Dicky Birds Day Nursery, Durham Road, Raynes Park

Fresh, nutritious food and time outdoors are an important part of everyday nursery life at Durham Road. Our on-site chef prepares fresh meals each day, while our all-weather garden gives children regular opportunities to enjoy outdoor play throughout the year.

Families can keep up with their child’s progress, achievements and next steps through regular updates and reports on the secure GrandirUK App. We also hold nursery events and activities throughout the year, creating opportunities for families to spend time together and feel part of nursery life.

We value feedback from families and use it to help us understand what is working well and where we can continue to develop the experiences we offer.

Children at Durham Road enjoy a varied mix of activities, including Boogie Mites, Teddy Tennis and Early Years PE. A specialist games provider also visits each week, with activities that give children opportunities to develop teamwork, coordination, counting and sharing through active play.

Forest School sessions give children opportunities to explore and learn in nature, while regular outings around Raynes Park take learning beyond the nursery and into the local community.

Our nursery on Durham Road has dedicated areas for arts and crafts and music and movement, alongside an all-weather outdoor space. Rooms are thoughtfully arranged with natural and open-ended resources, reflecting the elements of the Curiosity Approach that shape learning at the nursery.

Children move into their next room when they are developmentally and emotionally ready. The homely, close-knit layout helps children become familiar with the wider nursery environment, supporting continuity as they move from one space to the next.

Outdoor space

Our spacious garden is designed for outdoor play throughout the year, with plenty of opportunities for children to explore and be active in different weather. In our growing garden, children can plant, tend and harvest what they grow, bringing our Eco School learning to life through hands-on experiences.

Forest School sessions give our preschool children further opportunities to explore and learn in a natural environment. Regular outings also take children into the local Raynes Park community, including visits to nearby parks, the library and Deen City Farm.

Our large entrance area has a regularly refreshed selection of home learning resources for families to borrow, helping children continue their play and learning at home. There is also a lending library, giving families a choice of books to take home and enjoy together.

Care at Durham Road starts with getting to know each child as an individual. Our team take time to understand their routines, interests and what helps them feel comfortable and settled, so the care they receive can respond to their individual needs.

We work closely with families too, listening to their experiences and feedback and using these conversations to help shape nursery life at Durham Road.

Our curriculum at Durham Road embraces elements of the Curiosity Approach, using natural resources and a homely environment to encourage children to explore, investigate and use their imagination.

Our bespoke education programmes complement this approach with a range of experiences designed to support different areas of learning and development, giving children more opportunities to communicate, create, investigate and follow their curiosity.

We believe children learn best in environments that invite curiosity and exploration. At Durham Road, elements of the Curiosity Approach help shape warm, homely spaces where natural resources and open-ended materials encourage children to investigate, create and discover for themselves.

Children have opportunities to handle different materials, test their ideas and solve problems through play, supporting the development of communication, independence and confidence.

Having brothers and sisters at Durham Road can make nursery life simpler for families, with one drop-off close to Raynes Park Station. Each child has a space designed around their own age and stage, while our homely, close-knit setting gives siblings opportunities to see each other in the garden and around the nursery.

Being part of the same nursery also means families get to know one team throughout their children’s time with us. Sibling places are subject to availability, but where we have space, our team will be happy to explore the options for brothers and sisters.

Nursery Manager Sian leads the experienced team at Dicky Birds Durham Road. Together, they work closely with families to understand each child’s interests, abilities and individual needs, helping to shape learning and experiences around them.

Our qualified SENCo works alongside the wider team and families to understand where additional support may be needed and help each child take part fully in nursery life.