Rise and Shine Nursery at Madron Daniel Church of England School

An orchard, a school field and a nursery outdoor area give Rise and Shine its outdoor character. This is Madron Daniel Church of England School's own nursery for children aged 2-4, with its classroom inside the main school building. The nursery describes a family atmosphere and says its small class helps staff shape activities around individual children.

We hold no published inspection grade for it.

Play combines activities guided by adults with opportunities for children to follow their own interests. The nursery aims to develop children's potential through this mixture, adapting resources and activities to what interests and challenges each child. For parents, the useful distinction is that children have both adult direction and room to make choices.

The school says its small classes allow learning to respond to each young child's needs and interests.

Outside, the nursery uses its own area daily, separate from the playground used by the main school. The orchard and large field extend the space for outdoor learning, with Forest School still developing. These are distinct settings for exploration, rather than one playground doing every job. Indoors, the nursery classroom's position within the school also makes contact with Reception children possible during continuous provision, when children use the learning activities and resources around them.

A qualified EYFS practitioner leads the nursery, supported by a teaching assistant with a level 3 EYFS qualification. Staff continue training in child development. Staffing ratios are 1:5 for two-year-olds and 1:8 for children aged three and four, making the different arrangements for younger and older children a practical detail for families to understand.

Seesaw carries updates about children's learning, while each child's Busy Book collects photographs of memorable experiences. The combination gives parents an online channel and a personal record of nursery life. The nursery aims for information to flow both ways between home and staff.

For additional needs, families can arrange a discussion with the school's SEND co-ordinator or inclusion leader through the office. The school's pastoral team also works with families on sleep, behaviour and health, and collaborates with speech and language therapists, play therapists and other services. These are school-level support arrangements to discuss in relation to a child's nursery needs.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline.

Time alongside Reception children during continuous provision provides an opportunity to become familiar with the next stage. Keep that practical transition experience separate from admission: spending time together does not secure a school place.

Two attendance patterns are offered: part time at 15 hours or full time at 30 hours, with places dependent on availability. Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Both operate Monday to Friday. A separate charged lunch session covers 11.30am to 12.15pm, so families combining sessions should account for that interval.

Government funding is accepted for eligible children aged two, three and four. The funding arrangements describe 15 funded hours per week during term time, from the term following a child's second or third birthday; entitlement to 30 hours depends on individual circumstances. Check eligibility through Synergy before planning around funded attendance. Contact the school for current charges.

For an admissions pack or a look around the nursery, contact the school on 01736 364845 or email secretary@st-madderns.cornwall.sch.uk. The address is Bellair Road, Madron, Penzance, TR20 8SP.