About Us

Session times
Monday to Friday during term time 9.15am – 12.15pm
Our school year is a maximum of 38 weeks.
Fees
Sessions cost £19 each, paid half-termly in advance.
Children are eligible for the Nursery Education Fund from the beginning of the term after their 3rd birthday. Some 2-year olds are eligible for funding, please ask the Leader for details.
No fees are refundable in the case of absence, including sickness and holidays.
CURRICULUM AND TOPICS
As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (which continues into the reception class at school), we follow the 7 Areas of Learning, which are: -
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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Communication and Language
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Physical Development
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the World
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Expressive Arts & Design
We observe how the children are progressing within these areas and set them
‘next steps’. A member of staff is allocated to each child (keyperson).
We use a variety of topics to cover the 7 areas.
Every term we inform parents of the topic that will be covered each week,
so that if the children want to bring something from home for 'Show and Tell'
they are welcome to do so.
All the time the children are ‘learning through play’.
Attendance
Periods of absence up to 3 weeks in any one term are allowed, but parents
must understand that their child will not be eligible for funding when their
child is absent from pre-school for more than 3 weeks in any one term and
that absence for more than 3 weeks in any one term will result in the parent having to pay to retain the child’s place.
Notice period
Please note that parents must give 6 weeks notice prior to their child leaving the pre-school and fees must be paid to the end of the notice period.
Waiting list and admissions
Children’s names may be placed on the waiting list and if we are able to offer a place you will be notified by email.
Most children who are offered a place start at St Mary’s Pre-School around their third birthday and can have up to 5 a week. Sessions are subject to availability and if we are oversubscribed we take siblings and proximity into account when offering places. Please note that, as most of the children leave pre-school in July to go to primary schools, the majority of new children start in the autumn term.
If you wish to add your child’s name to the waiting list please complete a registration form.
Weekly Topics
The topics for next term are as follows:-
Week commencing:-
Thursday 3rd September We return
Monday 7th September My favourite toy
Monday 14th September Myself
Monday 21st September Colours
Monday 28th September Shapes
Monday 5th October Numbers
Monday 12th October Autumn
Half term — Monday 19th – Friday 30th October
Monday 2nd November Weather
Monday 9th November Fireworks & the night sky Monday 16th November Cooking
Monday 23rd November Books
Monday 30th November Christmas
Monday 7th December Christmas
Monday 14th December Christmas