Downside Nursery

Opening hours

Open 5 days a week during term time (38 weeks per year), with additional holiday school weeks.

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Registered with Ofsted

1986

Liz Mathew

6 months ago

Our two boys had a wonderful experience at Downside Nursery School. The staff have all been there for years and as a result it has a family feel that you and your children become a part of. The nursery has a great outdoor space for playing and learning. Children get involved in a variety of experiences, from growing veg to seeing tadpoles turn in to frogs. During winter, if it snows they get the sleds out and in summer they have sprinkler fun. Weekly music and playball sessions were a highlight for my boys and these lessons extended their skill set. The nursery introduces structured learning for the kids as they move into the senior room. Learning is based around a letter of the week and number games are all done in a relaxed and fun manner which really prepares them for school. The team builds a great relationship with children and sets up games and activities to keep the children engaged and always wanting to spend time there. We cannot recommend Downside Nursery highly enough. The staff are what make it such a magical place and our boys have such fond memories of the nursery and the teachers.

Alexis Jenkins

8 months ago

Downside Nursery School has been an integral part of my family's life for the past 6 years. I am so happy we chose Downside because each of my three children - who all have very different personalities and interests - have thrived there. Sophie, Krys and the team get to know each child individually and put so much care into developing the whole child in each case. They offer a wonderful range of activities, including French, music, sport and art all taught by specialist teachers, but they are so gentle and creative that the children just think they are playing. The staff also make an effort to get to know the whole family and are very supportive of the big transition moments, like heading to big school! Each of my children was ready for primary school in no small part because of the way Downside prepared them. I am so sad our Downside era is over, but so happy we found it.

Laura Moretti

2 years ago

Downside Nursery is an absolute gem! We are so grateful we found this fantastic family run nursery. We relocated from London and couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful and caring nursery to transition to so smoothly. From first contact Sophie, the nursery manager, was so helpful and responsive and supported both my son and our family to settle in so well. The staff are so caring and foster a real nurturing environment which helps the younger ones to settle into the junior room and carries through into the senior room which prepares them brilliantly for their next step to school. It’s testament to Sophie and Krys that all the staff have been with the nursery for number of years which also adds to the supportive environment and real family feel you get when you are there. They have a fabulous outside space with huge playground, lots of fun climbing equipment, a pond, cars, trikes and a playing field - this was a real hit with my son and he was always so excited to get to nursery! They put on an impressive Christmas show and a brilliant sports day which is fun for all the family and a lovely way to celebrate the end of the school year. They work hard to prepare the children so well for school, they have a programme of work with planned activities the children can chose to get involved and encourage learning through play. I was so impressed with my little ones development at nursery and his ability to count, recognise letters, sound out the phonics and write simple words. This has given him such a head start with school this year and helped him to settle in to the routine so well. I couldn’t recommend Downside highly enough. We’ve made friends for life and I am looking forward to being back with my second as soon as he is 2! Thank you so much to Sophie, Krys and the fantastic Downside team!

Natalie

a year ago

A truly lovely playschool with a very experienced team who have a genuine affinity with toddlers. A kind, thoughtful, and completely trustworthy early years setting with a beautiful and spacious outdoor playground area. Sophie, Chrys, Angela, Sue and Sally all stand out as exceptionally connected with the children, offering them endless enthusiasm and real connection. I feel very lucky my child started their learning journey here. There is a good spread of activities- indoor and outdoor - and a happy community of children and parents. Thank you to the whole team!

Kate Spooner

2 years ago

Downside Nursery is exceptional. The staff are incredible and have created the most wonderful nurturing environment where my eldest has flourished. They have prepared him so well for starting school - we can't thank you enough. We could not recommend Downside Nursery more highly - our youngest is about to start there and can't wait!