“My daughter attended Blooming Years for 3 years and I will be forever thankful for the amazing teachers for fostering a nurturing environment. This has provided her with brilliant foundations, enabling her confidence, curiosity and resilience to flourish. Thank you for loving her so much!”
9 Heathfield Road, CR0 1EY
A nursery Shirley families trust, just minutes away
If you live near Shirley Hills or along the Shirley Road corridor, Blooming Years Nursery on Heathfield Road is one of the closest full-day nurseries to you, and one of the most straightforward to reach on a school-run morning. Shirley has always had a strong sense of community and good schools, and parents here tend to think carefully about the foundations they are building for their children. We would love to show you around and let you see for yourself what daily life looks like here.
Why families choose us
Our approach
What parents usually notice first when they visit is not the rooms or the resources, it is the way the children are getting on with things. At Blooming Years we do not teach children what to think, we teach them how to think. Every activity, every interaction, every space in the nursery is designed to build confidence and independence so that children learn to work things out for themselves and carry that self-belief with them long after they leave us.
In practice
When it comes to the practical side, we start every child gradually, with parents present at the beginning and sessions that build gently at the child's own pace. We speak with you every day during settling in and hold termly one-to-ones so you always know how your child is getting on. We accept both 15 and 30 hours funded childcare, which makes a real difference to families managing the cost of full-time places. We are Ofsted registered and look forward to welcoming our first inspection, which we are confident will match or beat the Good ratings across our other nurseries.
For families in Shirley
Families from Shirley often tell us that mornings here have a particular rhythm to them, the school run towards Shirley, the quiet residential streets before the day picks up, and then the drive or drop-off fitting neatly into that routine. Because most Shirley families come by car, we want the journey to feel straightforward rather than another thing to manage, and parents who make the drive regularly tell us it quickly becomes part of the morning without being a burden.
Address
9 Heathfield Road, CR0 1EY
Phone
020 8667 1345Opening hours
8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Ages
3 months to 5 years
Ofsted
Ofsted Registered
Funding
15 & 30 hours accepted
Getting here
From Shirley, Heathfield Road is most easily reached by driving along Shirley Road and connecting onto the A232, with the journey typically taking around ten minutes depending on the time of morning. On-street parking is available on Heathfield Road for drop-off and collection. For families who prefer public transport, East Croydon station is a short distance from the nursery and there are bus connections into central Croydon from the Shirley area.
We also serve families from
Ofsted Registered
What London families say
The families already with us can tell you more than we ever could.
“My son went from 1-4 yrs old. He loved it. The staff were patient and kind, offered such a variety of activities, helped him grow in confidence and independence and supported me when I had questions on a few things. He joined reception this year well prepared and ready for his next chapter. Thank you team.”
“Excellent nursery! We are so happy about it. I was so scared about the idea of not finding a good place for my little one. Then I have tried Blooming Years and my baby loves it. The teachers are qualified and they take care of every emotional aspect of the babies. I have visited a lot of nurseries but I never had the same warm feeling.”
Come and visit us
See our nursery for yourself
A visit is the best way to know if we are the right fit for your family. Meet our team, explore our spaces, and ask us anything you like.
Not ready yet?
Things parents ask us
Common questions
From Shirley, Blooming Years Nursery at 9 Heathfield Road, CR0 1EY is typically around a 10 to 15 minute journey depending on your route. Families who drive will find on-street parking available nearby, and those using public transport can make use of good bus connections into Croydon as well as East Croydon station. It is a straightforward journey that many of our Shirley families make each day without any issues.
Yes, we accept both the 15-hour universal entitlement and the 30-hour extended entitlement for eligible families. The 15 hours is available to all children from the term after their third birthday, while the 30 hours is for working families who meet the government's income criteria. Funded hours cover your child's core sessions with us, and we will talk you through exactly how this applies to your family's schedule when you come for a visit.
We welcome children from 3 months old right through to 5 years, so we can be with your child from the very early stages through to starting school. Places can be popular, particularly for our baby and toddler rooms, so we would encourage you to get in touch as early as you can, even if you are still pregnant. Places are allocated based on when enquiries are made and the availability in each room, and we will always be honest with you about waiting times rather than keep you guessing.
We are Ofsted registered and look forward to welcoming our first inspection, which we are confident will match or beat the Good ratings across our other nurseries. In practice, that means the standards, routines and care you see here are built on what has already been recognised at our other settings. We are happy to talk you through how we work and what we prioritise, so you can make a confident and informed decision for your child.
When you come for a visit, you will get a proper look around the nursery, meet some of the team and have time to ask whatever is on your mind without feeling rushed. We find that seeing the environment and the people in it tells you far more than any website ever could. Once your child starts, we follow a gradual settling-in process, building up their time with us gently so that both they and you feel comfortable and ready before their first full session.