Welcome to The Cottage website, here you will find our latest news and information as well as relevant policies and contact details.
Situated just outside Wimborne, we are close enough to reach but have the benefit of being surrounded by idyllic countryside.
The Cottage strives to provide a home-from-home experience and our staff encourages children’s development and love of learning.
Our Curriculum
“Our curriculum is led by the children’s needs and interests based on developmentally appropriate milestones as outlined in the EYFS / Development Matters & Birth to 5. We use observations, in-the-moment planning, professional knowledge and understanding of the children to create and extend their learning opportunities. St James’ Cottage Nursery learning environment and methods of delivery are influenced by the children’s interests and existing knowledge and environment”.
We offer convenient wrap-around care from 8 am to 6 pm, with 24 spaces available, term time. Holiday club runs for 2 weeks of the summer holidays for children aged 3 – 9 years old, with 16 places available.
Have a browse to find out more and see what we’ve been up to recently.
Children eligible to start school for the first time in September 2024
| Date of Birth | Type of Application | Closing Date | Offer Date | |
| 1 September 2019-31 August 2020 | Starting School September 2024 | 15 January 2024 | 16 April 2024 | |
If your child is eligible to start school for the first time in September 2024, you must apply for a school place through the local authority where you live. It is not enough to register your interest with the school or have your child attend a nursery attached to the school.
The closing date for on-time applications is the 15th January 2024. It is very important that your application is received by this date. You stand a much greater chance of securing a place in one of your preferred schools if you apply by 15 January.
If you are a Dorset resident:
Please read the Parents’ Guide before making your application. The Parents’ Guide contains lots of useful information on how the school admissions process works, how to apply and what evidence you may need to supply to support your application. Some schools have their own admissions policies which will detail what evidence they may require and how places are allocated at their school. You can find the guide and the schools’ admissions policies on our website.
Apply online at our website Dorset School Admissions via a smartphone, tablet or computer. You can create an account and then complete the application which should take no longer than half an hour. You will receive a confirmation email once you have submitted your application. If you cannot access the internet, please call 01305 221060 to discuss alternative ways of applying.
Newsletter Archive
Cottage Newsletter September 2023. (5)
Cottage Newsletter Summer1 2023
First Day of Term – 5th September 2024
Christmas Party – 19th December 2024
Nativity – 20th December 2024
Cottage Newsletter June 2024 (16)
Cottage Newsletter February 2024
Cottage Newsletter January 2024
Cottage Newsletter October 2023
Cottage Newsletter September 2023. (5)
“We found the care and attention that both our children received to be very good and the extended hours was a bonus. As the children got older, the holiday club and after school club really helped out.”
Wimborne Parent
“I have found the “The Cottage” to be a friendly, nurturing and educational environment or all three of my children. The Cottage offers a safe and secure setting and the ability for children to run outdoors whilst well protected. They have a close link with St James First School and encourage joint events. I found the attendance for activities at the main school, in my children’s’ final year at The Cottage, enables them to progress seamlessly into St James First School. I utilise both the After School Club and Holliday Club which the older children thoroughly enjoy.”
Holt Parent
For our most recent Ofsted report click here
For the St James First School website click here
