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Nursery at Sherford Vale School & Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Planet names in Duckling Class and bird spotting at Forest School give Sherford Vale’s nursery a character of its own. Children explore ideas inside and take their learning outdoors. This is the school’s own nursery on Hercules Road in Sherford, with provision for children aged two, three and four and space for 30 children in each session.
Children can start from their second birthday. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good following the inspection on 24 and 25 January 2023; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Language gives the learning a clear thread. In January 2023, early years teaching placed particular emphasis on building vocabulary and helping children express themselves aloud. For parents, that means spoken language deserves attention alongside the activities children bring home: learning new words and using them is part of the educational work here.
Duckling Class’s space topic provides a concrete example. In May 2025, nursery children explored the solar system, learning planet names and where the planets sit within it. That gives children something specific to talk about, connecting new vocabulary with an idea they are investigating.
Outdoor learning has its own examples. A January 2025 Forest School activity involved nursery children looking for birds, bringing observation into their exploration of nature. Indoors, children decorated their classroom and their own Christmas tree in December 2023. These examples show children taking part in practical activities as well as exploring a topic through language.
Care includes the youngest children. In January 2023, nursery children, including the two-year-olds, received good care and were prepared for their next stage. This is a useful distinction for families choosing provision that starts before age three.
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s approach involves teachers and support staff working under a SEND coordinator. The school aims to adapt teaching to individual needs, working with families and drawing on outside advice where appropriate. Parents can contact the coordinator through senco@sherfordvaleschool.co.uk.
Food also provides an example of family involvement. In September 2024, new early years children’s parents and relatives joined them for school lunch, with meals prepared on site by kitchen staff.
Separate application. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no admissions priority. Parents must make a fresh application alongside other families through the local authority where their child lives: Devon or Plymouth. Apply through that normal route by its normal deadline; a nursery place does not replace this step.
Transition support is a separate matter. In January 2023, nursery and Reception staff worked together to help children move smoothly between the two stages. That collaboration supports the change in learning environment, while the admissions decision remains a separate process.
To request a nursery place, complete the nursery application form and return it to nursery@sherfordvaleschool.co.uk. Visits can be arranged through the school office on 01752 891795, giving families an opportunity to meet staff and see the setting.
Funding is accepted for eligible families, including ME2/Golden Ticket funding. Families seeking the 30 hours funding must complete HMRC’s required paperwork, then provide the nursery with their confirmed eligibility code and National Insurance number before their child starts. The timing matters: this is a step to complete before the first session, alongside arranging the nursery place.
Children aged two, three and four can attend, starting from their second birthday.
There is space for 30 children in each nursery session.
Examples include planet names and positions in Duckling Class’s space topic, and bird spotting at Forest School. Early years teaching emphasised vocabulary and spoken language in January 2023.
No. Nursery attendance gives no admissions priority and does not guarantee a place. Families must apply separately through Devon or Plymouth, according to where their child lives.
Complete the nursery application form and email it to nursery@sherfordvaleschool.co.uk. Eligible families using 30 hours funding must provide their confirmed eligibility code and National Insurance number before their child starts.
