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 121-140
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 Yann S (Father of Child) published on 25 January 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We moved from Belgium to Oxford in July 2018 and we stayed until January 2019. We have a 3-year old daughter who did not speak English when we arrived. The Julia Day Durbin Nursery has been superb in taking care of her and making sure she settled in well. As part of our review, we'd like to attach the
goodbye e-mail we sent to the entire team:


We just wanted to thank the entire Julia Durbin team for taking such great care of our daughter during our stay in the UK.


Our daughter's English is really sticking with her; whenever she plays games or reads a book, she automatically switches from Dutch to English. We’ll try our best to make sure she can keep practising her English.


We especially would like to mention how important two of the caretakers, in particular, have been to her. Our daughter really developed a strong relationship with both of them. These two caretakers did an excellent job and we absolutely wanted to mention this.


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Review from N M (Father of Child) published on 26 October 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

On the whole, nursery is good, my son has learned a lot of new stuff and experienced new things.


Although some of the teachers are spending more time with children than others still it is satisfying. Nursery has a great space for children to play outdoors and also good facilities for indoor activities,

although I'm a little bit concerned about the hygiene conditions in the toilets. I hope they have extra supervision of children when they use it and ask the children to wash their hands thoroughly and check the toilets regularly to make sure they are clean enough. On the whole I'm more happy about the teachers than the reception crew, I think a warm welcoming reception team can make a great impact on the whole team but sometimes you get to see otherwise.

Reply from Emma Wallbridge at Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford)

We thank you for your positive comments and are pleased that you appreciate the wonderful facilities and care that Julia Durbin has to offer. We apologise that you have found the toilets not up to our high cleanliness standards, we have recently employed a domestic assistant and they are now overseeing the toilets cleanliness at key points during the day to ensure hygiene standards are maintained. We recognise our reception area can be busy during drop off and collection times and the greeting of parents verbally has been addressed within the office team. We hope you see some improvement in this soon. We value your feedback and honest comments, please feel free to discuss this further with me at the nursery.


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Review from Lamiese (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son always seems happy to go to nursery. On the occasional day that he’s slightly under the weather or out of sorts, the caring staff there give him cuddles, which almost instantly seem to make him better and restore his smiley self.


Staff are pleasant and genuinely caring. He is always greeted

when he enters the room. It makes me happy to know that he is having fun, learning and being well looked after when I’m at work.

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Review from Rhiannon R (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Julia Durbin have been brilliant, accommodating our childcare needs where they can. Our son has had a great start, and we are already impressed with the care, attention and kindness shown to our little one by the staff in Caterpillars. Thank you!

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Review from Stephanie A (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at the Julia Durbin Nursery since she was 7 months old (she is now 2). She absolutely loves her time at nursery every day and it has been wonderful for us to see her grow and develop into a happy, chatty little girl. She has made lots of friends and she looks forward to seeing
them every day!


She loves the big garden and playing outside and I love that the children are outside every day, in all sorts of weather.


I cannot rate this nursery highly enough. The staff are caring, thoughtful and friendly. They know all the children's names (even if they are not in the same room) and there is always a smile from reception in the morning. Our daughter has had the same key worker throughout her time at nursery, which has really helped develop her confidence.


We are so glad we chose Julia Durbin nursery and are grateful for the care and attention they give all the children.


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Review from Eppie (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of our sons have been extremely happy at Julia Durbin. Recently my younger son has had to spend time in hospital, and the PreSchool Team's help in preparing him for the experience was invaluable and so wonderfully done. As parents, we also received lots of support, and it is this sense of emotional
connection which makes Julia Durbin a very special place.

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Review from Marian K (Mother of Child) published on 3 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter was in Julia Durbin for 10 months and we were extremely satisfied with all aspects of care, and my daughter loved going to the nursery every morning.

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Review from Christelle (Mother of Child) published on 3 September 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Thank you to the whole Julia Durbin team for taking amazing care of my son over the last 6 months. The staff is amazing and friendly. The baby room is very well suited to the children's needs. The outdoor space is fantastic. I have really enjoyed the use of Parent Zone as well so we get to see what
the children get up to in pictures :) We will definitely miss the team.

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Review from Jo C (Mother of Child) published on 18 July 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have always been very happy with the care at Julia Durbin Nursery. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They are also very supportive of the children as individuals and quick to resolve any issues that may arise.
As far as the facilities go, the outdoor space is amazing. Indoors, the staff are
always finding interesting things for the children to do. In the pre-school room, they manage to tie this in with learning opportunities in a way that the children can engage with.
I would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone.

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Review from Emily L (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin is literally my life-saver! As a working mum I can confidently drop my children off knowing they will be happy, safe, loved and inspired. The garden is an absolute asset - different to all the nurseries I visited.


The teachers are caring and informative. The management team are personable

and know you, your situation and your kids.


We will miss JD!


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Review from Sara (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My two children both excelled at this nursery. The staff in the rooms are considerate, attentive and enthusiastic. In particular, their key person in each room was fantastic - my daughters were put at ease and enjoyed seeing them.
On a personal level management have been extremely supportive and kind.
My two children and I will greatly miss this nursery once my youngest leaves in August.

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Review from Mandy H (Mother of Child) published on 2 July 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery! My children love it here. The staff are brilliant & form great relationships with the children. My eldest daughter leaves this year & is already saying she will miss certain staff....luckily she will get to see them when we drop off my younger daughter!

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Review from S T (Father of Child) published on 12 June 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been exceptionally well looked after at the Julia Durbin nursery. Throughout her year and a half at the nursery, the amazing teams in the Caterpillar and Bumblebees rooms - supported by a great management team - have played a very significant part in her development.

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Review from Alex J (Mother of Child) published on 4 May 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have recommended this nursery to several friends already because it has fabulous staff, great outdoor space, healthy and fresh food and a lovely atmosphere. Most importantly, my daughter loves it here! Thank you to everyone at Julia Durbin!

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Review from Helen O (Mother of Child) published on 4 May 2018
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has flourished at Julia Durbin Day Nursery and loves all the activities it has to offer. Her key workers are brilliant at offering her guidance and support. She already feels at home!

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Review from Sam H (Father of Child) published on 13 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I had to post a review about the helpfulness of the staff throughout this excellent nursery after I managed to get my car stuck in the mud in the car park - their response in assembling a quick-fire team of helpers including tow rope and truck was incredible and well above and beyond the call of duty.
I appreciate this seems a random topic to comment on but it goes to show the dedication of everyone there and their willingness to do anything to help.


Our two children have collectively spent over 5 years at this nursery because of the excellence of the staff and their ever-present can-do attitude. Thanks again, everyone!


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Review from Jeremy B (Father of Child) published on 5 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Julia Durbin is an excellent nursery. Our daughter has been there for four years and we are very happy to leave her each day in such a warm and positive environment. The staff are amazing - from the management team to the practitioners, to the cooks, and this is what makes the nursery such a high standard.
They are all very professional and caring. We get regular feedback from our daughter’s ‘key workers’ and now we get additional feedback through the ‘Parent Zone’ app. In addition, there are several events each year that parents attend.
The physical environment is superb - the best outdoor areas we saw when choosing a nursery.
And the food is very good - clearly, a lot of thought goes into providing healthy, nutritious food.


But most of all it is the staff who make our daughter’s life both educational and interesting.


It’s an excellent all round nursery - we would recommend it to anyone in the Oxford area.


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Review from Vasha B (Mother of Child) published on 3 April 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I highly recommend Julia Durbin Day Nursery to any parents/carers considering it. Two of my children attend the nursery and they've been fantastic from day one. Staff are extremely helpful and helped them both settle in really well. When I leave them in nursery, I leave knowing they will receive fantastic
care and I have absolute trust that the staff looking after my children not just qualified but have a genuine interest in ensuring they have the best time and are always very attentive. I am always provided with daily feedback on their activities and food intake. The food is made fresh and is always healthy as well as having variety. The nursery management team are very responsive to any questions or queries and always respond very promptly. The different rooms have a wide variety of fun and educational activists all year and always try to involve parents/carers. I am really glad I chose this nursery for my children.

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Review from Tetyana B (Mother of Child) published on 9 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the staff of the Ladybirds room for all the Christmas activities this month. Yesterday we received the crafts and photographs and it was a real wonderbox! The grandparents loved the adorable glittery Santa calendar and I couldn't stop smiling from the cheeky
Elf photo. Thank you so much for your creativity, your commitment, care and affection. We can see it reflected in the eyes and the smile of our little pudding!

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Review from Franziska F (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been visiting Julia Durbin Day Nursery since he is 10 months old. He settled in very well, because of the outstanding, highly qualified and lovely key workers who know him personally. He loves going to nursery. His development (including communication, social behaviour and fine/gross motor
skills) is well supported by the diverse activities, the staff and the well-equipped and carefully and lovely decorated room.


The staff and the management team are very friendly and supportive. The feedback given to us (parents) is outstanding and very helpful. We and our son are very happy and we would recommend Julia Durbin Day Nursery to everyone.


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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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