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Julia Durbin Day Nursery

Ofsted: Strong standard·Old Road, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7JU · Oxfordshire
Number of places
164 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2026
Local authority
Oxfordshire

About this day nursery

Julia Durbin Day Nursery, established in 1994, is a childcare setting for children aged 0-4 years, located in Oxford. The nursery received an 'Outstanding' rating at their latest Ofsted inspection on 15th January 2026.

The setting prides itself on its high-quality, inclusive curriculum which is expertly adapted to stimulate each child's development from their individual starting points, ensuring they are exceptionally well prepared for their transitions within the nursery and eventually to school. With a strong focus on communication and language development, staff introduce sign language to children including those with English as an additional language, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and younger children, helping them to find differing ways to communicate.

The nursery also offers rich outdoor learning experiences, from younger children exploring different weathers to older children becoming tenacious climbers and learning about global weather events. Leaders are highly reflective and receptive to change, consistently evaluating and improving all aspects of the nursery, and they foster strong relationships with families, actively involving parents in their children's learning journeys.

The provision provided for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is particularly commendable.

Our ethos

Julia Durbin Day Nursery focuses on providing a safe, secure, and healthy environment for children, with a strong emphasis on outdoor play and environmental education. They believe in fostering children's development through stimulating activities aligned with EYFS principles and promote a balanced diet for overall well-being. The nursery values strong partnerships with parents and uses their Parentzone app to keep them updated on their child's progress. They also incorporate Harry the Health, Safety and Environment hippo to teach children about important safety topics in a fun and engaging way.

What it's like

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make significant progress from their individual starting points. They demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning and a real excitement and enthusiasm to learn and find out more. Parents are actively involved in all aspects of their children's learning and this is highly beneficial for children's progress.

Strong progressInclusive curriculumOutdoor learningEffective communicationSupportive environment

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Food

Freshly prepared well-balanced meals and snacks are included in the fees. The nursery promotes healthy eating and social mealtimes.

Opening hours

7:00am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding inset days and public holidays

Term time / All Year

All_year

Session types

Full Day

Established

1994

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Jan 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
0 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Julia Durbin Day Nursery

Last inspected 15 January 2026

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make significant progress from their individual starting points. They demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning and a real excitement and enthusiasm to learn and find out more. Parents are actively involved in all aspects of their children's learning and this is highly beneficial for children's progress.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are exceptionally well prepared for moving rooms within the nursery.
  • The respectful, kind and caring environment at the nursery stimulates children to become considerate and well-adjusted individuals.
  • Leaders and staff make consistent and extensive plans to ensure that all children receive tailored experiences that enable them to make rapid progress.
  • Staff are acutely aware of the barriers some children face in their education and are successful in ensuring all children make swift progress.
  • The high-quality curriculum is fully inclusive and expertly adapted to stimulate children's development.
  • Leaders are astutely reflective and receptive to change, making comprehensive evaluations of all aspects of the nursery.

Areas to develop

  • 1The provider should build on the solid foundations for increasing children's understanding of ways they can develop their physical health during daily activities.
Inspection #10257276 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff's deep understanding of the support children need ensures smooth transitions for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children facing learning barriers. Staff quickly identify when learning isn't progressing as expected and create extensive, well-timed support plans. Children with SEND and those experiencing disadvantage flourish positively under the nursery's expert care, with commendable provision.

Outdoor space

Outdoors, younger children explore different weathers, such as jumping in puddles and being fascinated with frost and ice. Older children take this interest further by learning about hurricanes, with staff teaching them about the impact of adverse weather globally. The oldest children become tenacious climbers, enjoying the tree house and using tools and equipment skillfully.

EAL / language support

Support for children who speak English as an additional language is especially effective. Staff foster children's communication in multiple ways, including teaching sign language, so children quickly find different ways to communicate.

Inspection history

Date: September 2011

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Outstanding). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • November 2022Outstanding
  • October 2017Outstanding
  • August 2014Outstanding
  • February 2014Requires improvement
  • September 2011Good

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more