Downside Nursery

Reviews

1. Liz Mathew ★★★★★

   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.

   almost 4 months ago
2. Alexis Jenkins ★★★★★

   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.

   almost 5 months ago
3. Natalie ★★★★★

   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!

   1 year ago

1. Laura Moretti ★★★★★

   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!

   almost 2 years ago
2. Kate Spooner ★★★★★

   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!

   almost 2 years ago
3. Alexis Jenkins (UK) ★★★★★

   Downside Nursery is exceptional. My eldest daughter left there this summer after two very happy years and has settled into her primary school amazingly easily. I know this is down to the care, dedication, passion and quality of teaching she received at Downside which meant she was so well prepared for the next step. My son is still at Downside and his development has increased exponentially in the year he has been there; his language, his physical abilities and his socialisation have all been enhanced. In addition, it is a pleasure to interact with Sophie and the whole teaching staff who are always so warm, supportive and engaged in each child and their needs. Parents feel like we are in a team with the teachers which is so important for each child's own personalised development. I am so pleased we found Downside and am looking forward to sending our youngest daughter there when she is old enough!

   almost 4 years ago

1. Kate Duxberry ★★★★★

   I don’t even know where to start! My daughter went to Downside for 1 year before starting school and I wish we had found it sooner! Having been to a couple of local nursery’s Downside stood out above the rest by a country mile. It is a family run nursery that the owner and manager (mother and daughter) really do love working at, and the enthusiasm that they meet the children with every day is infectious. The huge range of activities they do is brilliant. The care and attention for each child is enormous. My daughter is now so confident and ready for school. I couldn’t recommend this nursery more highly if I tried and I am so excited for my son to join in January. Thank you for the amazing memories Downside!

   almost 4 years ago
2. James Irvine ★★★★★

   Downside Nursery and it’s highly dedicated team of staff provide a lovely caring, intimate and nurturing environment that has given both our children the best of starts. In the three years our children have been at nursery they have both been so happy and only excited to be going in. The nursery have been fantastic with getting them school ready and their staff provide great feedback on their learning progress. The Sports Days in their lovely outdoor play area is always a huge highlight and lovely end to the academic year.

   almost 5 years ago
3. Katharine Underwood ★★★★★

   Downside Nursery is a truly exceptional pre-school in every single way. From the second our son started there, we saw him flourish - the staff there are absolute superstars and the care and support they offer to all the children is second to none. It really is a special place and as a family we feel so fortunate to have discovered it. Our daughter is already signed up to begin as soon as she is old enough - we feel incredibly lucky to have secured a place for her and can’t wait for her to begin her adventure in such a fantastic and caring nursery.

   almost 5 years ago

1. Lisa Harradine ★★★★★

   We moved to Cobham a couple of years ago and Downside nursery is one of the reasons why we have settled in so well into the community. The nursery has a unique warm “family” style atmosphere with a great sense of community. Our daughter settled in straight away as did our son who couldn’t wait to follow his sister in joining Downside. The owner and manager is passionate and dedicated in providing the best care and education for all the children. She is supported by an amazingly talented team who have been consistent through the time we have been at Downside. Both of our children have grown into confident, caring and are happy little people, well prepared for the next stage of school.

   almost 5 years ago

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