Nursery

The Nursery at St Mary’s is the first step on the learning ladder into fulltime schooling. We provide an exceptionally safe, learning environment where imaginations can fly and positive relationships between adults and peers can flourish.

Through encouragement and guidance, we as early years’ educators equip the children in our nursery with the confidence to ask questions, think independently and most importantly be creative both in play and through their learning life.

This enables a smooth transition into their school years starting with Reception.

Nursery Session Times and Prices

Monday – Friday

Morning Session 9:00am – 11:30am £8.50

Lunch Session 11:30am – 12:30pm £3.00

Afternoon Session 12:30pm – 15:00pm £8.50

These sessions can also be split into just morning or afternoon sessions including or excluding the lunch session.

We also provide onsite wrap around care available before and after school each day through our extended provision STARS.

Please see the extended provision website page for more information and booking details.

Children can join our nursery with funded hours the term after their third birthday.

With both methods of funding we are able to share the funded hours with other settings eg local nurseries or childminders. We have flexibility with sessions across the week depending on days needed by parents. We also have the option of privately paid sessions if parents wish to top up half days or add extra full days for children. We also welcome children to start as soon as they turn 3. These sessions will be charged. Please ask when enquiring about a place for costs.

The nursery is the start of your child’s (EYFS) journey and we adhere to the Department of Education’s EYFS framework to make sure your child receives only the best care.

We believe that young children learn most effectively through play and have a child-centred, enquiry based approach to learning, led by a Teacher and highly qualified Teaching Assistants. Our exciting and interactive play and learning environment provides children with a safe and secure place in which to thrive.

Sessions are carefully planned using a thematic approach and activities are stimulating and multi-sensory, with a balance of child initiated and adult led learning opportunities. Our curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It enables them to gain the skills, knowledge and understanding, from their own starting points, in order to make excellent progress spiritually, morally, academically and emotionally. As well as developing a sense of themselves so that they are well prepared for their journey through Reception into Key Stage 1. Our Nursery provides children with an excellent transition into school life where they become familiar with staff members, routines of school life and negotiating the school environment.

The children also experience a wide variety of opportunities during their nursery day such as RWI phonic sessions, maths sessions, outdoor learning sessions in the Forest area, PE lessons in the school hall and cooking sessions.

Through the seven areas of learning, we provide themes that excite and engage children, building on their own interests and developing their experiences of the world around them. We recognise that all children come into our setting with varied experiences and all staff work hard to ensure that the learning opportunities provided widen their knowledge and understanding of the world, setting ambitious expectations for all children.

For more information about the EYFS framework please see the Early Years Foundation stage area of the website.

Our experienced nursery staff are happy to support parents / carers in encouraging children to become independent in developing good self-care and hygiene practices. These are crucial skills to be embedded in order for the children’s learning to develop and flourish. We support parents of children with particular needs, including SEND, ensuring that the children are supported appropriately allowing them to be successful in every way possible and feel valued. We use our wealth of experience to guide and support parents when requesting / receiving support from external agencies such as speech and language or paediatricians.

Early Years staff

Mrs Owen – EYFS Lead

Nursery teachers – Mrs Jones and Mrs Thorpe

Mrs Forrester – Nursery Assistant

Mrs Stevens – Nursery Assistant

Miss Burrows – Supervisory Assistant

Miss Clive – Supervisory Assistant

Funding

Please see information below about government funded 15 hours available to all children (the term after they are three). Also see link for those parents who are eligible to claim a 30 hours code.

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

Empower Trust Nursery Admissions Policy

EYFS Policy