St Kew Academy Pre-School Review

Outdoor learning gives St Kew Pre-School its identity. The school describes an introduction to St Kew Academy built around being outdoors, for its youngest children before school entry at age 4. This is the school's own pre-school provision in St Kew, Cornwall. For families drawn to an outdoor emphasis, that character is the clearest starting point.

Stories and practical number activities give a concrete picture of early learning here. At the January 2025 inspection, children in the early years listened frequently to adults reading stories and enthusiastically took part in telling them again, including using accompanying movements. Children participate rather than simply listen, giving them opportunities to practise language through familiar stories.

Number learning also involves things children can handle and compare. In January 2025, activities included grouping shapes and pairing objects with numbers. Adults asked questions that extended children's thinking. For a parent, these examples show how early mathematical understanding develops through practical tasks and conversation rather than only through recognising written numbers.

The outdoor emphasis sits alongside contact with older children. In January 2025, early years children regularly played with older pupils, helping their social development. That gives the youngest children experience of spending time with children beyond their own age group.

For conversations about a child's needs, the school office provides a route to staff. Members of the school team can also be contacted at the start and finish of the day, making those points useful opportunities for a conversation. St Kew has a special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo), with appointments arranged through the office. Families can use that route to discuss their child's individual support needs.

Food features in the school's Breakfast Club. Children attending its 8am option have breakfast together in the hall with a staff member. Choices include toast and cereal, with water and fruit juice to drink. Eating alongside other pupils makes this a social part of the morning as well as a meal.

Attending St Kew Pre-School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process, meeting the normal deadline. Cornwall Council manages school admissions, and applications go through its School Admissions service.

Keep that application separate from choosing pre-school sessions. Nursery applications and informal visits are handled through the school office, while the Council route deals with school places. Familiarity with the school and time spent with older pupils should not be treated as securing admission.

The pre-school gate opens at 9am. Morning collection is at noon, while children staying for the afternoon are collected at 3pm, also at the pre-school gate. These are the timings to use when planning the pre-school day.

An informal visit or nursery application starts with the school office. Contact St Kew on 01208 841306 or email stkew@kernowlearning.co.uk. The same office handles Breakfast Club bookings. Alongside the 8am breakfast option, the school runs Early to School Club from 8.30am, which excludes breakfast. Both are charged sessions; contact the school for current charges.