Welcome to Sherfield Early Years
Sherfield Early Years
Our Approach to Learning
Children’s learning in Sherfield Early Years is based upon the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) and Engaging Learning (EiM), a reflective tool for practitioners that transforms learning and embeds child-led practice.
Our well-researched play-based approach focuses on children’s developmental needs and interests.
Through play and exploration, children develop the skills to become confident authors, enthusiastic readers, and creative problem solvers throughout the EYFS. Our personalised approach to teaching fundamental learning skills ensures that every child achieves meaningful outcomes at their own pace, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
We provide children with a range of activities and experiences that spark their curiosity and interest. Our unique outdoor environment enables each child to connect with nature throughout the day and in all weathers.
We value your child's home experiences and partner with you to ensure a shared approach to learning.
Partnering with you: Your Child’s Journey
Children flourish in Sherfield Early Years because they are truly known, valued, and celebrated as unique individuals. This is made possible through our Key Person Approach.
The Key Person Approach
Your child will be assigned a dedicated Key Person who will provide a sense of security, understanding, and care, helping them feel safe and valued. Our Key People work closely within each age phase, building strong relationships and ensuring smooth, supportive transitions as your child grows and develops.
Celebrating Achievements
We believe in the power of partnership when it comes to your child’s learning journey. Through Tapestry, our secure online platform, we regularly share photos and observations of the exciting learning experiences your child is engaged in.
As part of our Spotlighting approach, we dedicate a week to closely reviewing and observing your child’s development in collaboration with you. At the end of the week, we meet with parents to celebrate achievements, reflect on growth, and discuss next steps in their learning journey. This shared approach ensures every child feels valued and supported as they continue to learn and thrive
Measuring Milestones: There are two statutory assessment checks we carry out in the setting on your child:
2 years old progress check
EYFS profile at the end of Reception
Our Unique Outdoors Environment
The most essential items your child will need in Early Years are a puddle suit and a reliable pair of wellies!
Every day, children spend time in our extensive grounds, where they are encouraged to be independent explorers and confident risk-takers in a safe and nurturing outdoor environment.
In our beautiful forest areas and rolling green spaces, children immerse themselves in nature—building dens, jumping in puddles, and discovering the wonders of the world around them.
We are proud to partner with Learning through Landscapes—an initiative supported by Sir David Attenborough—to enrich all areas of children’s learning. Through this collaboration, our practitioners work closely with experts to maximise outdoor learning opportunities, laying the foundations for a lifelong connection with nature and our planet.
Outdoor play fosters confidence, strengthens relationships, and encourages healthy risk-taking, helping children develop essential skills that support their overall growth and development.
Sherfield Early Years
Minds and Healthy Learning
Children’s health and wellbeing is at the core of Sherfield Early Years.
Thomas Franks, our catering contractors, to ensure that our youngest children have healthy food, either in their rooms or in the dedicated Sherfield dining area.
Cooking and preparing their own food is an important learning activity for our young children, whether they prepare their own snacks or cook in the dedicated children’s kitchen in the reception space.
lead ‘Masterclasses’, where the chef cooks with the children. The chefs model, and the children roll their sleeves up and engage in activities such as baking bread, creating their own pizzas, or making soup, always using healthy, fresh ingredients.
From the age of 3, your child will have the chance to eat in the dining room, choosing healthy options for breakfast and lunch and taking responsibility for clearing away their own eating utensils.
We celebrate diversity in our community, and Thomas Franks work with us to ensure we authentically celebrate food from around the world through daily menus or the celebration of days such as Diwali and the Lunar New Year. It is really important that children are encouraged to become culturally aware and enjoy the explosion of tastes on offer!
From Reception onwards children can apply to become ‘Master Tasters’, trying new food that our chefs want to place on the menu.
Sherfield Early Years
Sherfield Early Years
Booking sessions and fees
We offer flexible term time only or 48 weeks a year sessions to suit your needs.
Our core day is 8:30 to 15:30. Our full day is 7:30 to 18:00 and includes breakfast and tea.
We believe that Early Years children can reach their full potential only through regular, structured attendance; therefore, a minimum of three days/sessions is required.
If you are interested in any Ad Hoc sessions, you will be asked to book them in advance with our Early Years Managers. Their contact details are at the end of this brochure.
FEES
Our fees can be found on our websitesherfieldschool.co.uk/admissions-fees. You will not be charged for the days that the setting is closed, including bank holidays. Sessions booked are non-refundable.
Sherfield Early Years
Sherfield Early Years
GeneralInformation
The full address of the school is:
Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hook, Hampshire RG27 0HU
Telephone Number: 01256 884 800
Website: sherfieldschool.co.uk
Facebook: /SherfieldSchoolHampshire
LEADERSHIP
Head of School: Ms Caroline Taylor
Head of Prep and EYFS: Miss Kelly Dillon
k.dillon@sherfieldschool.co.uk
Early Years Manager: Miss Sophie Percival s.percival@sherfieldschool.co.uk
Deputy Early Years Manager: Miss Molly Walker m.walker@sherfieldschool.co.uk
SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Mr Duncan Page d.page@sherfieldschool.co.uk
Deputy DSL (DDSL): Miss Sophie Percival s.percival@sherfield.co.uk