Sandhurst Station Nursery

Safeguarding concerns dominate the decision at Sandhurst Station Nursery, ahead of its garden play and children's enthusiasm for stories. At the 4 March 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding standards not met, with urgent improvement required in welfare, inclusion and leadership, and attention needed in achievement, routines and teaching. These are substantial concerns for families weighing care here.

At RMA Sandhurst in Camberley, the nursery has 42 places for children aged 14 to 60 months. Its term-time calendar means families need a separate arrangement for school holidays.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play should build language, physical skills and understanding. In March 2026, children counted during play, explored position words with bubbles, and developed balance using garden apparatus. Pretending to be sharks from familiar stories gave them another reason to talk and share ideas.

In March 2026, staff did not adequately understand curriculum planning and delivery. Professional development failed to address gaps in their knowledge, while leadership monitoring and challenge failed to detect and prevent weaknesses in practice. In March 2026, younger children were given stories pitched beyond their developmental stage, with no alternative when their interest faded. Their spaces also restricted independent exploration. Older children struggled with changes between activities and unclear expectations, limiting preparation for their next stage of learning.

Long waits interrupted the day in March 2026. Different instructions about using the slide added confusion: children could not rely on consistent boundaries. Required development checks between ages 2 and 3 were also sometimes missed, weakening the information needed to plan individual support.

At the March 2026 inspection, Ofsted found significant safeguarding risks from repeated failures to supply information for committee suitability checks, gaps in staff child-protection knowledge and inadequate arrangements for prompt referrals, alongside inconsistent SEND support and progress below children's capabilities. Training had taken place, but leaders had not established whether staff understood their responsibilities.

In March 2026, children were repeatedly left eating unsupervised while staff attended to other tasks, despite sufficient staffing. The youngest children also lacked suitable provision for rest, sleep and learning. In March 2026, staff lacked training specific to baby care; required changes included baby-care training and appropriate use of a separate room for children under 2. These findings concern basic safety and daily comfort.

Continuity of care was another weakness in March 2026: changes of key person after staff departures were poorly managed, and other practitioners did not consistently know children's learning goals. Targeted support plans existed, but staff did not reliably carry them out or apply adjustments. Leaders worked with parents and professionals, and parents felt informed and involved; that communication did not ensure consistent practice.

The address is RMA Sandhurst, Camberley, GU15 4PQ. Opening hours are 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure in school holidays.

• Safeguarding action. The March 2026 requirements addressed child-protection understanding, prompt referrals and committee suitability checks. Before choosing the nursery, ask for the subsequent official outcome and how these arrangements now work.
• Eating and baby care. March 2026 findings included unsupervised eating and unsuitable provision for the youngest children. A visit should establish how mealtimes are supervised and how rest and age-appropriate learning are organised.
• Individual support. March 2026 weaknesses affected key-person continuity, SEND plans and development checks. Discuss how every practitioner caring for your child understands their needs and follows their support plan.

The term-time calendar may suit families whose childcare needs follow school holidays. However, the March 2026 safeguarding and welfare findings carry far more weight than the positive examples of imaginative and physical play. Choosing this nursery calls for clear evidence of effective changes to safety, daily care and individual support.