Two early years students sitting together

THIS IS

Early Years

Sherfield School’s popular and stimulating early years centre is open to children from the age of three months.
 

We emphasise helping each child develop their academic, physical and social skills. All Early Years children have a designated person to help them settle in and liaise with parents.

Our youngest children enjoy a nurturing and caring learning environment with our encouraging Early Years staff. With frequent walks and outdoor activities, the children experience nature and enjoy wildlife in Sherfield’s beautiful surroundings.
Smiling early years student

OriginalImage,Original,brand

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

view testimonials

Two early years students playing together

OriginalImage,Original,brand

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

OriginalImage,Original,brand

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

OriginalImage,Original,brand

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 to 19 months, focuses on sensory and exploratory play, inspired by the curiosity approach. As children grow, they move to the Ladybird Room (18/19 to 30 months), where they learn through discovery and adventure, strengthening social and cognitive skills. In the Butterflies Room (30 months to school age), children develop independence and confidence through structured activities like library visits, dance, and outdoor play. 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 to 19 months. 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.
Two students playing outside

LADYBIRDS

Our Ladybird room is for children aged 18/19 to 30 months. In this room, we encourage children to further their learning through discovery and adventure as they explore schemas and strengthen relationships with others.
Students holding root vegetables

BUTTERFLIES

The Butterflies Room at Sherfield School is for children aged 30 months to the September before they start school, 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.
Student playing with crocodile toy

Admissions

We offer rolling admissions throughout the year in any of our Early Years classes.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS BOOK A VISIT

Students and teacher sitting together in alcove

Teaching & Learning

"Early years staff have high expectations of what children can achieve. They understand how children learn and develop and provide engaging learning opportunities, such as sharing stories and singing.
This results in children gaining knowledge and developing their communication skills. They follow instructions successfully. The school’s well-resourced and presented early years learning environment fosters curiosity." - ISI Inspection 2024

Sherfield School’s early years practitioners create vibrant, stimulating days by blending planned activities around the seven EYFS learning areas with child-led interests. Teachers guide children to discuss their activities, monitor progress, and plan next steps, ensuring an education that nurtures imagination and a love for learning. This flexible approach shows children that their opinions matter and that school is fun!

EXPLORE TEACHING & LEARNING