Two early years students sitting together

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Early Years at Sherfield

Sherfield inspires happy, kind and confident children from birth to age five.

Choosing a Nursery and Pre-Reception setting is a big decision for families. Sherfield ensures a nurturing, family-feel environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to learn - all set within 76 acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside.

Our learning philosophy and Key Person approach means we know each child deeply, and help them to learn in the way that suits them best. We look after children’s health and wellbeing, from nutrition and exercise to plenty of fresh air and purpose-built facilities with free-flow access to the garden.

We would love you to come and explore our Nursery, Pre-Reception and Reception spaces, see us in action, meet our dedicated team and experience the warmth of our community for yourself. 

Fill in the form to book a personalised visit.

Why Families Choose Sherfield Early Years

 

  • From 3 months to 5 years - seamless provision from Nursery to Reception
  • 76-acre countryside setting with exceptional outdoor learning spaces
  • Play-based, child-centred learning grounded in the EYFS
  • Child-chosen Key Person approach for security and belonging
  • Minimal transitions to build strong, lasting relationships
  • Free-flow indoor and outdoor learning every day
  • Specialist teaching including languages, music and movement for 3+ years
  • Strong parent partnerships, workshops and family events
Students and teacher sitting together in alcove

Welcome from the Early Years Manager

It gives me so much joy to see our youngest learners flourish in an environment where they have a voice, and where their curiosity is encouraged, friendships are nurtured, and a love for the outdoors blossoms. Through supportive partnerships with parents and our child-chosen Key Person system, children belong and feel secure and happy here.

Kindness, Courage, and Respect

From Nursery through to Sixth Form, our core values of Kindness, Courage and Respect are at the heart of everything we do.

This means every child feels valued, safe to try new things, and confident to be themselves. Together, these values help each child to learn and grow as a whole person.

Learning

Our learning is centred on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, and we adopt a play-based approach. As an EiM school, we enrich the curriculum with our Engaging Learning philosophy. By really knowing a child, we can create an environment where their learning can flourish naturally.

Learning in and About Nature

We are extremely lucky to be surrounded by the Hampshire countryside - a perfect setting for outdoor learning and connecting the children to nature. We partner with Learning through Landscapes (an initiative supported by Sir David Attenborough), and our dedicated outdoor leader provides joyful, wonderful learning opportunities in our beautiful forest areas and green spaces. 

I am incredibly proud of the children and the whole team here, and it would be an enormous pleasure to have you visit us to see for yourself why Sherfield Early Years is so special!

Lindsey Welch, Early Years Manager

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Smiling early years student

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My daughter looks forward to nursery each day! The room offers her such a wonderful mix of fun, learning and new experiences managed by caring and engaged staff. She has developed so much in such a short time. Would certainly recommend it.

Caterpillars Parent

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Two early years students playing together

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The nursery is set in very nice school grounds and the children get to explore and play in these areas, the staff are always friendly and kind. The food is great and I'm kept up to date with my son's activities with the app. My son loves going to nursery and sometimes it's a struggle to get him to come home!

Ladybirds parent

Students examining a large set of teeth

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This nursery combines excellent facilities (good outdoor area, regular walks around the lake on the grounds, etc) with a focus on physical well-being (such as baby yoga, developing skills on teeth brushing) and a strong academic ethos (learning languages from age 2). My son thrives here, is happy, and I feel safe knowing the environment he is in.

Butterflies Parent

Student and teacher smiling

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The staff are incredibly loving and the food is excellent. The school grounds are beautiful and it’s great that my daughter gets to go out most days. One of my highlights has been the Head Chef for the school spending the afternoon teaching the nursery children how to cook pizzas. My child has made huge personal developments and I truly believe it’s down to the nursery.

Pre-Reception Parent

Early Years classroom

Early Years Classes

“He always has the best time!”

 At Sherfield School, the Early Years class structure supports children's development from infancy to Reception. The Caterpillar Room, for ages 3 months to 2 years, focuses on sensory and exploratory play, inspired by the curiosity approach. As children grow, they move to the Butterflies Room (2 to 3 years), where they learn through discovery and adventure, strengthening social and cognitive skills. Pre-Reception, starting the September after their third birthday, prepares children for Reception with small group 'booster classes.' The newly renovated Reception classroom offers an engaging learning space for the next stage of their education.
Two children sitting on outdoor furniture

CATERPILLARS

Our Caterpillar room is for children aged 3 months to 2 years. In this room, we try to encourage the children to learn through sensory and explorative play. We are inspired by the curiosity approach, which is to create a very natural and curious environment for children to thrive and flourish, which is our pedagogy.
Students holding root vegetables

BUTTERFLIES

The Butterflies Room at Sherfield School is for children aged 2 to 3 years, focusing on developing their independence and confidence. Our dedicated staff support them as they adjust to structure, with regular visits to the school library, music and movement sessions in the dance studio, and outdoor play in the Early Years garden. Children are encouraged to make choices, boosting their confidence and communication, while hands-on learning with Clever Touch Smart Boards aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, preparing them for Pre-Reception.
Student reading in comfy area

PRE-RECEPTION

Children enter Pre-Reception the September after their third birthday, with some new pupils joining. Two terms before transitioning to Reception, they attend small group sessions in a 'booster class' next to the Reception rooms to aid their preparation.
Two students playing together

RECEPTION

Pre-Reception children transfer into Reception in the September following their fourth birthday. They are joined by children from other local nurseries or home, whom we are able to settle very quickly as they can readily join in with the children who have come up through Pre-Reception. Our incredible spacious Reception classroom was newly renovated in 2024 and features a working kitchen, book corner and activity centre.