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Nursery at Sunninghill Preparatory School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Full days and a choice between school terms and year-round care give Little Robins its practical character. This is Sunninghill Preparatory School’s nursery in Dorchester, within the school’s early years section for children from six months to four years. Families can choose a pattern that follows the school calendar or extends across the holidays.
In February 2026, the registered nursery had 98 children on roll. That is an attendance figure, rather than a capacity. The ISI inspection of 24 to 26 February 2026 excluded this registered provision, so its early years findings cannot be treated as nursery judgements.
Hatchlings and Fledglings have room managers, giving the nursery a room-based team structure. Full-day bookings feature in both the term-time and year-round options, making the weekly attendance pattern an important part of the choice.
For 2025/26, the nursery package included specialist teaching in school terms, a hot lunchtime meal and snacks twice daily. Infant formula and nappies were also included, with co-curricular activities subject to terms and conditions. These details place eating and everyday care alongside activities within the nursery day.
Settling starts before the first booked day. Children are invited to several introductory sessions to become acquainted with the other children and their surroundings. This gives them time to build familiarity before their regular attendance begins.
The nursery leadership includes a head with a Level 6 qualification and qualified teacher status. Its deputy holds an early years leadership qualification and combines responsibility for special educational needs with the deputy safeguarding role. The head also leads nursery safeguarding, giving families identifiable roles for raising welfare concerns.
Additional needs. Parents must explain disabilities or special educational needs when registering, so the school can discuss suitable adjustments with them. The admissions policy acknowledges limits to its disability facilities. Support beyond the school’s resources, including occupational therapy or speech and language provision, may require an additional charge or external arrangements.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Sunninghill’s admissions policy assumes that existing pupils continue through the school if their behaviour and progress meet its requirements, and excludes those continuing pupils from its entry procedures. This is conditional progression, rather than an unconditional promise.
For oversubscribed entry at age four, priority goes first to children of Inspired Learning Group staff, then siblings of past or present pupils, followed by registration order. Nursery attendance is not one of those listed criteria. The nursery’s 2025/26 arrangements also required a further deposit to confirm a Reception place.
Term-time places follow Sunninghill’s dates and are invoiced each term; year-round places are billed monthly across a 51-week operating year. The 2026/27 fee options cover four or five school days for term-time attendance, and three, four or five days for year-round attendance.
Eligible families using 15 or 30 funded hours must supply their eligibility code to the nursery manager. Funding arrangements include charges for food, extra consumables and non-funded hours. Ask the school for current charges. Monthly payments include bank holidays and inset closures, and sickness or family holidays do not attract refunds.
Nursery clothing comprises sweatshirts, polo tops and jogging trousers, supplied through Dorset Embroidery & Printwear. Vehicle access and visitor parking are on Culliford Road. Families can use the Little Robins enquiry button on the contact page and book an individual nursery tour.
The school’s early years section covers children from six months to four years.
Yes. The 2026/27 options include four or five school days during term time, alongside year-round patterns of three, four or five days.
Children are invited to several sessions before starting, to become familiar with their surroundings and the other children.
No. The policy describes conditional progression for existing pupils. Nursery attendance is not listed among the priorities for oversubscribed entry at age four.
The school’s Visit Us page offers an individual nursery tour booking option. Its contact page also has an enquiry route specifically covering Little Robins.
