Our approach to learning at Maria Grey Nursery School is based on the ‘child-centred’ educational philosophy of Froebel. This is a process of discovery learning, enabling the child to develop individually in a happy and caring environment.

The varying needs of each child are met through the provision of a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities which promote, develop and encourage the child’s natural curiosity and creativity.

The pre-school years (3 years to 5 years) have been termed the Early Years Foundation Stage under the National Curriculum. This stage is organised into six areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; Physical Development and Creative Development. Each area has its own Early Learning Goals. Maria Grey Nursery School provides this essential curriculum for all children through the play activities it offers and the extensive range of resources it has available. The Foundation Stage ends at the end of the Reception year, which is usually completed in a local authority primary school.

The School has its own lending library, and children are able to select books to take home on a weekly basis.

Children are encouraged to develop a positive attitude towards learning, and a ‘smiley face’ reward system is used to encourage all areas of growth, for example, making an effort, perseverance, courage, helping others, improving work.  When a child makes a significant developmental step it is immediately fed back to the parent/carer so that praise can be reinforced at home.

Observations are made, and a child’s progress in all the areas of learning is carefully monitored and recorded, which enables an individual programme of learning and development to be implemented.  A copy is given to parents at the annual parents’ evening to enable a child’s learning to be a parent/school partnership.