Give your child a head start!

Welcome to the Stables, St Mary’s Early Years Department, which provides all year round care for girls and boys from birth to four years. The setting is open for 51 weeks per annum from 8am – 6.00 pm and a flexible attendance pattern can be organised to suit your child’s needs.

Babies from birth to 18 months enjoy the homely and relaxed environment of the nursery unit. Babies and toddlers need a balance of warmth and care together with stimulation and support.  This is provided through the key worker system. The bond that develops between baby and carer is an important relationship and consistency of care is a vital component in building trust for both babies and parents.

At 18 months, toddlers are offered a slightly more structured day together with resources to nurture curiosity and a range of topic-based creative activities as well as lots of messy play involving paint, sand, water and glue!

In the pre-school Kindergarten, children aged 3 - 4 years, are provided with a stimulating, individualised learning environment as they embark upon their early numeracy and literacy skills.  Particular emphasis is placed upon establishing children's command of letters and sounds using 'phonics' teaching methods.  The children also enjoy access to computers, a purpose-built gymnasium and adventure playground.

In the summer term, the pre-school children will spend time in the Preparatory School as they prepare for the start of formal schooling in Reception class.  In so doing we ensure that the children feel a vital and valued part of our large and supportive school family from the very start.

 "Careful planning for children's needs by experienced and well qualified staff, together with the creative use of resources, ensure that children achieve well and make good progress." ISI 2010

Organisation

We have organised the Early Years Department into three distinct groups to meet the needs of babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

Our staff to children ratios are as follows:

Babies 1:3
18 months to 2 years 1:3
2 to 3 years 1:4
3 to 4 years 1:8.

Every member of staff is CRB checked and well qualified.

Security

Security is given the highest priority at St Mary’s. Children are always supervised and contained safely within their own secure, gated playground and nearby adventure playground.  The front door to The Stables is permanently locked requiring a security code to open it.  A designated person and password system is also assigned to each child when they enrol at The Stables.

'In each class adults are vigilant in their care of children and help them to develop safe and healthy habits and to behave well.' ISI 2010

With each step they gain confidence...

Partnership with Parents

'Links with parents are strong and they are kept well informed about their children’s learning and development.'  ISI 2010

We develop a vital partnership between home and school and parents always have access to the teaching staff. In addition parents receive a daily written account of their child’s day.

Nursery care is an important partnership between parents and carers. Information regarding your child’s routines, sleep patterns, sleeping positions and comfort aids will be acted upon to ensure that we care for your child effectively. Parents will receive a detailed feedback sheet to include notes on the baby’s day, feeds and food, sleep and activity.  A nutritious and wholesome midday meal is cooked on site daily.