The Early Years provides the foundation on which all other phases of education and life depend. At St. Mary's, Early Years is the bedrock upon which mature, capable and confident students of the future are developed. Ages range from 2½ to 5.

Early Years ensures that all children learn and develop in a safe and secure environment where special educational needs are identified and provided as appropriate. Our approach is holistic, ensuring personal, social and emotional growth through development of communication skills as well as providing a good foundation in language, literacy, understanding of the world, mathematics, creativity and physical development.The children's progression is a joy to behold for the staff and highly valued by the parents. The children, of course, are too busy doing it and having fun to see it in this light. Their realisation comes later.We understand that children commencing school display different levels of understanding, confidence, experience and competence and we see this as a strength rather than a challenge. Each child is unique so we respond to each child's individual needs in a flexible, positive way. At this crucial stage in a child's development we encourage self-respect, positive self-image and confidence.Early Years is divided up into fun units known as Cornerstone Caterpillars (the youngest children), Cornerstone Butterflies (older children) and Foundation, which is the reception year for the Lower School.The progression through these stages is seamless to the children but professionally planned and monitored.

Children are encouraged to develop lifelong creativity, to think along unorthodox lines, break barriers, use non-traditional approaches to problems and their solution. Previously unconnected materials and influences are encouraged to merge in the child's mind helping them to make discoveries, take risks in safety, play with ideas, experience beauty and develop lifelong creativity and well-being.