Nursery Life | Preschool Colchester | St Mary’s Colchester

Nursery life

Children can start at St Mary’s Kindergarten at the start of the academic year they turn three. Before children even begin at our Kindergarten we spend time getting to know them. This helps them become familiar with us and helps the children settle in smoothly.

We find it helpful to discuss children’s learning experiences before they join us to ensure we understanding their needs. This means that together we are giving them the best possible pre-school education.

We assign children a Key Person who is responsible for their individual learning journey, and for monitoring their progress and wellbeing.

For children to gain the best out of pre-school education we recommend they join us for a minimum of two core days per week, increasing to at least three core days in the year before starting school. This provides continuity and helps children develop relationships with staff and peers, giving them the opportunity to fully embrace the learning environment. The more days children join us, the more they benefit from all we offer.

Our Kindergarten is very popular and places can fill up over a year in advance. To discuss availability, please contact our Registrar, Mrs Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594256.

Our core day

The core day is 8.30am-3.30pm. During school term time in the year before school, we will be introducing new teacher-led lessons for Kindergarten pupils. These sessions will complement the work of our highly qualified early years specialists and will be delivered alongside our existing broad curriculum, which includes subjects such as French, Forest School, music, and ballet, further enriching the Kindergarten experience for our young learners.

Children have a healthy snack of milk or water and fruit or vegetables in the morning and afternoon. At lunchtime the children join the infant pupils in the school hall, where they enjoy a hot meal served at tables, sitting with the Kindergarten Practitioners. It’s a perfect way to encourage good table manners and social skills.

Our weekday open days provide an opportunity to see the Kindergarten in action. Alternatively, private tours can also be arranged. We encourage families to visit as many times as they would like, to get an insight into all we offer. Grandparents are of course always welcome to visit too.

flexible childcare

We are open 51 weeks of the year. Children can join us from 7.30am where a buffet breakfast is offered. Extended stays until either 4.30pm or 6pm are also available. Tea is served to those staying until 6pm. You can find more information on sessions and prices here.

For younger siblings of those attending St Mary’s Lower School, we offer a term-time only option of 38 weeks. See the published term dates for further information regarding Kindergarten dates. You can book additional weeks, subject to availability.

Please contact our Registrar, Mrs Tierney, at registrar@stmaryscolchester.org.uk or on 01206 594256 if you have any questions.

Pupils’ attainment at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), in National Curriculum tests in Year 6 and at GCSE is excellent From ISI inspection report 2023 - rated 'excellent'
The youngest children in the EYFS confidently ask for resources or explain their choice of activities From ISI inspection report 2023 - rated 'excellent'
Additional Kindergarten places now available

Due to growing demand for places at our Kindergarten we are expanding and have additional places now available. Get in touch to find out more about our:

  • excellent early years provision
  • numerous activities on offer
  • first-class nursery facilities
  • flexible childcare options

Find out more