St Christopher’s Featured in Muddy Stilettos Good Schools Guide

8th June 2026

We are delighted to be featured in the latest Muddy Stilettos Good Schools Guide, which explores how parents can encourage independence in the early years.

At St Christopher’s Nursery & School, we believe some of the most important learning happens in the smallest moments. Not just learning to read, write or count, but learning to try, explore, problem solve and develop the confidence to say, “I can do it myself.”

The Muddy Stilettos feature highlights the importance of nurturing independence from an early age and includes insights from our Early Years team on how children can be supported to develop confidence, resilience and practical life skills.

At St Christopher’s, independence is woven naturally into everyday life. From preparing snacks in our child-sized kitchen to confidently organising belongings, pouring drinks and taking responsibility for simple tasks, children are encouraged to take ownership of their environment in ways that feel purposeful, enjoyable and age appropriate.

Through hands-on experiences, predictable routines and gentle encouragement, children build the confidence to have a go, make choices and solve problems for themselves. Whether mastering the “coat flip”, exploring the outdoors in Forest School or collaborating with friends through play, these everyday achievements help develop self-belief and a lifelong love of learning.

Alongside this, children benefit from a rich and balanced curriculum, including specialist teaching in French, music, art, PE and Forest School, as well as strong foundations in phonics and numeracy. By combining academic readiness with emotional confidence and practical independence, children leave Nursery feeling secure, capable and excited for the next stage of their educational journey.

We are proud that our approach has been recognised by the Muddy Stilettos Good Schools Guide. To find out what Muddy Stilettos had to say and read the full feature, please click here.