--- title: "Holwell Nursery School — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "Holwell Nursery School in Sherborne — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383#nursery", "name": "Holwell Nursery School", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "Crouch Lane", "addressLocality": "Holwell", "postalCode": "DT9 5LP" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383#webpage" }, "sameAs": [ "https://holwellnurseryschool.com/" ], "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 50.900921, "longitude": -2.430674 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Sherborne" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 0, "suggestedMaxAge": 3 }, "award": "Ofsted: Good", "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": 3, "reviewCount": 2, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 1, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Hannah" }, "reviewBody": "Had quite a few people recommend this nursery, and my daughter really liked it when we came to visit.\nHowever, after reaching out to enquire about fees and the additional compulsory extras, for a month I experienced extremely poor communication. Despite multiple emails and phone calls, I was repeatedly told someone would call me back, yet no one ever did.\nI had high hopes as this nursery is right by our house and seemed like a lovely setting for my little girl. Unfortunately, the lack of communication and avoidance of a very simple question has completely disheartened me and caused me to lose trust in them as a care provider.\nGood communication with parents is essential, and sadly that has not been my experience here.", "datePublished": "2026-03-06T13:24:59.601978808Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Abby Kelly" }, "reviewBody": "I couldn’t think of a more caring and attentive nursery for my child to attend.\nIt is a great setting and staff are always informative on how your child’s day has gone.\nWould always recommend if you are lucky enough to have your child attend here as it’s very sought after. No wonder, as it’s an incredible nursery with a dedicated and wonderful team.", "datePublished": "2026-03-09T21:23:07.885105103Z", "inLanguage": "en" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "South West", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=South%20West" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Holwell Nursery School", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the staff team like at Holwell Nursery School?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff use effective planning and assessment to understand each child's interests, strengths and needs. The team responds quickly when gaps in learning appear and puts individual support in place, helping children keep moving forward in their learning." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the main strengths of Holwell Nursery School?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery has an ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum and staff interactions with children are positive and encouraging. Children show a strong attitude to learning, behave well, and benefit from warm, supportive relationships between staff and parents." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Holwell Nursery School support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff identify gaps in learning swiftly and put individual support in place. Effective planning and assessment help the team understand each child's needs, strengths and interests, so support is adjusted around development and learning progress." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Holwell Nursery School a day nursery or preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Holwell Nursery School is classed as childcare on non-domestic premises. It provides full day care for young children." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South West](/search?region=South+West) 4. Holwell Nursery School # Holwell Nursery School Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Sept 2024) · 3.0 (2 parent reviews) · Crouch Lane, Holwell, Sherborne, DT9 5LP · Dorset Number of places 46 places Age range 0–3 yrs Last inspected Sept 2024 Local authority Dorset About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - Reviews - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [Reviews](#reviews) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Holwell Nursery School, a charity-run establishment nestled in a serene countryside environment, provides quality care and education for children ranging from three months old up to school age. The nursery is dedicated to fostering creativity, curiosity, and a strong connection to nature. Their mission is to offer a secure, welcoming, and stimulating atmosphere where each child can progress and learn at their own individual pace, embracing the beauty of the outdoors to cultivate vital life skills and values. The nursery prides itself on offering a "home from home" setting with a strong family-like atmosphere, ensuring every child has the chance to develop in a joyful, protected, and nurturing space. Holwell Nursery School is also proud to have received a 'Good' rating in their September 2024 Ofsted report. Our ethos Holwell Nursery School is dedicated to fostering creativity, curiosity, and a strong connection to nature. They aim to provide a secure, welcoming, and stimulating atmosphere where children can learn at their own pace, using the outdoors to cultivate life skills and values. The nursery offers a "home from home" setting with a family-like atmosphere. What it's like Children and their families receive a warm welcome into this nurturing and caring nursery. Children arrive happy and quickly engage in motivating and challenging activities that staff organise for them. New children receive nurturing and sensitive support from their key person to help them settle into nursery. Charity-run Countryside setting Forest School ## Pricing & funding Pricing on request This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability. [Request pricing →](https://holwellnurseryschool.com/contact-us) ## Key facts Opening hours Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5.30pm and on Friday from 8am to 4.30pm Age range 3 months to school leaving age Term time / All Year All Year Established 1993 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Holwell Nursery School Inspection date Sept 2024 Inspection no. 10351318 Lead inspector Mikaela Jauncey Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50259647)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/139383) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed [ Visit website ](https://holwellnurseryschool.com/) Crouch Lane, Holwell, Sherborne, DT9 5LP [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-2.43067/50.90092/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Sherborne - [Day nurseries in Sherborne](/search?q=Sherborne) - [Day nurseries in South West](/search?q=South+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=holwell-nursery-school-dt9-5lp-139383) Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Holwell Nursery School Last inspected 13 September 2024 · Mikaela Jauncey Safeguarding effective Overall effectiveness Good Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good What it's like to attend Children and their families receive a warm welcome into this nurturing and caring nursery. Children arrive happy and quickly engage in motivating and challenging activities that staff organise for them. New children receive nurturing and sensitive support from their key person to help them settle into nursery. Inspector highlights - The provider develops an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum for children. - Relationships between staff and parents are warm and supportive. - Staff interactions with children are positive and encouraging. - Effective planning and assessment mean that staff have a good understanding of children's interests, strengths and needs. - Children show a positive attitude to learning and their behaviour is good. Areas to develop - 1 support staff to give children the time they need to share their ideas and to practise using new vocabulary to develop children's communication skills further - 2 help older children to develop their independence skills further by offering more opportunities for them to complete tasks for themselves. Inspection #10351318 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50259647) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Effective planning and assessment mean that staff have a good understanding of children's interests, strengths and needs. Staff identify any gaps in learning swiftly and put individual support in place. This means all children are continually moving forward in their learning. Outdoor space Staff extend learning by taking children outside to forage for snails and other creatures. Children show joy and curiosity as they look for snails in the mud. ## Parent Reviews of Holwell Nursery School 3.0 (2) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKW2I6MROUjIH6bCws6Y62rhD9A_kch_ZtBpjH8X8e6Qtd4yQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) Hannah 2 months ago Had quite a few people recommend this nursery, and my daughter really liked it when we came to visit. However, after reaching out to enquire about fees and the additional compulsory extras, for a month I experienced extremely poor communication. Despite multiple emails and phone calls, I was repeatedly told someone would call me back, yet no one ever did. I had high hopes as this nursery is right by our house and seemed like a lovely setting for my little girl. Unfortunately, the lack of communication and avoidance of a very simple question has completely disheartened me and caused me to lose trust in them as a care provider. Good communication with parents is essential, and sadly that has not been my experience here. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xObGRVMVdhWEYxTW5KNVdITTVNM2xOUkdGdFJsRRAB!2m1!1s0x48724f4c7db42401:0x37f9d60542f182be) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjVIlRAqvv6iY4k72-pj4zMBzq89PWIZN-lGXNdtFVzEuaivZGBe2w=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba2) Abby Kelly 2 months ago I couldn’t think of a more caring and attentive nursery for my child to attend. It is a great setting and staff are always informative on how your child’s day has gone. Would always recommend if you are lucky enough to have your child attend here as it’s very sought after. No wonder, as it’s an incredible nursery with a dedicated and wonderful team. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT214dE1HWm1WR3g2VVVOYVYwNU9lRVV0ZEc1MVlrRRAB!2m1!1s0x48724f4c7db42401:0x37f9d60542f182be) Reviews from Google for Holwell Nursery School. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=4033490259373294270&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Date: February 2011 - September 2024 Good - October 2018 Good - November 2017 Good - November 2014 Good - December 2013 Requires improvement - February 2011 Good ## Frequently asked about Holwell Nursery School ### What is the staff team like at Holwell Nursery School? ### What are the main strengths of Holwell Nursery School? ### How does Holwell Nursery School support children with SEND? ### Is Holwell Nursery School a day nursery or preschool? ## Nearby day nurseries in Sherborne Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Holwell Nursery School. - [ Ofsted report unavailable 3.9 mi ### Leweston School Sherborne · DT9 6EN ](/nursery/leweston-school-dt9-6en-ey308762) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 4.8 mi ### Stalbridge Pre-School Stalbridge · DT10 2LP ](/nursery/stalbridge-pre-school-dt10-2lp-ey419797) - [ Awaiting first inspection 5.2 mi ### Pear Tree Nursery and Pre-School Sherborne · DT9 4DN ](/nursery/pear-tree-nursery-and-pre-school-dt9-4dn-2836190) - [ Ofsted: Good 5.4 mi ### Forget Me Not Day Nursery Sherborne · DT9 4EQ ](/nursery/forget-me-not-day-nursery-dt9-4eq-2623955) - [ Ofsted: Good 5.6 mi ### Explorers PreSchool Henstridge · BA8 0QD ](/nursery/explorers-preschool-ba8-0qd-ey253578) - [ Ofsted: Good 5.9 mi ### Sunnyside Nursery School Henstridge · BA8 0PA ](/nursery/sunnyside-nursery-school-ba8-0pa-142882) [See all nurseries in Sherborne →](/search?q=Sherborne) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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