Julia Durbin Day Nursery in Oxford

Welcome to Julia Durbin Day Nursery

Open 7.00am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding inset days and public holidays, we offer a fully inclusive service.

We prioritise outdoor play here at Julia Durbin Day Nursery in Oxford.

All children have access to the garden on a daily basis as we recognise the importance of outdoor play on children’s learning and development. Children love digging for buried treasure in our sandpit and going on a bug hunt in our nature area.

Children’s days are packed full of daily, age appropriate activities designed in line with EYFS principles.

Our knowledgeable and highly skilled staff work in partnership with parents to deliver an exceptional service to you.

We provide a convenient service for parents; we are centrally located, close to the station and our fees are fully inclusive.

Fully Inclusive Service

Our fees include all activities, formula milk, nappies, nappy cream, baby wipes, sun cream, freshly prepared, and nutritionally-balanced meals and snacks throughout the day.

We use Sing and Sign and run Boogie Mites sessions throughout the week for all age groups.

As an eco-nursery and accredited Green Flag Award holder, we are committed to sustainability and environmental education. Our children take part in a year-round curriculum of green activities, including recycling projects, growing and caring for seasonal vegetables, nature exploration, and learning how to protect the world around them.

Additionally, parents will have ‘free to use’ access to our exclusive parent website and App – childbase@home – offering a full range of bespoke books, on-line experiences and parent workshops and masterclasses run by industry professionals including SEND, behaviour management, first aid and speech & language.

Contact Details

Julia Durbin Day Nursery

The Old Road, Roosevelt Drive, Old Road Campus, Oxford OX3 7JU

e: julia.durbin@childbase.com

t: 01865 744448

what3words: ballots.sudden.woven

Meet the Manager

Hello, I’m Emma. Thank you for your interest in our nursery.

I have been the Manager at Julia Durbin since 2009 and have worked in the early years sector for 25 years, 15 of these at Childbase Partnership.

If you have any questions about the nursery please do not hesitate to contact me at any point.

Emma Wallbridge – Nursery Manager

Room and Garden Gallery

Caterpillars

Our Caterpillar room is for our youngest children. Your child will be allocated a Key Person who build a strong bond with you and your child. Your child’s Key Person will offer familiarity and consistency during the main care aspects of their day and we will try to to ensure that your child’s home routine is continued as much as possible in nursery. We will start to develop your child’s early vocabulary, understanding and social skills.

Ladybirds

In the Ladybird Room our key focus is developing your child’s language, social and physical skills. At this age children’s language development is rapid and we will work with you to support this both at home and at nursery. We encourage children to develop their independence and support them in making choices.

Bumblebees

Our Key focus in Bumblebees is to develop children’s language, social and physical development, encourage children to do things for themselves by exploring, investigating, watching and listening, support self-help skills, build vocabulary, support children in play, build attachments with their Key Person, develop independence, support and develop thinking skills.

Butterflies

Our Key focus in Butterflies is to develop children’s language, social and physical development, encourage children to do things for themselves by exploring, investigating, watching and listening, support self-help skills, build vocabulary, support children in play, build attachments with their Key Person, develop independence, support and develop thinking skills.

Preschool

Our Key focus in Preschool is to teach self-help skills and extend on building self-care skills, self esteem, develop language and communication skills and build vocabulary, support children in play, prepare children for school through our Ready, Steady, Grow programme whilst developing Phonics and further structured based learning in small groups.

Garden

All children have daily access to our age appropriate gardens as we fully recognise the impact that being outdoors has on a child’s social, emotional and physical development. Our children will also learn about nature and have opportunities to plant, grow and harvest their own produce.

Parent Reviews of Julia Durbin

Parent Partnership

We believe that parents and colleagues working together is vital in ensuring a child’s individual needs are fully met and each child gets the most from their nursery experience. We will regularly discuss your child’s progress at nursery and will ask about any changes in routine, interests and development at home. Our Parentzone app will allow you to see regular updates on your child at nursery and you can add your own at home. We also have our own exclusive parent website, Childbase@Home, which you can access as a nursery parent. Full details will be provided when you join us.

Health and Safety

Providing safe, secure and healthy environments is a core principle of our nurseries. To uphold this commitment, we are supported by an experienced in-house team of qualified Health & Safety professionals who set, monitor and continuously improve the highest standards across our settings. Their work is reinforced by a dedicated, trained Health and Safety Officer in each nursery, ensuring best practice is embedded into daily routines. Children are also introduced to Harry, our Health, Safety and Environment hippo, who helps raise awareness of these important topics in a fun, age-appropriate and engaging way.

Healthy Eating

Good nutrition is at the heart of our commitment to supporting a healthy lifestyle for your child. We believe a balanced diet is essential not only for children’s physical growth, but also for their concentration, learning and overall development, helping them make the most of every day at nursery. Mealtimes are about more than just food – they are an important social experience. Our practitioners sit with children during meals, encouraging positive interaction, good table manners and the development of key social skills. This shared experience also allows us to support children when needed, answer their questions about food and celebrate their growing independence.

Eco-Schools

Our nursery follows the Eco-Schools programme, operated in the UK by Keep Britain Tidy with the aim of promoting behaviour that has a positive impact on the environment. It is a global scheme operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education and does offer nurseries who achieve Green Flag, the highest award, the opportunity to twin with other Green Flag institutions around the world. Three subjects are chosen from ten options which become the main focus for nursery based activities. The programme follows a 7 step framework which helps guide our nursery to reach Green Flag Status which we are proud to have achieved.

Starting Nursery

If the place you require is available, we will confirm this in writing and provide you with a registration form to complete. At this stage, we will also request a non-refundable £50 administration fee and 50% of the first month’s fees. Flexible payment options are available and we would be happy to discuss these with you.

If a place is not currently available, we will add your child to our waiting list and keep you informed of any changes.

As your child’s start date approaches, we will arrange settling-in sessions. These sessions give you and your child the opportunity to meet their Key Person and spend time together in their room, helping your child feel comfortable and confident in their new environment. They also allow us to get to know your family and ensure we can provide the best possible care.

If you have any questions at any point, or would like to arrange a nursery tour if you haven’t already, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours at Julia Durbin Day Nursery?

The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 6:30pm, excluding public holidays and inset days.

Where is Julia Durbin Day Nursery located?

The nursery is located on the Old Road Campus in Headington, Oxford, close to local hospitals and transport links, making it convenient for working parents and families commuting into the city.

Does the nursery offer outdoor learning opportunities?

Yes. Outdoor play is a key part of daily life at the nursery. Children have access to age-appropriate gardens where they can explore nature, take part in bug hunts, grow vegetables, develop physical skills and learn through outdoor play experiences.

How does Julia Durbin Day Nursery promote child safety?

Child safety and wellbeing are central to the nursery’s approach. Childbase Partnership has an in-house team of qualified health and safety professionals, alongside a trained Health and Safety Officer within each nursery. Safe, secure and healthy environments are embedded into daily routines to help protect every child.

What safeguarding measures are in place at the nursery?

The nursery follows safeguarding and child protection procedures designed to support children’s welfare and wellbeing. Staff receive ongoing training in areas including safeguarding, health and safety, food hygiene and child development.