Our Group

A growing family

The Old Station Nursery Group was established in 2002 when we opened our very first nursery. Since then, the company has grown steadily, creating a similar feeling and ethos in each setting while nourishing each nursery’s unique strengths. The Old Station Nursery Group comprises of 79 exceptional nurseries across the UK.

Every year, Nursery World releases a Nursery Chains article which ranks nursery groups in size. We are proud to announce that we are ranked at 13 in this league.

Children playing with building blocks infront of a play tent 
Our Group

Carefully chosen because they bring smiles to all of our children

Every single member of staff at The Old Station Nursery Group shares one essential quality: they love working with and caring for children. For them, it’s a vocation and not just a job.

2002
Year established
79
Nurseries in our group
1
Key carer for every child
5335
Nursery places across the UK

2023 award winners

Large Nursery Group of the Year

In November 2023, The Old Station Nursery Group was honoured with the Large Nursery Group of the Year Award by Nursery Management Today! 🏆

This achievement is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional early childhood education. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team members, who work tirelessly to create a nurturing and enriching environment for our young learners.

We are proud of this recognition and remain committed to setting the standard in early years education.

More about the awards
21st National NMT Awards – Winner Logo
  • Bambino day nurseries logo
  • ChooChoos Day Nurseries Logo
  • My First Friends Nurseries Logo
  • The Old Station Nursery Logo
  • Sandhills Day Nursery Logo
  • Sixpenny Day Nursery Logo
  • The Old Station Nursery Group - Creating Brighter Futures Together
  • Sunhill Day Nurseries Logo
  • Townsend Montessori Nurseries Logo
  • Good Manors Nurseries Logo
  • HDC Nursery Logo
  • Little Green Rascals Logo

Our history

Explore our achievements over the past 20 years

Over the last two decades, The Old Station Nursery Group is proud to have achieved a number of accomplishments and key milestones. Through these achievements and milestones, it has been possible for us to progress with our mission to Create Brighter Futures Together for all of our children, parents and teams. On the right are just a few highlights of the group’s accomplishments over the past 20 years. Explore our timeline to discover more.

  • February 2019: Joined La Maison Bleue
  • October 2021: Member of Parliament visits Sunhill Colchester
  • March 2022: Nursery World Business Summit: Building for the future- featuring expert speakers including Sarah Steel
  • May 2023: The Old Station Nursery Group grows to 79 nursery settings
  • June 2023: Adelle Taylor becomes CEO at The Old Station Nursery Group
  • June 2023: Sarah Steel becomes Chairperson at The Old Station Nursery Group
  • February 2002
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Faringdon
  • August 2007
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Filkins
  • June 2008
    WASPS opening
  • March 2009
    Sarah Steel publishes “All Aboard: for Fun and Activities with TOSN"
  • February 2010
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Innsworth
  • September 2012
    ITV documentary on childcare costs to feature The Old Station Nursery Group - “the true cost of childcare"
  • April 2013
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Henley
  • October 2013
    Took part in the first Parenting Expo to be held at Lincoln Showground
  • January 2014
    Sarah Steel wrote the first ‘hot topics’ column for Nursery Management Today
  • June 2014
    Filkins nursery listed in daynurseries.co.uk 2014 Top 10 Nursery Awards
  • July 2014
    Sarah Steel wins Nursery Sector Champion Award
  • July 2014
    Mottershead Drive wins Nursery Sector Champion Award
  • July 2014
    Mottershead Drive wins National Top 10 Influencer Award
  • July 2014
    Faringdon became finalists in a National Award
  • November 2014
    Filkins receives 'outstanding' in local press
  • June 2016
    Sarah Steel wins national Top 10 Influencer award
  • November 2016
    The Old Station Nursery Group signs the lease for Oxford Science Park Nursery
  • February 2017
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Oxford
  • March 2017
    The Old Station Nursery opens Mottershead Drive
  • May 2017
    Sarah Steel honoured with 'Top 10' Influencer’s listing
  • June 2017
    Filkins achieve Millie’s mark award
  • September 2017
    Filkins listed in the Tatler School’s Guide
  • February 2018
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Heyford
  • January 2018
    The Old Station Nursery opens in Bampton
  • November 2018
    St Gabriel’s Academy, Houlton Nursery opens, Julie Rees wins ‘Manager of the Year’ at NMT Awards
  • February 2019
    The Old Station Nursery Group joined La Maison Bleue
  • October 2019
    Premier Nurseries joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • November 2019
    Trade press article on the sale of Lincoln nurseries
  • December 2019
    Sandhills Nursery Group joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • March 2020
    Small Friends Day Nursery joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • July 2020
    Mottershead Drive chosen to participate in the publication of ‘My First Poem 2020 – Creative Stars’
  • July 2020
    Mottershead Dr publication of ‘My First Poem’ Young Writers
  • August 2020
    Alvechurch undergoes huge refurbishment
  • August 2020
    Wombourne raise £140 for NHS
  • November 2020
    Nursery nurse from OSN up for a National Award
  • November 2020
    Sunhill Day Nurseries joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • February 2021
    Bambino Day Nurseries joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • March 2021
    Choochoos Day Nursery joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • July 2021
    One of our Nursery Area Managers was shortlisted for the National Nursery World Awards 2021
  • July 2021
    Sandhills Day Nurseries has been awarded a ‘Top 20 Rated Nursery Group 2021’ Daynurseries.co.uk Award
  • July 2021
    The Old Station Nursery has been awarded a ‘Top 20 Rated Nursery Group 2021’ Daynurseries.co.uk Award
  • August 2021
    One of our nursery Room Leaders was selected for the final for the ‘Nursery Room Leader’ category in the national NMT Nursery Awards 2021
  • September 2021
    Sarah Steel, CEO of The Old Station Nursery Group becomes Chair of National Day Nurseries Association
  • September 2021
    Houlton moves site to open bigger, new nursery
  • October 2021
    Member of Parliament visits Sunhill Colchester
  • November 2021
    My First Friends joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • November 2021
    Local MP and mayor of rugby opens OSN Houlton
  • December 2021
    Little Roos joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • January 2022
    Sixpenny joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • January 2022
    Polkadot joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • February 2022
    Both Innsworth nurseries achieve Millie’s Mark Award.
  • March 2022
    Townsend Montessori joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • March 2022
    Nursery World Business Summit: Building for the future- featuring expert speakers including Sarah Steel, CEO
  • March 2022
    Good Manors joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • May 2022
    Townsend Montessori Margate receives Ofsted 'Outstanding'
  • June 2022
    Sarah Steel recognised as 'Woman to Watch' by Business Women in Education
  • June 2022
    The Old Station Nursery Group awarded ‘Top 20 Rated Nursery Group' by daynurseries.co.uk
  • June 2022
    Sandhills Day Nurseries awarded 'Top 20 Mid-Sized Nursery Group' by daynurseries.co.uk
  • June 2022
    The Old Station Nursery Group celebrates 20 Years of Excellence at Faringdon
  • June 2022
    Small Friends Day Nursery receives Ofsted 'Outstanding'
  • July 2022
    The Old Station Nursery in Faringdon receives second Millie's Mark award
  • August 2022
    HDC joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • August 2022
    Catherine House Day Nurseries joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • March 2023
    Little Green Rascals Joins The Old Station Nursery Group
  • March 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Group Raises £3677 For Comic Relief
  • May 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Group Raises £1800 For Cancer Research UK
  • June 2023
    Sandhills Day Nurseries Win National Daynurseries.co.uk Award
  • June 2023
    Sarah Steel Becomes Chairwoman at The Old Station Nursery Group
  • June 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Group Proudly Welcomes New CEO, Adelle Taylor
  • July 2023
    hdc named as Outstanding Apprenticeship Employers
  • August 2023
    The Brighter Learning Approach Launches Across All Settings
  • September 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Henley Undergoes Major Refurbishment And Features In Local Press
  • October 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Group Raises £1,436.45 For Macmillan Cancer Support
  • October 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Marlow Undergoes Major Refurbishment And Features In Local Press
  • November 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Group Raises Over £1,500 For Children In Need
  • November 2023
    Wylde Green Manager Donna Reid Wins Nursery Manager Award at the Nursery Management Today Awards 2023
  • November 2023
    The Old Station Nursery Group Wins Large Group of the Year Award at NMT Awards 2023

Our Group

Providing high-quality childcare across the UK

Our group

Mergers & Acquisitions at The Old Station Nursery Group

We are always looking for nurseries to join our growing family. If you would like to learn more about The Old Station Nursery Group, we would love to talk to you. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Newly acquired nursery

Proud to be independently reviewed and graded by daynurseries.co.uk

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