Reception Starters September 2023

The Early Years at Plympton St. Mary Infants

Within our Early Years Classroom the curriculum is designed to recognise children’s prior learning from previous settings and their experiences at home. We respect that children have different starting points and we strive to provide a nurturing environment for all. We do this through providing a range of child led, hands on learning opportunities. We believe that the ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values. As such we provide many first hand experiences to underpin the children’s knowledge, with the aim of broadening their understanding of the world around them.  

We believe that our first experiences of school should be happy and positive, enabling us to develop a lifelong love of learning. In order to provide this climate we use positive language to build a positive sense of self. We provide an environment which will enable children to trust in themselves and in their peers, building resilience, ambition and integrity. 

Every child is recognised as a unique individual and we celebrate and welcome the broad range of cultures within our community. We endeavour to make the children and their families feel valued, respected and empowered to make choices which influence their own lives for the better. In order to achieve this we use a nurturing approach to promote positive attitudes to both learning and behaviour. This will enable the children to respect and value the fullness of themselves. 

Community involvement and parental engagement form another essential parts of our curriculum. Children leave the unit with a sense of belonging to a tightly knit community. They have the confidence and skills to make decisions and self-evaluate, make connections and become lifelong learners.

What our Parents and Carers say about joining the Early Years at Plympton St Mary Infants!

'Mrs Weatherston has gone above and beyond her role of being a teacher. There is love in all she does. She has taken our son and his class under her wings and has taught them so much already in this first term. She has kept them safe and has challenged them, taught them and helped them grow. She enthusiastically follows the children's lead and plans lessons around their interests. Nothing is too much bother for her and the daily communication with parents is wonderful. She is warm and welcoming and makes our son feel safe. A massive thank you for all she does.'

'My child has had a great first three months at school all of which is down to you. I've been so impressed with the early Years team and it's obvious how hard you all work. Thank you so much!'

'A massive thank you to Mrs Weatherston for making our daughter feel so welcome and helping her to settle so well, being taken from all her friends from old school who she went to nursery with to a new school with knowing no one. Sh really did settle so well and she talks so highly of you also saying she is so nice mummy, she always makes me smile and to me that is heart warming and i finally feel settled and happy. I have seen such a positive change in my children.'

'I would just like to say how amazingly you are all doing especially through the pandemic and in a very difficult year for everyone but St Mary's  primary school are doing a great job in keeping the children's spirits lifted.'

'Mrs Weatherston and Mrs Young, , we could not have asked for a better start to our son's time at school. He has settled do well and it's incredible to see and hear all the amazing things he is very clearly learning! We were concerned with everything that is going on in the world right now that its would have an effect on his school experience. We needn't worried as he is clearly loving it and it's all down to everyone's hard work and approach.'

'Thank you for the BEST start to school and for the fun! My boy little boy runs into school every morning!'

'Our child couldn't have had a better start to her school life! EYFS is a fun place to be and learning is planned for meticulously. Thank you!'

'Mrs Weatherston has had such an impact on our child. Thank you for the amazing amount of work and effort you have put into making all the Bumblebees transition into school so easy for them. Our child loves every second of school I cannot believe the progress she has made so quickly and she is so proud of her achievements. You can really see the love and care you put into everything you do. Thank you to you and Mrs Young for looking and loving after our precious daughter.'

'Mrs Weatherston, ever since our child has started Plympton St Mary's school she has enjoyed every minute. The way she comes home and talks about all the exciting things you have been doing is all down to you. All the different and exciting lessons you have out into place. We are so grateful for how you have kept us informed of everything and always being available to discuss anything with us. We cannot thank you enough for being such a lovely and kindhearted teacher who has provided a great start to our daughters school journey. We can see you have put in so much effort into helping all the children and how you really want them to do well. St Mary's should be proud to have a teacher like you. Our daughter will not want to leave you next year! Thank you!'