The nursery on Woodstock Road is the fourth now offered exclusively for university staff and is run by Kidsunlimited. Architects Spratley Studios carried out a thoughtful conversion to provide a bright and spacious learning environment.
At Oxford University, the demand for nursery places vastly outstrips provision and the University’s Estates Department identified 92 Woodstock Road as the most desirable location to provide additional provision.
Spratley Studios was appointed as lead architect to develop a space which provided capacity for 60 full-time places, along with activities such as after-school and homework clubs for school-age children and outdoor space for both nursery play and parking.
The original architectural features of what was the former African Studies building include windows, skirtings and coving, which have been carefully restored and replicated. Nursery accommodation is now provided on the ground and first floors, with operations and extended services housed on the second floor. Five new teaching spaces complete with WC, nappy changing and storage have been created.
Each room is colour coded relating to the age group of the children and includes a graphic feature wall, and textured flooring. Outside, recycled concrete paving and artificial grass provide a safe play area.
Louise Edwards, head of Childcare Services at the University of Oxford, said, ‘The bespoke design of this nursery ensures that parents, children, staff and visitors all feel safe, secure and happy within the nursery environment. The creativity, innovation and inspiration from the team at Spratley Studios made the initial concept of a functional workplace nursery within an old Victorian building come to life.’