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Nursery at Blisland Primary Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Animal masks, a visiting gecko and a scorpion glowing under ultraviolet light: Blisland’s nursery turns a story into things children can make, investigate and talk about. This is the nursery attached to Blisland Primary Academy in Waterloo, with a split site separating nursery provision from the main school.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its November 2023 inspection. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Stories give children a starting point for practical exploration. During a Dear Zoo topic, they made animal masks and investigated animal-inspired sounds and textures. Art and sensory activities connected the book to experiences in the classroom, giving children several ways to explore the same subject.
Zoolab brought live animals into that learning. Children encountered a gecko and a scorpion that glowed under ultraviolet light, with opportunities to ask questions and discuss unfamiliar creatures. The useful link is between hearing a story, making something and investigating the natural world.
Language is a clear strength of the nursery’s educational offer. In November 2023, children had plentiful opportunities to develop language through songs, shared stories and nursery rhymes. For a young child, these are approachable ways to hear and use words.
A nursery lead heads the provision and is studying for a BA (Honours) in Early Childhood. Both the nursery and main school have staff trained in safeguarding at Level 3, so safeguarding expertise extends across the split site.
For children needing additional support, the school’s SEND coordinator works with teachers and teaching assistants. Support can involve smaller groups, extra help within the classroom and advice from Speech and Language Therapy or Educational Psychology. Parents can start a discussion with their child’s teacher, with the SEND coordinator accessible through the office.
Parent partnership. In November 2023, a school-wide concern was that some families of children with SEND lacked confidence in provision because planning alongside parents needed strengthening. Families should establish how they will participate in setting and reviewing their child’s support.
Attending Blisland’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. For September 2027 entry, nursery attendance gives no additional priority: allocation follows the school’s oversubscription criteria. Families must make a separate application. Cornwall residents apply through Cornwall Council’s Common Application Form; those living elsewhere apply through their own council. The normal application window runs from September to January, with applications due by the required deadline.
Transition support is a separate matter. Individual plans take account of each child’s needs, and staff visit new Reception starters in their preschool setting. Where a child attends both Blisland Nursery and another setting, staff hold progress meetings between settings. This allows the adults preparing the transition to share their understanding of the child; it does not confer an admissions advantage.
Contact the school office on 01208 850565 or email secretary@blislandprimary.co.uk to enquire. School tours can be arranged with the secretary, giving families an opportunity to see the setting.
Physical access. Steep steps lead to the entrance of the old school building. Families with mobility requirements can visit to assess whether the site suits their child’s needs, taking account of the nursery’s split-site arrangement.
No. A separate application is required, and nursery attendance gives no additional priority for September 2027 entry.
Cornwall residents use Cornwall Council’s Common Application Form. Families outside Cornwall apply through their own council. The normal application window runs from September to January.
Examples include making animal masks, exploring sounds and textures during a Dear Zoo topic, and meeting live animals through Zoolab. Stories, songs and nursery rhymes also support language learning.
Individual transition plans reflect children’s needs. Staff visit new starters in their preschool setting and hold progress meetings when children attend Blisland Nursery alongside another setting.
Start with your child’s teacher. The school’s SEND coordinator can also be contacted through the office on 01208 850565.
