Search

Early Years

Nursery and Reception (ages 3-5)

Academic

Early Years

Nursery and Reception (ages 3-5)

The Early Years Foundation Stage comprises Nursery and Reception classes. Children in this stage are 3 to 5 years old. At St. Catherine’s, our flexible, purposefully designed play-based curriculum turns natural curiosity into the essential foundation for long-term academic success.

Admissions Overview

We believe that to thrive, learn, and develop, children need opportunities to create positive relationships with others and explore environments that stimulate their curiosity.

Our approach incorporates insights from renowned Early Years expert Alistair Bryce-Clegg, embedding child-led discovery into a secure, structured environment.

“At St. Catherine’s, early learning is deeply personal. We nurture the whole child—celebrating individuality, curiosity, and growth—while children lead their learning through the joy of play. By thoughtfully weaving their interests with the skills they need to thrive, we ignite a spark that continues to shine long beyond the Early Years.”
Mrs. Nancy Salaounis
Head of Early Years
The Four Guiding Principles

Our Early Years Foundation Stage is underpinned by four guiding principles that inform all aspects of teaching and learning:

  • A Unique Child: Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.
  • Positive Relationships: Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
  • Enabling Environments: Children’s experiences respond to their individual needs, supported by a strong partnership between practitioners, parents, and carers.
  • Learning and Development: The framework enables the education and care of all children, including children with special educational needs & disabilities.

Find Out More Find Out More

A Holistic Approach to Learning

By first building children's core life skills, such as confidence, communication, and coordination, we create the essential foundation for their long-term academic success in areas such as reading, writing, and maths.

  • Prime Areas: Children first need to build confidence, curiosity, and the skills they need to engage with the world around them. These encompass Personal, Social & Emotional Development, Communication & Language, and Physical Development.
  • Specific Areas: As children grow and their prime skills strengthen, they begin to apply skills in the specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts & Design.

Find Out More Find Out More

What Effective Learning Looks Like

To become strong learners, children must be given opportunities for curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm to take root. When learning is meaningful to a child, they can use what they've learned and apply it in new situations. We cultivate this through three key behaviours:

  • Playing & Exploring
  • Active Learning
  • Creating & Thinking Critically

“What makes EYFS at St Catherine's truly special is something you feel the moment you walk through the door — a place where every child is seen, celebrated, and gently encouraged to grow into the very best version of themselves.

The teachers don't just lead activities — they live them. They bring the same wonder, energy, and joy to every moment that a child feels when they're doing something they absolutely love. That infectious enthusiasm creates a classroom where curiosity thrives and confidence blossoms.

They are caring, energetic, and deeply empathetic — going above and beyond, not out of duty, but out of genuine love for what they do and who they do it for. Every child is held with warmth, supported wholeheartedly, and guided with patience through the earliest and most precious steps of their educational journey.

This isn't just early years education. It's a place where little hearts feel safe, little minds light up, and children discover just how brilliant they truly are.”

Danae A.
Early Years Parent

How to Begin Your Family's Journey

Admissions Overview

Welcome to St. Catherine’s British School. Our Admissions team is here to support you through your child’s admissions journey to join our school.
The best way to gain a genuine understanding of life at St. Catherine’s is to visit the school during the day and see our community and learning environment in action.

Visit St Catherine’s