Welcome to our Reggio Emilia Inspired Nursery
Click here to book a Nursery Tour
Click here to join our Nursery Waiting List
We will contact you when a space is available,thank you for your interest.
For more information on free childcare please follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds
Information about our nursery
Below you will find information about our nursery, what the Reggio Emilia approach will mean for your child, how to apply for a place as well as how to check if you are eligible for help with nursery fees.
Our Nursery is based at St. James’ Church of England Primary School at Old Jamaica Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 4SU.
We have one part-time (15 hours) and one full-time nursery class (30 hours).
Our session times are:
Part-time Nursery Klee 09:00-15:30 Monday to Wednesday
Full-time Nursery Thomas 09:00-15:30 Monday to Friday
Please do follow us on instagram @reggioatst_jamesschool.
Typical Sessions
The sessions consist of fully supportive free play and adult-led activities. The children are encouraged to choose activities independently. The children have access to outside play during each session.
The aim of the Staff and Nursery is to:
- Provide a happy and caring environment in which each child is valued as an individual.
- Provide a safe and stimulating environment with quality care and education.
- Take into account the needs of each individual child arising from ability, language, race, culture and religion.
We have strong ties with St James’ C of E School but attending Nursery does not guarantee your child a place at the school.
We recognise all children develop at different rates and aim to give equal opportunities to all by providing a full and varied range of activities within the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
The foundation stage covers the ages 0-5 years and covers seven areas of learning. These stages are:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Designs
Special Needs
We support children with special needs by working in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals.
Each child is able to progress at their own pace in all areas of development.
What is the Reggio Emilia Approach?
We have adopted elements of the Reggio Emilia approach to early education. We take inspiration from the approach and implement them within our everyday practice. The approach was the brainchild of an extraordinary teacher called, Loris Malaguzzi. Malaguzzi began his career as a teacher in the 1940’s, he dedicated his life to the education of children. Some of the key elements to the approach are that the children's learning is based on their interests; that teachers and parents are co-learners in the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Teachers focus on the many ways children learn and the belief that children use many ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and creativity.
Each child will be given a home-school book and a reading folder. You will receive a weekly newsletter with a brief summary of what the children have been doing during the week, as well as some photos of their activities. You can also follow the nursery's Instagram feed which celebrates the children's work.
We have a part-time and full-time nursery. If you are interested in a place for your child please complete the nursery enquiry form on our Home page.
We are able to offer your child 15 hours of child care free each week from the term after they become 3 years old. Some parents may be entitled to a 30-hour code to help with child care costs.
You may be entitled to some support with nursery fees. The link below will take you to Southwark's free early entitlement page. Here you can check to see if you can receive any help with your child care costs. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/free-early-education-entitlement
If you are interested in a place for your child at our nursery, please click on the link at the top of the page to join our waiting list.
Government information about the 30-hour code entitlement is provided here:
https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare
Please read on below to learn more about our Intent, Implementation and Impact. In addition, you can also view our nursery curriculum map.
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At St James’ we offer a stimulating, inclusive and nurturing environment where all children feel safe, cared for and valued – made equally by God. We aim to be a constant pillar of support, kindness and love within the community. We strive to bring out a creative side in all subjects and embrace different ways of learning, starting from our Early Years. |
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Intent – At St James’ our Early Years curriculum is centred around the children and inspired by elements of the Reggio Emilia approach. We endeavour to support children in becoming life-long learners alongside the aims of the EYFS statutory framework. The EYFS is essential in securing solid foundations that the children here at St James’ continue to build on throughout their school learning journey. Following the children’s interests allows us to plan next steps accordingly to meet all children’s needs, as well as empower the children as co-constructors of their own learning. Working closely with our families creates a real strong community and a sense of belonging for the children. As our children embark on their own educational and discovery journey we firmly believe that children communicate their ideas and creativity in a plethora of ways, and we actively support them in doing so, which is why our EYFS curriculum encompasses our school vision, ‘Let Your Light Shine’. |
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Implementation – At St James’ we combine adult-led focused teaching with child-initiated activities to widen children’s experiences, awe and natural curiosity. Children benefit from quality first teaching, hands-on experiences and provocations which are set up in our engaging environments, including a Maths focused room and Atelier. At St James’ we are extremely proud of the opportunities we provide our children. Our timetable is carefully structured so that children are provided with plenty of time to extend their knowledge through our carefully planned provocations with a huge emphasis on Art and our Natural World. Provision is planned both inside and outside, allowing our environment to be ‘the third teacher’. The environment is a fundamental aspect of our curriculum, and children are provided with endless opportunities to engage in a range of provocations, which provide hands-on exploration for children to practice, test, construct and deconstruct their own ideas and theories. The themes covered in Early Years are broad, allowing us to follow the children’s interests within these. Our planning is focused around the seven areas of learning and through our carefully planned provocations children are able to develop their skills and understanding across both the prime and specific areas. Our wider curriculum is explored through our specific areas ‘Understanding the World and ‘Expressive Art and Design’, and children are well-equipped with prior knowledge linked to the wider curriculum, ready for their transition to Year 1. Impact-At St James’ we strive for our children to become lifelong, independent learners. By the end of Nursery, we aim for children to be ready for school in a holistic way. We focus on the prime areas, which are the skills needed for the children to develop in the specific areas. Our aim is to build confidence and we wish for children to be active learners, ready to continue their learning journey as they start school. By the end of the Reception year, we aim for the children to have reached their full potential and for all children to have let their light shine, by making good progress across all areas of learning, aiming for a good level of development. Here at St James’ we strive for children to be actively engaged in their learning, being curious, inquisitive and creative. Through close collaboration between key stages, transitions are smooth and children leave the EYFS with the skills, knowledge and determination to continue to let their light shine. Our Nursery Curriculum Map
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