St John's Priory School

Saplings [2¼–3 years]

Children start in Saplings from the age of two and a quarter years old and stay until the September when they turn three years old. In many instances it is the first step away from home and the children are welcomed into a warm, friendly and caring environment.

Children are encouraged to listen to stories, nursery rhymes and poems, and to handle books - learning that words and pictures have meaning. They begin to match and sort, count objects and learn number rhymes.

The children gain confidence and develop greater mobility and physical control by using small apparatus and construction toys in outside play. Dressing-up and play in a home corner with other children helps to develop their imagination, their linguistic skills and ability to communicate. Opportunities to explore different materials, cutting, sticking, painting and colouring all contribute to the development of the children's motor skills.

In this happy and caring atmosphere children gain the confidence and social skills required for their next stage in Nursery.

Click here to see more information on the six areas of learning.