The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Shortlanesend 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sand, dough and everyday counting give Shortlanesend's nursery its practical character. Children can start from age two, with the provision based on the school site in Shortlanesend, near Truro. The school introduces its Smile, Learn, Excel philosophy during nursery, aiming to make learning enjoyable and help children develop towards their next stage.
Learning connects with ordinary routines. Children count the group before lunch and help set the snack table, putting number work into a context they can understand. Letters and numbers are introduced through practical experiences rather than only as abstract symbols. These small jobs give learning an immediate purpose.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers care and development alongside learning up to age five. Here, its areas include language and communication, physical development and social skills, alongside mathematics, literacy, creative expression and understanding the world. That means the nursery curriculum extends beyond early reading and counting.
Continuous Provision is the named approach to the daily learning areas, including sand, maths and dough. Early Excellence resources are used within this provision. Children have repeated opportunities to explore and practise, while resources are added as their skills develop. Topic enquiry questions bring additional materials into the play, intended to extend children's ideas.
Curriculum consistency. Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Requires improvement following visits on 17 and 18 June and 8 July 2025. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating. At that point, early years phonics teaching was effective, but other aspects of early years teaching were less effective and curriculum delivery was inconsistent. Staffing changes had hindered work to build from children's existing abilities, and some children received too little challenge to prepare them for their next year group. Staff expertise and children's language development were priorities for improvement. Families should weigh those findings alongside the practical learning approach.
An EYFS lead and EYFS teaching assistants form the nursery team. Before children start, the Early Years lead arranges meetings to understand their needs. This gives families an opportunity to explain what matters for their child before nursery begins. Daily information exchanges with parents continue the connection between home and nursery.
For children needing additional support, the school's SEND arrangements involve observations, assessment and discussions with families. The SENDCo works with teachers and teaching assistants on support programmes, with external services including Speech and Language Therapy and the Educational Psychology Service. Children on the Record of Need have targets and adjustments reviewed with parents three times a year through an Individual Provision Map. That gives families a recurring opportunity to discuss support and progress. When specialist support is requested, the school seeks parents' consent and shares the outcomes as they arrive, keeping families involved in decisions.
A cooked lunch is an option with an additional charge. Morning and afternoon sessions can include lunch, so the meal arrangement also affects the length of the session.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. The application route is Cornwall Council. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am without lunch, or until 12.15pm with lunch. Afternoon sessions finish at 3.15pm, starting at 12.15pm without lunch or 11.45am with lunch. The all-day options are 8.45am to 3.15pm, or 8.45am to 2.45pm for the 30 funded hours pattern. Funded places are offered, and non-funded hours carry a charge; contact the school for current charges.
Care beyond sessions. Nursery children cannot use the school's breakfast or after-school provision. Families needing care outside nursery hours will need another arrangement.
Children can join throughout the academic year, subject to availability, using the Nursery Application Form. Enquiries go to hello@shortlanesend.org.uk or 01872 276372. Visits can be arranged by contacting the school for an appointment.
The nursery can take children from age two.
Daily learning areas include sand, dough and maths. Children also use numbers in practical routines, such as counting before lunch and setting the snack table.
Yes. A cooked lunch can be provided for an additional charge, and morning and afternoon sessions have options that include lunch.
No. Nursery children cannot use the school's breakfast or after-school provision.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process. The application route is Cornwall Council.
