The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Sherfield 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
From Caterpillars to Pre-Reception, Sherfield’s nursery organises early childhood into four stages, beginning at three months and continuing until children start school. It belongs to Sherfield School in Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hampshire, with nursery and Reception sharing an area of the school. That shared space gives the move onwards a practical starting point: familiar surroundings.
Caterpillars covers three to 19 months, followed by Ladybirds from 18/19 to 30 months. Butterflies continues from 30 months until the September after a child’s third birthday; Pre-Reception then runs until the August before school entry. These stages describe the progression, rather than promising a move on a birthday.
The day can be booked as a morning, an afternoon or a full day. Morning attendance runs from 8am to 1pm and includes lunch; the afternoon runs from 1pm to 6pm and includes tea. A full day spans 8am to 6pm. The meal arrangements give each shorter session its own substantial food break.
Movement between rooms takes account of a child’s development. Parents contribute to the decision alongside the Early Years Manager, Room Leader and Key Person, so the next room is a discussion about readiness as well as age. For families comparing the stages, that distinction matters.
The registered Early Years Foundation Stage setting was excluded from the ISI inspection of 5 to 7 March 2024. Its early-years findings therefore should not be treated as an assessment of this registered nursery provision.
Before joining the Early Years Centre, children spend a session there. This gives a child some experience of the setting before their regular attendance begins. The Key Person also participates in decisions about room changes, keeping an individual child’s development part of that conversation.
Food has a defined place in the booking model: mornings include a two-course lunch, while afternoons include a two-course tea. The spring 2026 nursery tea menu included vegetable and lentil soup, hummus with pita bread, and tomato and mozzarella pinwheels. These are examples from that menu, rather than a promise of today’s dishes.
Additional needs. Sherfield has limited SEND facilities, and the layout of its buildings and site can restrict movement for people with particular mobility difficulties. Families must disclose known needs before admission so the school can discuss adjustments and assess whether it can meet them. This makes the individual discussion essential to choosing the provision.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat Reception as a separate admissions decision and apply through the school’s admissions team. Applications are accepted throughout the year, with no strict application deadline. Nursery attendance is not among the stated oversubscription preferences; those include sibling or former-pupil family connections, staff parents, and a child’s particular aptitude, talent or skill.
Familiarity is a separate benefit. Nursery children share an area with Reception, and Sherfield describes a transition programme built around spaces, staff and friendships they already know. That helps explain the practical continuity, but it should not be read as an admission entitlement.
Bookings follow the same session pattern each week. Changing that pattern requires one month’s notice and depends on an alternative session being available. Limited breakfast care starts at 7.30am and is allocated in order of requests, so families needing the earlier start should include it in their booking enquiry.
Funding can be used during term time over 35–38 weeks or spread across 48 weeks, giving fewer funded hours each week. Universal funding provides 15 hours weekly for children aged three and four, starting on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following their third birthday and continuing until school entry. Eligible working families can access up to 30 hours from the term after their child turns nine months until they start school. Hours beyond the entitlement are charged.
Funded hours cover core childcare. Food and consumables are optional extras: parents can pay the additional charge or supply their own nappies, wipes, suncream and cold lunch/snack in a named lunchbox. Food cannot be warmed, and nut products are removed. Consumables are included in full-fee, non-funded sessions. Ask the Admissions Team for current charges and a personalised illustration at admissions@sherfieldschool.co.uk or 01256 884 816. The enquiry form also allows families to book a private tour or open event.
Children can start at three months. The stages are Caterpillars, Ladybirds, Butterflies and Pre-Reception, continuing until school entry.
Full days run from 8am to 6pm, mornings from 8am to 1pm and afternoons from 1pm to 6pm. Limited breakfast care is available from 7.30am, subject to allocation in order of requests.
Yes. Families can choose term-time funding over 35–38 weeks or stretch their annual entitlement over 48 weeks, reducing the funded hours used each week.
Funding covers core childcare. Families can pay the optional food and consumables charge or provide their own items, including a cold lunch/snack in a named lunchbox. The nursery cannot warm food, and nut products are removed.
No. Reception admission must be considered separately through the school’s Admissions Team. Nursery attendance is not a stated oversubscription preference; sharing familiar spaces and staff supports transition rather than guaranteeing admission.
