Early Years Foundation Stage

The foundation of our whole school

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is part of the Preparatory School and is the foundation of our whole school.  The EYFS includes Nursery Discoverers, Nursery Explorers and Reception. It is an Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' school that provides a broad educational experience, including music, arts, drama, PE and swimming, along with trips and days out. 

Nursery Discoverers

Children join Discoverers as they turn 2 1/2. There are two bright and inviting rooms for the Discoverers with an interactive whiteboard and quiet areas where children can enjoy stories or quiet time. There are also busy areas where sticking, cutting, mark making, sand and water play, and many more activities are all available for all the children to enjoy: learning through investigation and fun is at the heart of EYFS.

Nursery Explorers

Children move into Explorers the September before their fourth birthday: all Explorers will be four by the end of their Explorers year and ready for full-time school. The two Explorers rooms again provide a bright, inviting and exciting learning environment. There is an interactive whiteboard in one of the rooms and quiet areas where children can read books, listen to stories or enjoy quiet time with favourite toys or friends.

Reception

As the children start full-time school they join our Reception class, in the September before they turn five. The Reception year continues to lay firm foundations for the children's learning and is the final year group of the EYFS. The boys and girls in Reception also participate in whole Prep School assemblies and cathedral services with the Senior School; a great way to foster and encourage the whole school family.

All children in the EYFS enjoy using our wonderful grounds; a large, secure and safe outside environment filled with bikes, sandpits, swings, water trays and role play areas which provides an exciting starting point for the children's play. As well as play, lunch is an important part of the school day and all the children and staff in the EYFS enjoy lunchtime together.

As part of the Preparatory School, the EYFS children enjoy using the facilities in the rest of the school, including the dining room, music room, assembly and PE hall, and the all-weather surface playground - perfect for bike and car roadways!

Parents and grandparents are invited and encouraged to participate in the EYFS and school events, and some even come along on the visits; all part of the wider family. 

The pictures and descriptions of our school only give a glimpse of the incredible experience children will enjoy at St Mary's Preparatory School so do come and visit us to find out more for yourself.