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Nursery at Cromwell 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Understanding evergreen trees and putting numbers in order give Cromwell Academy’s pre-school a more concrete identity than broad promises about school readiness. This is the school’s own provision for children from age 2, within its early years department in Huntingdon.
Ofsted’s January 2026 judgement for early years was Expected standard. That judgement covers the early years provision within the school, rather than a separately graded nursery. The picture combines enthusiastic children and useful adult guidance with a clear need to sustain engagement more consistently.
Stories, songs and rhymes do real teaching work here. In January 2026, staff used them effectively to develop language and vocabulary; pre-school children could explain the meaning of evergreen. For parents, that is a useful example of learning extending beyond joining in with a familiar song to understanding a new idea.
Number work also has substance. Adults helped pre-school children arrange numbers in sequence, while children across early years understood numbers and could often make a number in different ways. Learning continues during play: children are encouraged to use what they have learned independently, with adults listening, questioning and correcting misunderstandings. The early years curriculum brings together language, number and independent activity rather than treating play as a break from learning.
Sustained engagement. Some activities and teaching approaches did not hold children’s attention long enough for purposeful learning in January 2026. This affected some children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) too. More consistent tailoring of early years teaching was an explicit improvement priority, making the way staff keep an individual child involved an important consideration for families.
Settling has a positive foundation. In January 2026, children starting in early years formed friendships and settled promptly, while staff learned about their interests and needs. That personal knowledge matters when a young child is adjusting to being away from home.
Families can contact the school’s SEND team through office@cra.acesmat.uk. For communication with a teacher or another staff member, the school uses communication@cra.acesmat.uk, forwarding messages to the appropriate person. Urgent questions go through the school office by phone or in person. These provide distinct routes for discussing learning needs and raising an immediate concern.
Attending pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the school’s oversubscription criteria. Families must make a separate online application to Cambridgeshire County Council in the autumn term before the child is due to start school. Keep that application separate from the decision to use pre-school.
Transition support and admission are different matters. For children with SEND moving between classes, the school passes information to the next teacher beforehand. Where necessary, the new teacher and SEND coordinator hold a planning meeting; a social story can also help a child understand the change. These arrangements support continuity of care, rather than entitlement to a place.
The school office is the contact point for enquiries: email office@cra.acesmat.uk or telephone 01480 437830. Cromwell Academy is on Parkway, Huntingdon, PE29 6JA.
The pre-school caters for children from age 2.
Stories, rhymes and songs develop vocabulary, and adults help children with number ordering. Children also apply their learning during independent play.
Early years received Expected standard in January 2026. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, not a separate nursery grade.
No. Pre-school attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no priority under the school’s oversubscription criteria. Families apply separately online to Cambridgeshire County Council in the autumn term before their child is due to start school.
Email office@cra.acesmat.uk or call 01480 437830. Messages for teachers and other staff can be sent to communication@cra.acesmat.uk.
