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 individual educational needs are identified and nurtured, 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, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy, 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 and experience and we see this challenge as one of our strengths. Each child is unique, so we respond to each child's individual needs and interests 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 developmentally appropriate units known as Cornerstone Caterpillars (2½ to 3 Years), Cornerstone Butterflies (aged 3 - 4 years) and Foundation Stage Year (aged 4 - 5 years), which is the receiver 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. Across our
5 Pottergate, Lincoln, LN2 1PH Tel. 01522 524622
©2010 St. Mary's Preparatory School
Happy Pupils + Positive, Trusting Parents
= Receptive Empowered Learners
Early Years Department we have been delighted to welcome everyone to their new classes, for this new school year.
Our overriding aim is that pupils and families make confident and happy relationships within the school family.
Our success is born out as we are privileged to see children running into school with big smiles, eagerly anticipating the exciting activities on offer.
Our pupils learn so much as individual needs are responded to by staff who value pupils and parents as individual’s.
As a staff team we are excited to discover the hidden treasures each child’s unique potential reveals.