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Nursery at St Dennis Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, conversation and daily outdoor exploration give this nursery its character. St Dennis Primary Academy’s nursery serves children aged two to four, bringing early learning into the school setting on Carne Hill in St Dennis. Families can choose whole-day or half-day attendance.
The early years provision was judged Good at the Ofsted inspection on 2 and 3 February 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision. Within the nursery itself, children paid close attention to stories, while adults used questions to develop their understanding. For parents, the useful detail is the interaction: listening is followed by discussion, rather than a story simply filling time.
Play provides the starting point for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Children choose explorations of their own, alongside activities led by adults. Staff step into that play to demonstrate skills and develop ideas, giving children both room to make choices and help with their next step.
Outdoor provision is part of each day. Exploration and investigation sit alongside opportunities to develop larger movements, so learning extends beyond indoor activities. The EYFS timetable includes daily Read Write Inc. Phonics and Mastering Number sessions, connecting early work with sounds and words to an understanding of numbers.
Support also has specific forms. WellComm is used with identified children to develop language, including vocabulary and constructing sentences. Fun Fit addresses physical skills such as balance, coordination and the development of core strength. Small groups or individual sessions provide additional help for selected children, rather than relying entirely on whole-group activities.
In February 2023, early years staff matched activities to children’s needs and gave communication and language particular attention. Staff also knew which parts of children’s learning needed further work. Those findings give substance to the emphasis on talking: activities were chosen with individual needs in mind.
Emotional support has a physical space as well as a teaching approach. The Snug is available to any child for conversation, play or a quieter break. Its equipment includes a dark den, kinetic sand and bean bags, giving adults different ways to support children who need help managing their feelings.
Across the school, staff use a Trauma and Mental Health Informed approach. Early years staff have training in emotional coaching and speech and language therapy. Zones of Regulation displays in classrooms help children recognise their feelings, with adults able to support them in choosing a response.
For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), families can discuss support with the SENCO, available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Coffee and Cake events provide another opportunity for conversation. Children with toileting needs have an Intimate Care Plan, making personal care part of an individual arrangement.
Meals are supplied by Aspens, with a separate nursery menu. Lunch falls between 12:00 and 12:30. Special diet and alternative menu arrangements give families a route to address food requirements alongside the session routine.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Cornwall Council’s electronic application route and meet the normal admissions deadline. Treat that application as a distinct step when planning ahead.
Familiarity with the school is a separate benefit of the nursery experience. Children regularly visit the main school, including its library, PE hall and lunch hall, and attend some assemblies and performances. These experiences help make the wider setting familiar; they do not secure admission.
Morning sessions run from 09:00 to 12:00; afternoon attendance runs from 12:30 to 15:25. Whole-day attendance is also offered. The lunch interval matters when matching attendance to family arrangements.
For enquiries, contact the office on 01726 822546 or email office@stdennis.tpacademytrust.org. School visits can be arranged by telephone. Ask the school for current meal charges before committing to an attendance pattern.
The nursery caters for children aged two to four.
Yes. Morning sessions run from 09:00 to 12:00 and afternoon sessions from 12:30 to 15:25. Whole-day attendance is also offered.
Yes. Children access outdoor provision daily, with opportunities for investigation, exploration and physical development.
No. A separate Reception application is required through Cornwall Council’s electronic application route.
Contact the school to discuss your child’s needs with the SENCO, who is available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
