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Nursery at St Issey Church of England Primary 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A dedicated space for two-year-olds within a mixed-age foundation unit gives Mini Diggers its character: younger children have their own base while learning alongside older children. This is the nursery provision at St Issey Church of England Primary School, within a foundation unit serving children aged 2 to 5. That distinction matters when considering the age mix your child will encounter.
The unit shares the school's Christian foundation and its aim of helping children become courageous and confident. At the Ofsted inspection on 7 and 8 February 2023, early years provision was graded Good. This was an early-years judgement within the school inspection.
Play and exploration shape learning here. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives it a structure: children first develop their communication, movement and social and emotional skills. For parents, that means early learning extends beyond letters and numbers to expressing themselves, becoming physically capable and building relationships.
Mathematics, literacy, creative expression and learning about the world add further strands as children develop. Planned experiences sit alongside play, rather than making the day solely about formal instruction. The mixed-age arrangement brings shared activities and familiar adults; older children have opportunities for greater independence, while the youngest have a space designed for their needs.
Outdoor learning starts in the early years, with the Venture Zone forming part of the school's outdoor provision. Books also have a clear place in nursery learning. In February 2023, nursery staff supported language confidence and children's interest in books, with activities and resources suited to their needs. The same inspection identified gaps in the school's curriculum planning in some subjects. That wider concern should be distinguished from the positive nursery-specific findings.
Starting with fewer sessions and adding more as confidence grows is an option at Mini Diggers. This gives families a way to build attendance gradually rather than begin with the fullest weekly pattern.
For children needing additional support, the school's SEND approach uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Adaptations, small-group work and individual education plans may be used according to need. Parents help agree targets and review progress, with speech and language therapists or educational psychologists involved where needed. Support can change as a child's needs change.
Lunch can form part of the nursery arrangement, and a school dinner is an option. Aspens prepares school meals on site and can accommodate dietary needs and allergies. Sharing those needs with staff helps the catering team plan suitable meals.
Attending Mini Diggers does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Cornwall Council's school admissions process and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Treat nursery attendance and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Shared experiences with older children and familiar adults are part of the foundation unit's daily organisation. They concern the child's experience, rather than securing a school place.
Families can choose between 2 and 10 sessions each week. Additional sessions and the lunch period carry charges; contact the school for current charges. Funded provision includes two-year-old funding and both 15-hour and 30-hour places for three- and four-year-olds.
Breakfast Club admits Foundation Unit children except two-year-olds. It runs from 8.00 am to 8.45 am, Monday to Friday. Places are limited and require booking through MCAS (MyChildAtSchool), making advance organisation important for families using this option.
To enquire or arrange a visit, call 01841 540232 or make an appointment through the school's main reception.
Mini Diggers is a foundation unit for children aged 2 to 5, with a dedicated space for two-year-olds.
Children can attend between 2 and 10 sessions per week. Some start with fewer sessions and increase attendance as their confidence grows.
The nursery offers two-year-old funding and 15-hour and 30-hour funded places for three- and four-year-olds. Additional sessions and the lunch period carry charges.
No. You must apply separately through Cornwall Council's school admissions process.
Foundation Unit children can attend except two-year-olds. Breakfast Club runs Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 8.45 am, with limited places booked through MCAS (MyChildAtSchool).
