St Mabyn CofE School Nursery

Outdoor adventure starts early at St Mabyn: nursery children explore seasonal changes, climb, crawl and tackle challenges together. This is the school's own nursery in St Mabyn, near Bodmin, within a Church of England setting. Its character combines physical exploration with classroom spaces organised for children to pursue their own ideas.

Choice and teaching work alongside each other. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together language, movement, relationships, early literacy and mathematics, creativity and learning about the world. In everyday terms, children learn through what they say, make, investigate and do with others, as well as through focused teaching.

A Reggio Amelia approach shapes the classroom layout, with different zones for learning. Selected resources form the continuous provision: materials children can explore independently, following their interests. Teachers add to these resources and demonstrate ways to use them. That gives children scope to choose an activity while still receiving adult guidance.

Stories have a substantial role. Children hear poems, rhymes and stories, while nursery reading begins with sounds, rhyme and traditional tales. Writing starts with making marks and inventing stories aloud. The Helicopter Story approach adds acting out those stories, giving children a practical way to turn an idea into something others can understand.

Focused teaching includes early writing, phonics, mathematics and discovering how the world works. Number learning covers counting, putting numbers in order, early calculation and measurement. In July 2022, Ofsted identified ambitious mathematics planning across the school, explicitly including early years. This finding concerns the wider early-years provision rather than a separate nursery judgement.

Outside, the decking provides space for play, alongside free-flow outdoor activity. Nursery exploration includes learning about nature and the seasons, solving problems and moving through physical challenges. Working together on these activities also gives children opportunities to practise cooperation and make friends.

The staff team includes a Level 3 EYFS practitioner, alongside teaching staff and a SEND coordinator. For families with concerns about special educational needs or disabilities, the child's class teacher is the first contact. This gives parents a clear starting point for discussing support.

Across the school, children with individual educational needs are supported through the Record of Need. Parents or carers meet the class teacher each term to review targets and agree the next steps. The Speech and Language Team contributes assessments, individual sessions and resources; support therefore extends beyond classroom adjustments when needed.

Safeguarding responsibilities include a designated lead and deputy, supported by a trust safeguarding leader. Staff receive training and updates, and Safeguard My School records concerns and the responses to them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Cornwall Council is the school admissions route. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Flexible sessions are offered, with up to 30 hours of funded childcare for children aged three and over. Visits can be arranged through the school. For enquiries, contact mab.admin@stbarnabasmat.com or telephone 01208 841307. A visit gives families a chance to see the learning spaces before deciding.