Apply to nursery

Starting school is a big step for any child and our early years facility ensures our young children are given the very best start.  At Stella Maris we call nursery Pre-Prep as we don’t see it as a day care facility but as a caring and stimulating environment which prepares children for their school years ahead. Pre-Prep places particular importance on ensuring that new pupils quickly settle into our wonderful school community.

Welcoming children from the age of three, our Pre-Prep classes provide the perfect environment for early learning. Children enjoy happy, secure, caring surroundings where class sizes are small to ensure that social, academic and creative skills are built and nurtured.

Excellent relationships are established between parents and teachers, who work together to make certain all children fulfil their academic and social potential. For the convenience of working parents, before school care is also provided at no extra cost from 8 am.

Morning sessions focus on laying firm foundations in number work, writing and reading, when the class teacher hears every child read individually each day.

Afternoon sessions offer opportunities and experiences within the wider Curriculum and encourage exploration, discovery and creativity through independent, structured and focus activities. These usually relate to the topic being studied, and typically include: Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, Colour, People Who Help Us, Money, Shape and Pattern, Weather, Journeys and Holidays.

Sand, water and Small World Play are used to stimulate the imagination. Sewing cards, beads, threading, Play-Dough, jigsaws and construction toys are used to develop fine motor skills. We teach children to ‘care and share’, praise them for their positive behaviour, encourage self-discipline, confidence, happiness and independence as each child becomes a valuable member of the school community.

The school accepts tax credits towards the nursery fees – see details of our fees here