Our Ethos

At the heart of St Mary’s preschool is a deep commitment to fostering a positive, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and empowered to explore the world around them. We believe that every child is unique, with their own strengths, interests, and potential, and we strive to honour these differences in every aspect of our practice. Our ethos is shaped by the following core principles:

1. Respect for the Child:

• We deeply respect the individuality of each child and their right to express themselves freely.
• Every child’s voice is heard, their feelings are validated, and their ideas are encouraged.
• We promote mutual respect within the preschool community, where children, staff, and families all contribute to a positive and caring atmosphere.

2. Play as the Heart of Learning:

• Play is our primary mode of learning, as we believe that through play, children make sense of the world around them, express their ideas, and develop critical skills.
• We support both structured and unstructured play, providing opportunities for children to lead their own learning while also engaging in guided activities that expand their understanding

3. Collaboration with Families:

• We recognise that families are an integral part of a child’s learning journey, and we strive to build strong partnerships with parents and caregivers.
• Open communication, shared goals, and mutual respect are central to our ethos, ensuring that children’s needs are met consistently both at school and at home.

4. Inclusion and Equality:

• We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child, regardless of background or ability, feels valued, respected, and supported.
• We embrace diversity, ensuring that all children are able to see themselves represented in the curriculum, resources, and activities.

5. Fostering Emotional Well-being:

• We place a high priority on supporting children’s emotional health and helping them develop the emotional intelligence they need to build positive relationships.
• We create a safe and nurturing space where children are encouraged to express their emotions, understand others’ feelings, and develop resilience.

6. Environmental Awareness and Responsibility:

• We promote an appreciation for nature and the environment, encouraging children to connect with the world around them through outdoor play, gardening, and eco-friendly practices.
• Our preschool strives to model sustainable behaviours and foster a sense of responsibility for the planet.

7. Developing a Love of Language and Communication:

• Our curriculum and approach to learning and play is centred around nurturing a deep appreciation for communication.
• We encourage playful language experiences through rhymes, songs, and word games to make language enjoyable and engaging.
• We plan for an environment where language is celebrated, and children are encouraged to express themselves freely and listen to others.
• Our children are encouraged to tell their own stories, either through words, drawings, or even play, helping to build a rich relationship with language.
• We value the importance of Cultural Appreciation where are children exposed to different languages and dialects, as well as diverse forms of storytelling, to broaden their perspective and nurture an appreciation for language’s diversity.

8. Holistic Approach to Development:

• We value and nurture the whole child—cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically—believing that all areas of development are interconnected.
• Children are provided with a wide variety of experiences that support their growth in all domains, ensuring they are well-prepared for future learning.

9. Celebrating Joy & Curiosity:

• Our preschool is a place where joy, wonder, and curiosity are encouraged every day. We believe that learning should be exciting, engaging, and fun, and we aim to foster a love of learning that stays with children for life.

10. Developing Independence and School-Readiness:

• We support children in developing the skills they need to become confident, independent learners who are ready for school and beyond.
• Through age-appropriate tasks, children are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and their environment, such as dressing independently, managing their belongings, and making choices in their learning.
• We foster the development of essential skills, including self-regulation, problem-solving, and working collaboratively, all of which are key to being successful in school and in life.
• Our curriculum and activities are designed to help children build the resilience, confidence, and self-esteem they need to transition smoothly into their next stage of learning.

11. Self Reflection

• We believe in a culture of continuous improvement, both for the children and the staff. We regularly reflect on our practice and seek new ways to improve the preschool environment.
• All our staff are dedicated to lifelong learning, ensuring that they stay informed about the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.