Welcome to St Chris Nursery | Nurturing Bright Minds for Lifelong Learning

Our Approach to Early Years

In Early Years at St Chris, learning begins with the individual. We believe these years are a time for curiosity to flourish and creativity to shine.

Our Nursery and Reception classes form a carefully designed Early Years environment where pupils aged three to five learn through a balance of structured teaching, exploration and strong relationships with consistent adults. From the start, pupils are given the space to play, learn, and grow together, developing a sense of respect for themselves and for one another.

In this atmosphere of kindness and support, our pupils feel confident to take risks, try new things, and celebrate each other’s achievements and we support them to grow in confidence, independence and curiosity.

Our culture places each pupil at the centre of their learning journey. By valuing student voice and embracing exploration through play, we lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning — and the confidence to carry it forward into the next stage of school life.

Learning that Grows with Each Pupil 

Our approach follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, enriched by the progressive ethos that shapes learning across St Chris.

We know that pupils develop at different rates during these important early years. Teaching is therefore carefully adapted through a combination of whole-class learning, small-group teaching and child-initiated exploration so that each pupil is supported and challenged appropriately.

Across Nursery and Reception, pupils develop:

  • early reading, writing and communication skills
  • confidence with number and mathematical thinking
  • independence and learning routines
  • social awareness and emotional understanding
  • creativity and imagination
  • physical confidence indoors and outdoors

This balance helps pupils feel secure while encouraging them to take increasing ownership of their learning.

Specialist Teaching from the Start

In addition to being taught by a full-time specialist Early Years teacher, and supported by Early Years Educators, a distinctive feature of Early Years at St Chris is access to specialist teaching within the school day.

Pupils take part in weekly sessions in:

  • Forest School
  • swimming
  • music
  • French

These experiences support physical development, communication skills and creativity while helping pupils feel part of the wider Junior School community from the beginning. 

A Setting Desgined for Confidence and Independence 

The Early Years classrooms provide bright, connected learning spaces with direct access to a dedicated outdoor environment designed specifically for younger pupils. Resources are carefully organised and easily accessible, encouraging pupils to make choices, follow their interests and develop independence within a calm and well-supported setting.

Throughout the day, pupils move naturally between indoor and outdoor learning. Sensory exploration, imaginative play and collaborative activities are part of everyday experience, helping pupils grow in confidence as they learn alongside others and begin to express their ideas more clearly.

Our Early Years garden offers a safe and stimulating space where pupils can explore, play and connect with the natural world. With areas for digging, planting and construction, alongside large-scale play equipment and opportunities for physical challenge, outdoor learning supports coordination, resilience and curiosity. Regular time outside allows pupils to develop independence, build friendships and experience the satisfaction of learning through discovery.

Facilities in Early Years

Nursery students at St Chris, a leading private school in Hertfordshire, play with playdoh and practise their fine motor skills.
A parent spends time with their child in Early Years at St Chris in Hertfordshire. Inspired by its Montessori roots, the Early Years is a warm, colourful and loving environment for 3-5 year olds.
Early Years specialist teaching in physical development in Early Years Hertfordshire. Swimming, music, and forest school are included within the school fees at St Chris.
St Chris offers weekly Forest School sessions for 3-5 year olds, including taking measured risks, playing with friends, and exploring the outdoor world.
St Chris is a Hertfordshire Nursery and Reception with an on-site indoor Swimming Pool, offering fun and engaging lessons for 3-5 year olds.
St Chris is an independent Early Years and Nursery School that encourages Independent and Group Learning

Students in the Early Years have access to a wide variety of resources and take part in group and individual tasks, building up the time taken per task over the duration of their time in the setting.

As part of the transition process into Early Years, we invite children and their parents to attend Settle Sessions.

Students in the Early Years are supported by their specialist Early Years teacher to develop their physical skills. Students in Early Years also benefit from specialist teaching in swimming at our on-site indoor pool, Forest School and music.

St Chris Early Years pupils enjoy weekly on-site Forest School sessions with our specialist Forest School teacher. Within these sessions, students are encouraged to take supported risks, think creatively, and explore the outdoor world.

Early Years  pupils enjoy a one-hour lesson per week at our on-site swimming pool, guided by specialist swimming teachers.

A day in Early Years is guided by the pupil's interests, ideas, and suggestions. This helps to create an exciting environment where children are keen to share their interests with their peers.

A Strong Foundation for Year 1 and Beyond 

Reception pupils receive focused preparation for the transition into Year 1 through daily phonics teaching, guided reading, early writing and structured mathematics.

Progress is monitored carefully throughout Early Years so that each pupil moves forward with secure foundations and a positive sense of themselves as learners.

Most importantly, pupils leave Early Years already feeling part of the Junior School community and ready for what comes next.

Find out more about the transition to Junior School 

Explore the Nursery Curriculum

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