Oak Tree Day Nursery

A mud kitchen, fruit and vegetable planting, and space for climbing give Oak Tree Day Nursery a practical, outdoorsy character. Its detached house in Streatham Hill accommodates babies through to preschool children, with a garden divided between equipment-based play and a natural surface. There is room for both energetic movement and slower exploration.

At its October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 62 children and accepts children from three months to five years. French, Yoga, Music and Fun sports add to the play-based day, with no extra charge for fee-paying children.

Rooms and Ages

The Baby Unit, Toddler Unit and Preschool Unit provide the nursery's stage-based organisation. The overall age range spans early infancy to preparation for school, so the experience needs to change substantially as children grow.

In October 2023, babies selected books to share with their key person and took part in rhymes and songs. Older children discussed favourite books together, then used ideas from their reading to create stories of their own. This gives a concrete picture of language learning: listening and conversation lead into children expressing their own ideas.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS guides learning through play, with activities shaped around children's development and interests. French, Music, Fun sports and Yoga supplement that framework; these activities carry no additional charge for fee-paying children. Their inclusion makes the day broader than room-based play alone.

In October 2023, staff introduced vocabulary during conversations and used questions to develop children's understanding. Children also explored cultures and celebrations. Those experiences connected language with social learning, giving children things to talk about as well as opportunities to practise talking.

Outdoor and Community Life

The garden has two different surfaces and purposes. Adventure playground equipment sits on an impact-resistant area, while the bark-covered section contains planting pots and a mud kitchen. The combination allows physical play and hands-on investigation within the same outdoor setting.

In October 2023, children used the outdoor space for running and climbing, alongside physical activities indoors. Regular outings included theatre visits, museums and an aquarium, plus local walks. These experiences extended the day beyond the nursery's own resources; the frequency was regular rather than tied to a stated weekly schedule.

Relationships and Communication

In October 2023, key persons used their knowledge of individual children to plan around their interests and learning needs. Daily updates told parents about children's learning. That combination matters: activities can respond to the child, while parents have a concrete account of what occupied their day.

Independence was practised in small, everyday tasks. In October 2023, babies were encouraged to use tissues and dispose of them, while older children collected a nappy when they recognised that they needed changing. These are modest steps, but they give children an active part in personal care rather than leaving every task to an adult.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In October 2023, sharing, kindness and listening were part of daily interactions. Younger children practised playing alongside others; older children took turns during shared reading. Preparation for school included attention to social and emotional development, recognising that moving on involves relationships and confidence as well as learning activities.

The October 2023 inspection identified three teaching priorities: some staff needed to give the youngest children more freedom to explore, routines needed greater flexibility to protect their engagement, and older children needed more demanding learning opportunities. These are meaningful qualifications to the Good judgement, covering both ends of the nursery's age range.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 58 Blairderry Road, London, SW2 4SB. Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates for 50 weeks each year, with a week-long closure in August and another at Christmas, plus bank holidays and three staff training days; closure dates are issued two years ahead. Families arranging year-round care should build those breaks into their plans.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8674 4844 or through the contact form. The age range runs from three months to five years, covering babies, toddlers and preschool children.

Funding and Paid Extras

In October 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. French, Yoga, Fun sports and Music are included at no extra cost for fee-paying children; that condition matters when comparing attendance arrangements. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Youngest children's exploration. The October 2023 teaching priorities included more freedom to investigate and fewer interruptions from routines. On a visit, ask how staff protect a baby or toddler's sustained play when the timetable moves on.
• Challenge before school. Older children's activities did not consistently stretch their learning in October 2023. Ask for examples of how a familiar activity becomes more demanding as a child develops.
• The complete attendance package. Opening hours span the working day, and the enrichment charge condition specifically refers to fee-paying children. What booking patterns and funded arrangements are offered, and how are meals and non-food consumables handled?
• Planned closures. August and Christmas each include a week-long break, alongside bank holidays and three staff training days. The advance closure calendar gives families a practical basis for arranging alternative care.

Oak Tree suits families seeking play-based care across the baby, toddler and preschool stages, with outdoor exploration and included enrichment for fee-paying children. Its garden offers more than a single-purpose play surface, and the October 2023 account gives concrete examples of books, conversation and everyday independence. The balance rests on teaching: opportunities for the youngest to explore and for older children to stretch themselves deserve close attention when choosing it.