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Sunbeams Shillingstone

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2024)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·Shillingstone C E V A Primary School, Augustan Avenue, Blandford Forum, DT11 0TX · Dorset
Number of places
30 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2024
Local authority
Dorset

About this day nursery

Sunbeams Shillingstone is a welcoming early years setting located within Shillingstone CE Primary School, offering a nurturing environment for children in Blandford Forum, Dorset. The nursery provides a range of services including a baby room, pre-school, nursery, holiday clubs, and after-school clubs.

Emphasising outdoor learning, Sunbeams Shillingstone offers a "Muddy Munchkins" programme, an established Forest Nursery education for children aged three and above, held at the Dudsbury Guide Camp. " Sunbeams Shillingstone values parental involvement and strives to keep parents well-informed about their child's progress, as noted in their Ofsted report.

The nursery encourages families to explore available government support for childcare costs.

Our ethos

Sunbeams Shillingstone emphasises outdoor learning through its "Muddy Munchkins" programme and Forest Nursery education, aiming to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment. They value parental involvement and keeping families informed.

What it's like

Children arrive confidently, and kind, caring staff greet them. Children seek warm reassurance from staff when needed and respond well to the comfort they receive. Children behave well and have good manners. Children enjoy music and rhyme from a young age to develop their language and creativity. Children learn about the natural world and enjoy visits within their local community to help them understand the world around them. Staff support children to make good progress from their starting points to help ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and later life.

Forest Nursery educationOutdoor learning focusHoliday and after-school clubsNurturing staff

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

weekdays from 8.15am to 5.15pm

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Sunbeams Shillingstone

Last inspected 4 March 2024 · Lisa Large

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 arrive confidently, and kind, caring staff greet them. Children seek warm reassurance from staff when needed and respond well to the comfort they receive. Children behave well and have good manners. Children enjoy music and rhyme from a young age to develop their language and creativity. Children learn about the natural world and enjoy visits within their local community to help them understand the world around them. Staff support children to make good progress from their starting points to help ensure that they have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and later life.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team plans a curriculum with a clear focus on developing children's personal, social, emotional and communication skills.
  • Staff organise settling-in sessions in a flexible way that meets the individual needs of children and their families.
  • Children use language well and staff respond positively, valuing babies' speech to build their self-confidence and develop their communication skills.
  • Children enjoy a wide variety of sensory play to develop their hand-to-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
  • Staff nurture a love of reading and teach children to respect their environment to develop a sense of responsibility and build their self-confidence.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to make their expectations during group activities clear and apply them consistently to ensure that all children can fully participate
  • 2support staff to develop questioning techniques that extend and challenge children's learning further to ensure that they make the best possible progress.
Inspection #10332946 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents report that their children are very happy at the nursery and that staff keep them well informed about their children's progress.

parents say that staff are 'nurturing' and that they particularly value the time their children spend outside.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff use assessment well to identify any gaps in children's development and take swift action to close them. For example, they work with parents to share information and seek support from external agencies when needed.

Outdoor space

Children learn about the natural world and enjoy visits within their local community to help them understand the world around them. For example, they visit the nearby orchard and harvest herbs and vegetables in the garden. Staff say that they particularly value the time their children spend outside.

Parent Reviews of Sunbeams Shillingstone

5.0
(4)
Jemma Smith
3 years ago

Sunbeams is a wonderful setting. My 2 year old daughter loves it. The staff are friendly, welcoming and very approachable. Their approach to the children is lovely. There is a great range of activities that meet all areas of development and a fab outside space. We would highly recommend this setting. Keep up the amazing work 👏

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Yasmin Dadkhah
3 years ago

My daughter is the youngest member and is loving her time at Sunbeams. She loves the carers and is having a wonderful time. Would 10/10 recommend.

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Kirstin Drake
3 years ago

They have been very supportive sending my very nervous 3 year old daughter and she is settling in really well.

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Jeremy Hunt
3 years ago

Great nursery, my boys like all the friendly staff and always come home happy

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Reviews from Google for Sunbeams Shillingstone. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: March 2024

  • April 2024Good
  • March 2024Good

Frequently asked about Sunbeams Shillingstone

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