who recently left Julia Durbin to go to school, I can say this works.
The food is nourishing, healthy and tasty my daughter never complains.
The staff are supportive and very approachable and I would definitely recommend this nursery.

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Review from Caroline (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since our son started in the nursery at one year old, he has continued to develop well. Having the warm input from the enthusiastic and caring staff in Ladybird Room has been great and there are always so many activities on offer every day. The food is healthy and varied and I have felt very comfortable
and reassured when dropping him off in the morning knowing they will meet his needs and know him well. The room is always in order, neat and tidy. The nursery manager is always friendly, attentive and caring. I would highly recommend Julia Durbin Nursery.

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Review from Idoia A (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin is an excellent nursery, with both great facilities and big outdoor areas top up by the excellent teams in the rooms! Both my kids love going to Julia Durbin, so much that sometimes they cry when I pick them up before the usual schedule! My experience with all the different age-rooms has
been fantastic and the staff is really committed and allow us to do other jobs for society. They do go beyond their duties very often and they certainly know how to create and keep the connection they make with the children. Keep it up!

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Review from Craig S (Father of Child) published on 5 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

It is tough entrusting your child to anyone, particularly when they seem so young. But Julia Durbin could not but make both my wife and I feel at ease that our little one is safe, secure and having a great time.


The facilities are fantastic- particularly the garden which was the biggest selling

point for us. They constantly have new and creative activities, all resourced with no expense spared. We love the online updates we receive - you get your own individual (secure) profile where they post pictures and summaries of activities.


However, it is the people that make this place exceptional, our child’s keyworker (in both rooms she has been in so far) have been so caring and approachable. All the other practitioners are attentive and very sociable.


Food (aka kitchen staff) is great and reception team are incredibly friendly and couldn’t do enough to be more helpful.


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Review from Jacqueline S (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our 7-month-old son has just spent his first month at Julia Durbin. Every day we drop him off or pick him up we can very clearly see how much he loves it there. All the staff in the baby room are very warm and they take very good care of him. I’ve been in at quite different times and the atmosphere
is always very nice; there is always a very good ratio of carers to babies in the room. They put out different toys for the babies to explore every day and activities like finger painting or exploring ice. Julia Durbin has an online system where the key person every so often uploads pictures and short descriptions of what they have been up to which is wonderful for giving us a glimpse of what our baby has been up to. Recently when there was snow chaos the nursery was nevertheless open which we were very grateful for as well.

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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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