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Nursery at The Shade Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A large outdoor area, school-library visits and PE sessions give The Shade Pre-School a day that reaches beyond its own room. This is The Shade Primary School’s nursery provision in Soham, with sessions for children aged 3 to 4. The pre-school aims to build curiosity and independence through play.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 15 and 16 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately graded nursery. The same inspection included provision for two-year-olds; the pre-school session offer described here is for three- and four-year-olds.
Play carries the learning. Children explore indoors and in the large outdoor area, with adults helping them develop vocabulary and acquire skills through their activities. The pre-school aims to encourage exploration, curiosity and investigation through play. For parents, that means looking at what a child learns while playing, as well as what they produce.
In October 2024, adults across early years, including the two-year-old provision, supported learning through play carefully. Children also developed an interest in books and learned to concentrate when an activity required it. These are useful foundations for joining in with group learning.
PE uses the school’s facilities, while library visits bring books into the pre-school’s wider experience. Children therefore become familiar with parts of the school during their nursery day. Curriculum themes extend from pre-school onwards: Emotional Literacy, Possibilities & Experiences, and Diversity & Culture connect learning about feelings with other people and the wider world.
Independence includes everyday care. Children are encouraged to manage dressing and undressing and to take increasing responsibility for personal hygiene. These practical routines give them opportunities to do things for themselves alongside their play.
Class Dojo connects learning at home and in the setting. Parents can view their child’s activities and contribute examples from home, making communication a two-way exchange. The team includes a pre-school leader, a room leader and EYFS practitioners.
Lunch can be brought from home, or families can choose a charged hot or cold meal. For additional needs, the school uses Assess-Plan-Do-Review, with parents involved in agreeing support and reviewing targets. This gives families a defined process for discussing adjustments as their child’s needs become clearer.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority’s normal admissions process; Cambridgeshire residents can apply online. Plan for that application separately from the nursery booking.
For the 2027/28 intake, nursery attendance confers no priority. Allocation follows criteria covering care status, siblings, residence and qualifying staff connections. Familiarity with the library and PE facilities is a practical link with school life, not an admissions advantage.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon in term time. The 15-hour entitlement for three- and four-year-olds starts in the term after their third birthday and covers 38 weeks. Eligible families can use 30-hour provision, with sessions from 9am to 3pm during term time; paid afternoon sessions are also offered.
Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9am. After School Club operates from 3pm to 6pm, with collection at 4.30pm also possible. Both are chargeable, allowing families to extend the core nursery day.
Applications go to the school office, which also arranges visits on 01353 886880. Session changes depend on availability. Arbor’s Parent Portal handles correspondence and payments, and additional consumables charges can include activities, wipes, nappies and food. Contact the school for current charges.
Funding requires a completed, signed Parent/Carer Declaration and an original identity document, such as a birth certificate or passport. Have these ready when arranging funded hours. Cancelling funded sessions requires at least two weeks’ written notice; non-funded sessions require four weeks’ written notice. Families should factor these notice periods into any planned change of childcare. At handover, parents remain responsible until their child has been signed in and passed to staff.
The pre-school session offer is for children aged 3 to 4. The October 2024 inspection also covered two-year-old provision.
Morning sessions run from 9am to noon during term time. For families eligible for 30-hour funding, provision runs from 9am to 3pm during term time.
Yes. Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9am, and After School Club runs from 3pm to 6pm, with a 4.30pm collection option. Both are chargeable.
Yes. Families may provide a packed lunch or choose a hot or cold lunch for an additional charge.
No. A separate local-authority application is required. Nursery attendance gives no priority for the 2027/28 intake.
