Learning Through Play & Exploration
Little Hands, Big Potential
At St Christopher’s, play is the foundation for joyful learning. Guided by our ‘Lid-Off’ approach, we believe young children have limitless potential. We give them the freedom to explore, the encouragement to try and the gentle support to grow. Creativity, communication and curiosity sit alongside practical life skills, helping children feel capable, proud and excited for each new discovery.
By the end of Nursery, our children are confident, sociable and ready to embrace Reception with enthusiasm and self-belief.
Nurturing Independence
Developing Confidence
Independence is woven into everyday life at St Christopher’s. Children learn to prepare snacks, pour drinks, bake and tidy up – embracing responsibility with confidence. Small challenges become meaningful milestones, nurturing self-care, resilience and kindness.
Our purpose-built child-sized kitchen offers daily hands-on experiences, from chopping vegetables to baking hedgehog bread rolls. These moments develop fine motor skills, healthy habits and a love of tasting what they’ve created.
The Heart of School Life
A Warm Sense of Belonging
Nursery children are fully welcomed into the St Christopher’s community. House events, including our Nursery Sports Day, create proud moments and wonderful connections with the older children. Much-loved traditions – like the Pancake Relay Race and our charity one-mile run – bring children of all ages together, showing the power of teamwork, encouragement and shared joy.
Our Daily Learning Environment
Spaces Designed for Exploration
Our Nursery children enjoy a carefully structured day led by our qualified Nursery teacher and experienced Key Group leaders. With six vibrant learning areas – including a kitchen, creative studio, role-play room and beautiful outdoor spaces – children move freely between environments that inspire imagination and purposeful play.
Daily activities may include:
• Role-play linked to our themes and books
• Writing and mark-making corners
• Water and sound play
• Mud kitchen and sand experiences
• Large construction kits
• Bike and scooter zone
• An outdoor classroom for circle time and group work
These spaces allow children to follow their interests, challenge themselves and learn at their own pace.
Open-Plan Learning
A Curriculum That Inspires
We balance structured small-group sessions with open-plan exploration to ensure children remain curious, motivated and fully engaged. Each term follows a theme that enriches all seven EYFS areas of learning.
Prime Areas:
Communication & Language • Physical Development • Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Specific Areas:
Literacy • Mathematics • Understanding the World • Expressive Arts & Design
Each learning area is designed to support these skills, from fine-motor and writing challenges to creative materials, cooking experiences and storytelling zones.
Building Strong Foundations
Early Literacy, Language and Key Skills
All Nursery children enjoy daily small-group phonics sessions, supported by our EYFS specialist who listens to them read as they progress. Pre-Reception children bring home books and book bags, and all children can borrow from our vibrant school library – helping to encourage a love of reading from the very beginning.
Throughout the day, Key Group time reinforces new concepts through art, cookery, Musical Movement and Wake & Shake sessions. These activities support physical development, coordination, stamina and concentration in joyful, age-appropriate ways.
Trips & Experiences
Bringing Learning to Life Beyond the Classroom
We enrich learning with real-world experiences that spark imagination. Nursery children enjoy professional theatre performances alongside the whole school, giving them a magical early taste of live storytelling.
As they move into Pre-Reception, children embark on their first coach trip – often linked to their topic, such as the ever-popular Little Street visit. Local outings to the library and nearby parks further enhance learning, all supported by our exceptionally high staff–pupil ratios to ensure calm, safe and happy adventures.