Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford)

Old Road, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7JU
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9.9 223 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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Funding & Fees

Contact Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) to get a personalised quote.

Contact Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

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 (223)

9.9

Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10, based on 48 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) has 223 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford)
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Total of 223, showing 21-40
Review from Michelle C (Mother of Child) published on 10 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son aged four and daughter aged 2 have both attended julia Durbin since they were 12months old. I can't speak highly enough of the whole experience. The management are brilliant the workers are wonderful- I have always felt my children have been cared for as individuals and given so much enrichment
love and attention.
The staff are passionate about their jobs and this shines through clearly.
I feel very lucky to have this nursery in our locality
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Review from R S (Mother of Child) published on 3 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Julia Durbin is a great nursery- we've been really pleased with our experience. The manager is very helpful and supportive, and the team in Ladybirds room 2 are brilliant. They are very kind and caring and always give our little one the warmest welcome! Our little one has grown and developed so much
since starting.
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Review from Louise B (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful care! My toddler was very well cared for and had a special bond with his contact person. The manager and her entire team were amazing in the Ladybirds room.


The team are warm, friendly, loving and thoughtful and always shared feedback with me of the day. It was such a comfort to leave my

son with the team and he was very happy.


Julia Durbin has wonderful creative activities and areas for children to learn through play. The food is healthy and of great quality. But most important, the staff are fantastic and truly provide great loving care.


I highly recommend this nursery.

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Review from S A (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2025 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience of the Julia Durbin Nursery has been fantastic and far exceeded our expectations of what nursery provisions can offer. The level of care and attention staff have given to my daughter has been amazing, taking each and every interaction to suit her individual development, getting to know
her and providing daily feedback to us as parents, both through the online app as well as personal feedback at the end of each day. Julia Durbin isn't just nursery provision, it's a loving, caring and supportive environment for both parents and children. I can't thank our key worker enough for her dedication, and our daughter has thrived under her care, patience and guidance.
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Review from Becky P (Mother of Child) published on 23 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little one has been attending Julia Durbin Nursery since September, and I honestly couldn't be happier with the experience. The staff are incredibly kind, caring, and nurturing. It's clear how much they genuinely care for the children, and I've seen such a positive change in my daughter since she
started.
She's grown so much in confidence and has learnt so much - it's been amazing to watch her thrive. What means the most to me is knowing that if she ever just needs a cuddle or a bit of comfort, that's exactly what she'll get. The team really understands each child as an individual.
I was quite nervous about sending her to nursery at first, but seeing how happy she is there and how much she loves it has completely reassured me. Thank you so much to everyone at Julia Durbin for taking such wonderful care of my girl - we're so grateful
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Review from F O (Father of Child) published on 12 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are having a good experience so far. The staff is very friendly and approachable. When we go to work, we feel that our son is in good hands. He loves staying at the nursery with so many activities going on every day.
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Review from Nicholas D (Father of Child) published on 11 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter absolutely loves her time at nursery and has thrived since joining the Bumblebees room. The staff are excellent - warm, professional, and dedicated to the children's wellbeing and development. Her key worker has been especially caring and attentive, and we've been really impressed with
the thoughtful focus on learning through play.


There are a wide variety of fun and stimulating activities, both indoors and out. The outside space is fantastic - with a sandpit, play park area, large garden, and more - it's clear the children enjoy lots of fresh air and exploration.


The nursery hours are very convenient for working families, and the food is great too - varied, healthy, and prepared by a friendly chef team who are open to parent input. One small suggestion would be to add a bit more variety to the breakfast options.


Overall, we're very happy with the care and experience our daughter is receiving - a lovely, nurturing environment that she looks forward to every day.

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Review from C H (Mother of Child) published on 5 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had a great experience with Julia Durbin Day Nursery. My daughter always has a great time and has developed so much both emotionally and intellectually. She has made some lovely friends and is developing her social skills becoming a confident individual gaining her independence. The food offered
is healthy and balanced which my daughter really enjoys and the outdoor space is lovely for outdoor play and exercise.
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Review from Rafaela G (Mother of Child) published on 3 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter joined Ladybirds 1 at Julia Durbin Nursery in October, and we couldn't be happier. From the start, the team welcomed her with such warmth, helping her settle gently and feel secure. Though she spoke very little before, she now says the name of every staff member and talks about them often
at home. On weekends, she says their names as if she misses them and wants to go back - a true sign of the bonds she's built. We've seen a lot of progress in her language development, along with growing confidence, independence, and curiosity. The environment is calm, nurturing, and full of thoughtful, engaging activities. The regular updates keep us connected and show just how well the team knows and supports each child. We are so grateful to the wonderful Ladybirds 1 staff - your care, patience, and kindness are making a truly meaningful difference in our daughter's early years. Thank you for everything you do!
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Review from Joe D (Father of Child) published on 2 June 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We really love the time our son is currently spending in the bumblebees room at Julia Durbin nursery.
The staff are really friendly, engaged and attuned to the kids and their needs, and we feel like they know and care about our son as an individual. The team have a really nice vibe as well.
There
are always new and interesting activities taking place.
Access to the garden facilities seems really easy, and I know my son really values it.
The staff are helpful with issues around nap management, potty training and other things like that.
The food seems good and we're always impressed by how calm breakfast and tea is at pickup/ drop off.
We really like this nursery and our son is very happy there.
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Review from Courtney N (Mother of Child) published on 29 May 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was really nervous when dropping off my child for the first settling in session. It has only been a couple of months, but already she reaches for her key person the moment we arrive at nursery in the morning. We really appreciate how caring the staff are, and how they are willing to communicate with
us at pick-up and drop-offs. Importantly, we are also really impressed with the food. Everything is homemade, and they do not use sugar. Puddings are always fruit- and vegetable-based. Overall, we have been really impressed with the nursery!
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Review from Maya W (Mother of Child) published on 22 May 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I'm really grateful for the team at ladybirds 2 who all seem so genuinely happy to see my son when I drop him off. I appreciated the team encouraging my son with his walking and I felt the team really shared my excitement when he started walking.
Another thing worth praising are the meals. The meals
are all made in house by a chef who takes a lot of care to make sure there is a variety of nutritious meals.
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Review from M S (Mother of Child) published on 19 May 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been in the pre-school room for the past 9 months, and the growth in his social and intellectual skills has been incredible. Every day offers something new-whether it's art, gardening, Forest School, or cooking. The team celebrates diversity through cultural events and activities, and there's
a strong focus on experiential learning: from fire engine and dentist visits to music lessons and even learning Spanish. The staff are truly caring and dedicated, and it's clear they put a lot of thought into creating a nurturing, stimulating environment.
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Review from N G (Mother of Child) published on 12 May 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has truly flourished during his time at the nursery. I am incredibly grateful for the warm, nurturing environment they provided, and the dedication and care shown by the entire staff have far exceeded my expectations. My little one has developed emotionally, socially and intellectually, and
he is now fluent in both English and our mother language.
Highly recommend this nursery!
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Review from Gabriela D (Mother of Child) published on 29 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started at caterpillars room in November and since then I have no words to say how happy I am with the team leader, both key person and the whole team. They took my little one under their winds and helped him to grow and develop. He always comes happy to the nursery and he is loved by everybody
there. When you go through the nursery to pick up your son, you immediately realize the great environment that there is there, you see all the staff in different rooms happy and smiling, interacting with the children and doing a lot of activities. Thank you very much.
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Review from O A (Father of Child) published on 24 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Thank you for your all help in looking after my son over the last 4 years.
Julia Durbin Day Nursery is one of the best nurseries in Oxford and very convenient for those working in the hospital.
We are sorry to leave this nursery.
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Review from Janet B (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot sing the praises of Julia Durbin Day Nursery enough. They have looked after two of our sons: one from age about 18 months until the end of pre-school, and the other aged from 10 months to 30 months. We are now moving away from the area and it is with a heavy heart indeed that we will be saying
goodbye to all the exceptional staff. They have been incredibly attentive and caring, and really do their absolute best by the children and parents. They take a deep interest in the children's interests, and any concerns or problems are dealt with immediately, effectively, and compassionately. It has also been very helpful to know that our children have had a high quality diet while at Julia Durbin - to be honest they have been fed better (in terms of healthiness and variety of food) than we generally manage at home. I strongly recommend this nursery to anyone in Oxford.
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Review from I R (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't have been happier with the care our daughter had whilst at Julia Durbin Day Nursery. In addition to the lovely environment and excellently run day, we were so impressed by and grateful for the affection, warmth and care our daughter was shown by the staff she came into contact with. From
her key workers in each room, to her room leaders and staff more generally around the nursery, everyone was so friendly and kind, and that made a real difference to us as her parents! So thank you Julia Durbin and we're sorry to be leaving!
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Review from M W (Father of Child) published on 4 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been in the Butterfly Room at Julia Durbin Day Nursery for half a year. We cannot recommend the nursery and its staff enough: we have always felt that our boy is cared for, that we are fully informed, and that he is in general having a wonderful time. We have a short chat by way of daily
report every day when we collect him, photos are shared with us throughout the week, and we are encouraged to raise any concerns (we have none!). He also eats extremely well at nursery!
It's strange and a difficult adjustment to entrust your child into someone else's care for the first time, and for him to come home with stories about his daily life in which you were not part. The team at Julia Durbin made the process easy, and now I look forward to collecting our boy at the end of the day and hearing about his adventures.
Thanks to anyone from the teaching team who happens to be reading this: you're much appreciated.
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Review from A H (Father of Child) published on 4 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has loved going to nursery since the day she started. The staff we see every day are always friendly and ready to help with anything. It is obvious how much all the staff care about, and are invested in the children. This definitely comes through in our daughter's progression and confidence.
It is a very professional, safe and clean operation. We never have any worries about our daughter when she's at the nursery because we know she's being looked after so well.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.911)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.911) out of 10 for Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 48 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 48 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:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.911 for Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is calculated as follows: ( (525 Excellents x 5) + (49 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 575 Ratings = 4.911
  2. 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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Julia Durbin Day Nursery (Oxford) is based on 48 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 4
    2. 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, which has been reached with 48 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (19)

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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