Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford)

Sandfield Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7RH
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9.9 165 Reviews
  • Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford), Oxford
Sandfield Day Nursery is large purpose built day nursery with caring and dedicated staff, situated in the grounds of the John Radcliffe Hospital to care for the children of the Trust employees and local community. They have also obtained their Green Flag Eco-Schools Award.

Friendly and well established, the nursery provides a happy, sociable environment where every child is treated as an individual. The nursery has rooms for each individual age group with a specialist baby unit and spacious gardens that provide an excellent outdoor environment.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Kim Hambridge (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 60

Total Places for Children

  • 128

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 & 2 Inset Days

Parking

  • Drop off parking available at the front of the nursery.

Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) Reviews (165)

9.9

Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.902) out of 10, based on 29 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) has 165 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford)
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Total of 165, showing 1-20
Review from C L (Mother of Child) published on 29 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5
The administration team were excellent. Communication was good and the extra things that were put on like graduation was wonderful. The younger rooms were very good.
Unfortunately in pre school my child never settled. As they were only part time I wasn't sure if they got to know anyone. He would cry
the whole way to nursery. I thought this might just be him but we have moved him to another setting and he loves going in.
I think the pre school is better suited to full time kids as there are so many kids in pre school that children can end up being a bit anonymous.
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Review from Anil P (Father of Child) published on 22 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel that this nursery has completely exceeded the already high expectations, in every domain. The care they provide is to another level - they are hardworking, thoughtful, thorough, diligent, kind and, ultimately, very loving towards the children. The whole team are very organised, with excellent
and high-functioning management and administrative staff as well. I feel incredibly comfortable and confident having this team care for my children.
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Review from J F (Mother of Child) published on 22 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The team at Sandfield cared for our toddler from 2-3 years, and provided such a caring and supportive environment for him to grow in. The staff in his room were amazing with him and had such a genuine attachment and fondness for him. His key worker and the team were brilliant at understanding the support
he would need, and providing lots of cuddles and reassurance when he needed it.


The variety of activities and play was great, and he often surprised us with new songs or new pieces of information he'd learned!


We have moved on to a new nursery closer to home, but were so sad to say goodbye to Sandfield.

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Review from N C (Mother of Child) published on 22 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
my little girl went sandfield from 2 years.
And she really enjoyed her daycare. She is teached how to speak English as we never speak at home.
The staff are very experienced and friendly. They
Give my kid many warmly hugs when she started her new life.
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Review from Claire R (Mother of Child) published on 1 April 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing place. My daughter has progressed rapidly and thrived since starting 3 months ago. All the staff are wonderful, caring and very attentive. My daughter settled very well and loves going. I feel confident and happy leaving her. The food is varied and nutritious, my daughter has thirds it's so
good.
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Review from Agnieszka O (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son recently started at Sandfielt Day Nursery, and I couldn't be happier with our experience so far. The office team has been incredibly helpful and supportive from the very beginning, always available to assist with any queries.
The management team, especially the Manager, has gone above and beyond
to make sure my child feels comfortable and happy. They even arranged extra settling-in sessions to help him adjust at his own pace, which made a huge difference. Since starting, my son has been genuinely happy and excited to go to nursery every time-it's wonderful to see how much he enjoys his time there.
One of our main concerns was my son's eating habits, allergies and sensitivity to certain textures. The manager was extremely understanding and proactive, arranging a meeting with us to create a plan that would support his progress. The collaboration between home and nursery has been fantastic, and I truly appreciate the effort they put into making sure he thrives.
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Review from M C (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All the staff at Sandfield have been absolutely wonderful with settling my 13mo daughter into nursery since she started two months ago. She is very happy there - eats well, sleeps well, plays lots and has already learnt lots of things from her short time there. I couldn't speak more highly about all
the staff in Ladybirds 1!
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Review from R C (Father of Child) published on 19 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I think a very good nursery overall, lots to do, good menu, good activities for learning, staff friendly, admin team and front desk are lovely. The app is very good to know what child is up to and has done, if slept etc. but can be variable when updated during the day depending on if key worker is present
or not. We had a few occasions of nappy not being changed or cleaned properly leading to rash. When key worker moved to another room it threw everything off, which was a shame. I see some staff sat out the back smoking which is both not a good look and a concern about smoke on the clothes/second-hand smoke. Quite expensive compared with childcare elsewhere in the UK. There is also a problem with other parents/carers sitting running cars (fumes) or doing 3-point turns outside the gate.
Reply from Kim Hambridge, Nursery Manager at Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford)
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback. We're delighted to hear that you appreciate the activities, colleagues and overall experience at Sandfield Day Nursery. We value all…read more
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Review from B B (Father of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I could not be happier with Sandfield's nursery. The staff clearly enjoy their job and are always polite and professional. There is a clear personalised development plan every month and detailed reports on progress. The food is healthy and everything is always clean and hygienic. Most importantly carers
form a genuine bond with the children which gives sandfield nursery a personal touch and our son is always happy at drop off and pickup.
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Review from Abigail F (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We moved our two girls from a central London nursery in late 2024 and we honestly could not be happier. Sandfield nursery is excellent, the girls are extremely happy and well cared for. Some of the issues we had with our previous (highly rated) nursery just do not exist at Sandfield, it is built for
purpose and very well run. As a busy doctor the early opening hours and late closing is so helpful and they have a sensible approach when the girls are unwell. I have many colleagues who's children also attend and who are also very pleased with the nursery.
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Review from Tim A (Father of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sandfield Day Nursery is wonderful. Our child has been there for some time now and is flourishing. Everyone is caring and focussed on the children's development. Food options are excellent. Outdoor play is part of every day's events. The nursery involves parents with events and fundraising for the nominated
charity at the time. We are very fortunate to be able to send our child to this nursery.
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Review from Kate J (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We could not be happier with Sandfield! Both of our children have been through the nursery and our younger child will be leaving to start school this year. We will be genuinely sad to leave; the staff have become like family. Everyone is welcoming, kind and caring and each member of staff takes a
real interest in the children they care for.
The preschool room is well-organised and there is a focus on building children's confidence, independence and preparing them for school. We would whole-heartedly recommend this wonderful place to friends (we already have, and will continue to do so).
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Review from C T (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have applied for Sandfield as many friends recommended it and this has been a brilliant choice for our little one! In only one month in the baby room she developed so many skills, she learned to walk and feed herself and she became so confident in herself! She has now moved into the ladybird room
and she is really enjoying all the activities there. The staff is lovely and always happy to help and support any concerns.
The outside space is great and location is perfect if you work for the hospital.
I would recommend Sandfield to all my friends.
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Review from M C (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter is very welcomed by all staff and treated lovely by all. She has thrived since arriving at caterpillars and is now in bumblebee's. You can see her confidence by her lack of tears and her happiness during the day, she has never once shown signs of distress in moving room's which show's how
attentive the staff are with these situations. Sandfield treat my daughter like family and help her grow each day, she constantly comes home learning new things and talking about the ladies in her room.
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Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We wanted Sandfield for our son because my nephew had gone there and loved it - he started part time at 9/10 months old, and then went full time once he was 1, and the entire experience has been amazing. Though our son clearly found the transition from home to nursery challenging, the staff in Caterpillars
have been absolutely amazing in helping him settle, and he clearly has a wonderful time each day. The outside space, the variation in the indoor room over the seasons (the toys and stations available have changed regularly in just the 6 months our son has been there), the timings of the day (necessary to accommodate my job) are all great. Our son eats far more widely than he ever would have with us, he can now use a spoon confidently, and he is so much more sociable - we wouldn't hesitate to recommend Sandfield to anyone.
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Review from Paulina R (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful place! Had here my older daughter and now start nursery with my 1 year old. Lovely and taking care teachers, helpful staff in the reception. Very individual approach to each kid meeting individual needs, specially for small ones.
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Review from V P (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can't imagine a better nursery than Sandfield. Everything is excellent: the facilities, the extended opening hours, the individual care and attention provided by the staff, healthy food for the kids, the communication from the management team. Can't fault them! Both our children started nursery at
9 months old and we've always felt well-supported and had so much confidence that they're being well cared for. The kids are being taught about kindness and social skills as well as counting, colours, reading, writing etc. The nursery embraces diversity and they celebrate festivals across all religions and nationalities. Our children love it and the team make our lives easier. They offer government funded hours and tax free childcare and are always so helpful with how to claim these. 100% recommend!
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Review from R W (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended Sandfield since she was 9 months old, starting in the Caterpillar room where the care she received was impeccable- nothing was ever too much of an ask and she was truly cared for, the ladies genuinely showed passion and support in looking after our most precious little person.
She is now striving in Ladybirds 1, after a very easy transition from her first room. Her development is flourishing and it's lovely to know that the team show such an interest in the children as individuals and meet her needs every time she is in their care.
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Review from Anna H (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son is almost 2 and has been attending Sandfield nursery for nearly 7 months. He loves it and we are thrilled that he settled in so quickly. His key worker is fantastic and really helped him to feel comfortable and welcome in this environment. The facilities are lovely, he eats and sleeps well,
he enjoys being in the garden and the staff are all really kind and approachable. We would and have recommended this nursery!
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Review from A J (Mother of Child) published on 17 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sandfields nursery is an outstanding nursery with caring staff, low turnover and a nurturing environment. My child loves going to nursery and the staff have been instrumental in helping him settle in when he first started. Never had any problems. I love how attentive and engaged the staff are. Lots
of fun and exciting activities for children. Highly recommend!
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.902)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.902) out of 10 for Sandfield 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 29 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 28 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 4.902 for Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) is calculated as follows: ( (321 Excellents x 5) + (18 Goods x 4) + (8 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 347 Ratings = 4.902
  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 Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) is based on 28 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 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
    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 128 number of registered child places is 25.6, which has been reached with 28 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

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Awards / Recognitions (18)

Meet the Team (1)

Kim

Kim Hambridge

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 1995

Kim is the Manager of Sandfield Day Nursery in Headington and has a wealth of experience, having worked in the early years sector for 30 years. Kim has an NVQ Level 3 and 4 in Management and has worked for Childbase Partnership for 25 years.


What is your favourite feature of Sandfield?
My favourite feature of the nursery is our large age-appropriate garden which contains many features designed to nurture the imagination. All age groups have daily access to the area and also use it for eco-activities such as insect observations and vegetable planting.


What are you most proud of about your nursery/team?
I am most proud of the team's dedication.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford)

What is the Age Range of Children that Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) accepts?

Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) Open?

Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) is open: 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.

How many Children does Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) have capacity for?

Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) has capacity for a total of 128 Children.

How far is Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) to the centre of Oxford?

1.9 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Sandfield Day Nursery (Oxford) has an Enhanced Service - more info.