The Round House Primary Academy Pre-school Review

Three-hour sessions give this pre-school a compact rhythm: a morning or afternoon of early learning within The Round House Primary Academy in St Neots. Provision includes two-year-olds, alongside sessions for children aged three and four. This is the school's on-site pre-school, so its identity belongs within the primary academy rather than to a separate nursery.

Play provides the starting point for the school's early years approach. The emphasis is on children becoming more independent, communicating with others and learning through practical activity. For parents, the useful distinction is between that everyday experience and the separate application needed for a school place later.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, language and relationships with early literacy, maths, creativity and understanding of the world. In parent terms, learning includes talking, moving, playing together and investigating materials, rather than simply practising academic tasks. The early years team uses Development Matters to inform observations and plan what children work on next.

Role-play and shared tidying also give children opportunities to cooperate and take responsibility for their surroundings.

Creative learning includes music, dance and imaginative play, alongside experimenting with art materials. These activities let children express ideas through movement, sound and making things. In October 2024, inspectors described sensitive introductions to pre-school routines and activities, with staff helping children develop independence and vocabulary. Children could choose activities linked to their learning and development. Choice therefore has a practical place in the session.

Sensitive introductions to routines matter for young children learning how a group setting works. The October 2024 findings connect this support with independence and language development, giving parents a concrete picture of the staff's role beyond supervising play.

Across early years, significant observations are gathered in individual learning journals through Tapestry and shared with families. Parents can contribute examples from home too. That gives staff another perspective on what a child can do and helps connect planning with experiences outside the setting.

For discussions about special educational needs and disabilities, the school's Executive SENDCO can be contacted through the office. This provides a route for families to raise support needs with the team.

Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Cambridgeshire Local Authority coordinates that process, with online applications through its citizen's portal or school-place application service.

Treat choosing pre-school sessions and applying for Reception as two separate decisions. The nursery day may suit a child, but attendance should never be treated as confirmation of their next school place.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon; afternoons run from noon to 3pm. Each lasts three hours. Bookings are charged by session and operate during term time, making the school calendar relevant to childcare planning.

Funded Twos, Universal Hours, Expanded Funding and Extended Funding are accepted for any session. There are no chargeable extras. Contact the school for current session charges.

To register interest, complete the pre-school Interest Form and submit it to the school office or email pre-school@roundhouse.cambs.sch.uk. This gives families a direct route to start the registration process.