Foundation Stage

The Nursery

The Nursery team comprises a class teacher, a senior NNEB  and Nursery Nurses who works together supervising a total of 60 children who attend either the morning, afternoon sessions, or stay all day.

For most of each session the children mix freely, and are able to choose froma wide variety of activites on offer.  They are encouraged to work on a one to one basis, or in a small group, with an adult.  The sessions culminate in a sharing time, singing and a story.

The Reception Unit

There are two linked Reception classes at St. Mary's.  Each class has up to 30 children, with a class teacher and a nursery nurse.  There is also support from Special Needs and EMTAG staff.  Parents are welcome to come and assist staff in the unit.  The emphasis in reception is on helping the children to settle happily into school life.  They are offered a structured day during which learning targets are achieved through adult and self-directed activities which incorporate play.  We aim to help them develop personal, social and physical skills, language and literacy, mathmatics, and a knowledge and understanding of their world.

Baseline Assesment is carried out during the first month to assess indiviual skills and inform planning.  All staff in the Reception unit share responsibility for the planning and delivery of the whole curriculum.  This is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage.