Little Downsend Leatherhead

13 Epsom Road, Leatherhead KT22 8ST
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9.3 40 Reviews
  • Little Downsend Leatherhead, Leatherhead
Little Downsend Leatherhead is a wonderful setting for children from the ages of 2 to 7, combining a warm and caring environment with an innovative, playful and vibrant approach to learning.

At Little Downsend Leatherhead, and all the Little Downsend Schools, there is an equal focus on ensuring children are happy, settled and cared for, whilst creating the very best foundation for mastering early learning skills. Class sizes are deliberately small so children benefit from personalised learning programmes and the chance to embrace every subject with curiosity and adventure.

Specialist Teaching is a key part of a Downsend education, with even the littlest benefitting from weekly lessons in French, dance, technology, Forest School, music and games. From Reception, all children visit the main school to make use of the 25m pool, and from 2022 will be able to stage performances in the 200 seat auditorium as part of the main school's £5m Creative Arts Centre development.

Teaching staff are all qualified teachers and are dedicated to ensuring that every Downsend child feels part of the family, is supported to achieve their very best, and is presented with the very best opportunities, whatever their age. Children achieve excellent academic results, far exceeding National and Surrey averages in every area.

All children in Nursery are supported to use technology appropriately, working with iPads and the very best ed-tech apps to support their learning. Little Downsend has joined the Microsoft Showcase Schools Programme and is currently following the Incubator Pathway.

Little Downsend Leatherhead offers flexible options, monthly payments and a pay-as-you-go holiday club.
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Funding & Fees

First Steps (Age 2) and Rising Reception (Age 3):
A full day runs from: 07:45 – 16:00 at a cost of £97.91.
Extended Day runs from: 16:00 – 18:00 at a daily cost of £20.
Little Downsend offers different rates depending on how many half days per week your child will be with us.
Little Downsend offers a 'pay as you go' holiday club.

Please note, that we provide monthly payment options for our nursery year groups.

Contact Little Downsend Leatherhead to get a personalised quote.

Contact Little Downsend Leatherhead to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Laura Fisher (Head of Little Downsend)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 50

Total Places for Children

  • 70

Age Range

  • from 2 years 0 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Holiday club offered

Little Downsend Leatherhead Reviews (40)

9.3

Little Downsend Leatherhead has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.339) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Downsend Leatherhead has 40 reviews.

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Review from Henry S (Father of Child) published on 23 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have two children who attend (one has moved up to Junior School) and my experience has been positive in every respect. In particular, I noticed that my children's behaviour improved and that they became more courteous. They also seemed to enjoy their time at school more compared to where they were
before. They also have an excellent kids club that works throughout most of the holidays.
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Review from M M (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our youngest child is currently in Year 1 have been at Little Downsend Leatherhead since she was two. We cannot fault the quality of education that she has received, and every morning she looks forward to spending another day there. All the teachers and assistants that we have experience with are superb,
and couldn't be happier! We would have no hesitation in recommending anyone sending their child/children there.
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Review from Tina B (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have three children, one is in Rising Reception, one in Year One, and my eldest has just moved from Little Downsend to the Downsend Leatherhead Main site as she is now in year 2. All of my children are very different and all are thriving and most of all they are so happy. They all really enjoy going
to school. So as a parent you really couldn’t ask for more.
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Review from Emily (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Little Downsend Leatherhead have managed the COVID situation really well. My son has thrived in the past 3 years at the school. The facilities are great with lots of outdoor space and forest school. There are good links for moving to junior school. The classes are small and the teachers
fantastic. All the extra activities make this school great like swimming, dance, French, football club etc.
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Review from Lucy C (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My children settled well into the nursery and are very happy to attend. The children enjoy the activities available. There is good communication between the school and parents. They have managed well in the current difficult situation.
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Review from Kelly M (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I’ve had two children attend Little Downsend (one still does) and it’s been the most supportive and nurturing environment. Our daughter started as soon as she turned two and I never worried about leaving her, as she settled in immediately thanks to the amazing staff. She’s now the eldest at the school
and is a confident young lady who has a love of learning. The staff are all so approachable and they really do go above and beyond. We’ve been extremely happy here and will be sad when our time comes to an end.
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Review from Nia C (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son joined Little Downsend Leatherhead in September 2020. He was made to feel extremely welcome and has been very happy there from the outset. The progress he has made in a short space of time is fantastic. The teachers are approachable, very caring and dedicated to what they do. We couldn’t recommend
highly enough. We also have a daughter at Downsend in the Junior School which is equally as good.
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Review from Roxane (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter moved here three months ago from a local nursery and to say she adores it is an understatement. As a two-and-a-half-year-old, she ran in on day one waving and each day, we are amazed at how happy she comes home, full of the joys of her day. The staff throughout the school are wonderful,
warm and welcoming at all levels and the updates we receive really do let us in on the school day. Nothing is too much trouble and we don’t know how they manage to fit it all in. The lessons are varied and fun, including French, music, cookery, stage stars, forest school and the after school club of ballet has our daughter entranced. She has already started to try and read and sound out letters and she is saying the odd French word from the songs and stories they’ve had in French. She has come on leaps and bounds in the few months she has been there. I’m only sad we hadn’t discovered the school for our older child. This place is outstanding; nurturing in its care and philosophy.
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Review from Kim C (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Downsend is the most nurturing, exciting and welcoming environment. The enthusiasm and care from the staff mirrors the enthusiasm and excitement the kids have towards their learning environment. Everyone at the school cares about every child and they couldn’t do more to help. My daughter is loving
her time here and can’t wait to learn more with her friends and move through the school. 10/10 from our family.
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Review from Katja H (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Little Downsend Leatherhead managed the "new normal" very well. With this they enabled my son to have a very diverse and joyful school experience. The small class size is a plus in itself, the teachers / teacher's assistant and all the other staff generate a very positive environment for
the children. Next to excellent teaching in a great environment (creative class rooms, wonderful outdoor areas behind the school) all the extra activities make this school very special: various sports (multisports and football club, swimming lessons at the pool at the Downsend Main Site), dance sessions, Forest School just to name a few. They are also on top of introducing digital learning tools into the classroom, e.g. digital whiteboard, online learning tools.
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Review from Sarah J (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We cannot praise Little Downsend Leatherhead enough, it’s such a supporting and nurturing environment for the children. Our eldest has loved his time in both the nursery and the pre school. He currently attends Reception and goes into school every day with a smile. The curriculum is varied and engaging
from nursery through to year 1 with both classroom-based and outdoor learning. All the teachers and staff know the children so well and genuinely care about their welfare. More recently, the COVID management has been incredibly good and thorough. It is a wonderful nursery/school.
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Review from Gayle H (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves it here, very pleased with the level of care and teaching. Holiday club also very good.
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Review from Ingrid (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has thrived emotionally and academically at Downsend Pre-Prep Leatherhead. All staff members are wonderfully warm and kind to the children. I love that each teacher and teaching assistant knows my son well, and how he is greeted by name at the door every morning. I have always felt happy leaving
my son at Downsend knowing he is in great hands.
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Review from Liz W (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have had two children at the pre-prep and the school has done a wonderful job of preparing them for the lower school. We have been very happy with the curriculum and club activities that are offered, and feel that the warm, family atmosphere has helped them to thrive. Going to school is fun for them
and they are always happy to attend.
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Review from Anandi S (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Staff are wonderful throughout the school, everyone knows the children and are so welcoming. The nursery staff are kind and compassionate with a wonderful manner. The head of the nursery is brilliant, she keeps the children behaving well but at the same time is soft and kind.
Thank you.
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Review from Alice G (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter joined the Leatherhead Lodge in January 2016 in First Steps and is now in Rising Reception. She has progressed in leaps and bounds at Downsend, and is coming along amazingly with her numeracy and literacy skills. Her little brother joined in January 2018 and has taken to it like a duck
to water. We have not got a bad word to say about the school. Downsend’s teaching body is second to none, the running of the school is well organised and the facilities are propitious to learning inside and outside of the classroom. Downsend instils in children the curiosity to expand their knowledge of the world around them, and learning becomes a fun, exciting and engaging process for both pupils and parents.
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Review from Michelle W (Mother of Child) published on 7 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love this school, they offer a great level of flexibility for parents just wanting to give their kids a taste of school life and stimulate their learning, through to the working parent who needs full time care. My child loves the school and teachers. He has made some wonderful friends and chats constantly
about the activities they’ve been doing.
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Review from Elisa H (Mother of Child) published on 6 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been very happy with my child's progress at Downsend Leatherhead Lodge. It is a very caring and nurturing environment, where there is little pressure and the children are encouraged to do their best.
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Review from Lesley (Mother of Child) published on 6 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Downsend Pre-Prep Leatherhead has been wonderful for our elder daughter (4). The facilities are great and the staff are warm and dedicated and it feels like a home away from home. Our younger daughter (2) will be starting in September and I’ve no doubt that she will be just as happy there.
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Review from Jilly H (Mother of Child) published on 6 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both our children have been to Downsend Pre-prep Leatherhead and they love it! Such an amazing close community with lovely, friendly approachable teachers. Great outdoor space and a verity of activities to get involved in. The days are varied with a good balance of work, sport, dance and play.
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Current Review Score: 9.3 (9.339)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.3 (9.339) out of 10 for Little Downsend Leatherhead 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 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 10 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 4.875 for Little Downsend Leatherhead is calculated as follows: ( (107 Excellents x 5) + (11 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 120 Ratings = 4.875
  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 4.464 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Downsend Leatherhead is based on 10 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 = 3.75
    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 70 number of registered child places is 14. 10 Positive Reviews ÷ 14 = 0.714
  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 (7)

Meet the Team (1)

Laura

Laura Fisher

Job Title: Head of Little Downsend Joined: 2026

Appointed as Head of Little Downsend in 2026, Laura has a strong background in Early Years, SEN and school leadership. She brings with her a deep-rooted belief in nurturing creativity, curiosity and confidence in every child. Her experience spans leadership roles across independent prep schools, and she is passionate about inspiring a lifelong love of learning through creativity, exploration, play and personalised teaching.


Laura is committed to helping every child thrive and to supporting families in these most important early years of education. She believes in leading by example, continually deepening her knowledge and understanding of education in today’s fast-evolving landscape, where adaptability and innovation are essential.


Laura looks forward to working in partnership with staff, families, and the wider school community to nurture creativity, champion high standards, and continue building a dynamic and inclusive learning culture where every child is supported to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

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