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The Caterpillar Club

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Mar 2025)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·c/o Ferndown First School, Mountbatten Drive, FERNDOWN, BH22 9FB · Dorset
Number of places
22 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2025
Local authority
Dorset

About this day nursery

The Caterpillar Club is a pre-school located in Ferndown, situated within the grounds of Ferndown First School. Catering to children aged two years until they transition to reception class, the club strives to create a joyful, secure, and stimulating atmosphere where young learners can engage in play-based learning.

As a registered charity, all proceeds are reinvested into the club to enhance its offerings. The pre-school operates during term time from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm.

They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to deliver an engaging and enjoyable curriculum. The club emphasises a partnership with parents, recognising their crucial role as primary educators, and encourages their involvement in their child's development.

The Caterpillar Club is also a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, an organisation dedicated to supporting pre-schools in early childhood care.

Our ethos

The Caterpillar Club focuses on 'play-based learning' in a 'joyful, secure, and stimulating atmosphere'. They follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and emphasise a strong partnership with parents, viewing them as crucial partners in their child’s development.

What it's like

Children thrive in this highly inclusive and nurturing setting, eager to start their day and engage in a wide variety of activities. Staff are attentive and welcoming, creating a language-rich environment that supports children in acquiring and using language, making them excellent communicators. Children show respect, play cooperatively, and confidently ask for support, demonstrating excellent behaviour and strong emotional well-being.

Charity-runPlay-based learningEYFS curriculumLocated within school grounds

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at an hourly rate or per session, with options for mornings, afternoons, and full days. Registration fees apply only to fee-paying children under three years old.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Fees must be paid for holidays and sickness absences.
  • Registration fee applies to fee-paying children under 3 years old.
  • No registration fee is charged for grant funded children.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 3.30pm (term time only)

Session types

Morning session, Morning session and lunch, Lunch and afternoon session, Afternoon session, All day

Age range

2 years to reception class

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Caterpillar Club

Last inspected 26 March 2025 · Chris Langdon-Casey

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children thrive in this highly inclusive and nurturing setting, eager to start their day and engage in a wide variety of activities. Staff are attentive and welcoming, creating a language-rich environment that supports children in acquiring and using language, making them excellent communicators. Children show respect, play cooperatively, and confidently ask for support, demonstrating excellent behaviour and strong emotional well-being.

Inspector highlights

  • The curriculum intent is extremely clear and carefully planned to support children to make the best possible progress.
  • The setting provides staff with highly reflective supervision sessions and coaching, leading to consistently high-quality practice.
  • The setting has high expectations of children, and children behave exceptionally well, demonstrating empathy and kindness.
  • Parents speak very highly of the setting, praising staff who go 'above and beyond' and highlight robust communication.
  • Children access the newly refurbished sensory area outdoors, experimenting with resources to develop creativity, resilience, and perseverance.
Inspection #10388594 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak very highly of the setting.

They praise the staff, who go 'above and beyond' to care for and educate their children.

Parents particularly highlight the robustness of communication and feel well informed regarding their children's learning and development and how this can be supported at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The language-rich environment created by staff supports all children to acquire and use language, and they are excellent communicators. For example, staff use visual prompts consistently to help children who find verbal communication more difficult. Assessment processes are robust and any gaps in children

Outdoor space

Children access the newly refurbished sensory area outdoors, experimenting with a range of resources and materials to develop their creativity. Staff encourage children to test their ideas and problem solve independently and with their peers, for example, using a 'mixing truck' to make 'cement' to build a house, adding sand and water.

Parent Reviews of The Caterpillar Club

5.0
(4)

Reviews from Google for The Caterpillar Club. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2004

  • April 2025Outstanding
  • March 2025Outstanding
  • August 2019Good
  • July 2019Good
  • July 2015Good
  • June 2015Good
  • October 2010Good
  • September 2010Good
  • November 2007Good
  • August 2004Good

Frequently asked about The Caterpillar Club

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