Preparing children for primary school through active learning
Our PreSchool classes (Nursery 1 & 2) are designed to prepare children for their first year in primary school. At this stage, we help them build the foundations for their future academic experiences and satisfy their curiosity by learning new concepts through hands-on activities and guided exploration.
At Franciscan Catholic School, we believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in meaningful activities that spark their interest and imagination. Our PreSchool programme combines structured learning with plenty of opportunities for creative play, ensuring a balanced approach to early education.
You can rest assured that every child in our care will be happy, secure, and appropriately challenged. We operate an open door policy and encourage you to come along anytime to see for yourself how your child is thriving in our nurturing environment.
Learning experiences tailored to each child's developmental needs and interests
Concrete experiences that make abstract concepts meaningful and memorable
Activities that stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity
Age-appropriate introduction to Catholic values, prayers, and traditions
Personalized attention for optimal development
From 3 years of age, we maintain a teacher-pupil ratio of 1:8. This low ratio enables us to support your child as he or she develops more advanced social skills by participating in small group activities.
Our experienced teachers are able to provide individualized attention, carefully observing each child's progress and adjusting instruction to meet their unique needs. This personalized approach ensures that every child receives the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
More one-on-one interaction with teachers
Better monitoring of individual progress
Increased opportunities for participation
More personalized learning experiences
Stronger teacher-child relationships
Enhanced safety and supervision
A holistic approach to early childhood education
The areas of development that are followed in our PreSchool Classes are aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, ensuring a comprehensive approach to early childhood education.
Building self-confidence, making relationships, managing feelings and behavior, and developing a sense of community and belonging.
Developing listening and attention skills, understanding language, and speaking clearly to express ideas and feelings.
Early reading and writing skills, including phonics, letter recognition, and developing a love for stories and books.
Understanding numbers, shapes, spaces, and measures through hands-on activities and everyday experiences.
Exploring people, places, technology, and the environment to develop knowledge about the world around them.
Developing gross and fine motor skills, coordination, control, and movement through active play and structured activities.
Exploring and using media and materials, being imaginative, and expressing ideas through art, music, dance, and role-play.
Our PreSchool regularly takes children outdoors as this encourages the use of descriptive language which promotes learning. Lots of phonics, early stage writing and reading takes place at this stage, and through all activities, the children learn about numbers, shapes, sizes, and colors in meaningful contexts.
Balanced structure for optimal learning
Children are greeted by their teachers, hang up their belongings, and engage in quiet table activities as they settle in for the day.
Children gather for morning prayer, attendance, calendar activities, weather discussion, and an introduction to the day's theme.
Phonics instruction, letter recognition, storytelling, and early writing activities tailored to developmental stages.
Healthy snack followed by supervised free play, developing social skills and independence.
Hands-on learning with numbers, shapes, patterns, sorting, and problem-solving through games and manipulatives.
Structured and free play outdoors to develop gross motor skills, explore nature, and engage in sensory experiences.
Blessing before meals, nutritious lunch, and practicing table manners and self-help skills.
Nap or quiet activities like looking at books, puzzles, or drawing for those who don't sleep.
Art, music, drama, and creative play that encourages self-expression and fine motor development.
Age-appropriate religious education through stories, songs, and activities that introduce Catholic values.
Review of the day's learning, closing prayer, preparation for home, and organized dismissal.
This schedule provides a general framework for our day. We maintain flexibility to respond to children's interests, needs, and special events. Specialist classes such as Music, Physical Education, and Computer Skills are integrated throughout the week.
Balancing structure and exploration
At Franciscan Catholic School, we believe that young children learn best through a combination of guided instruction and exploratory play. Our PreSchool programme balances teacher-directed activities with child-initiated learning experiences.
Dedicated spaces for reading, writing, math, science, art, dramatic play, and building that allow children to explore different subjects at their own pace.
Targeted teaching in small groups allows teachers to address specific skills and concepts while providing individualized support.
Extended investigations of topics that interest children, integrating multiple subject areas and developing research and critical thinking skills.
Opportunities to work with peers on shared goals, developing communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills.
Building readiness for the next educational stage
As children progress through our PreSchool programme, we gradually introduce skills and routines that prepare them for a successful transition to Primary School. Our Nursery 2 curriculum is specifically designed to build school readiness while maintaining an age-appropriate, play-based approach.
Following multi-step directions
Recognizing and writing letters and numbers
Beginning reading skills and phonological awareness
Basic counting and number concepts
Fine motor skills for writing and self-care
Listening attentively during group instruction
Working independently on tasks
Social skills for positive peer interactions
Self-regulation and emotional management
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Our teachers work closely with parents during this important transition period, providing regular updates on your child's progress and offering guidance on how to reinforce school readiness skills at home.
Give your child the gift of a joyful, enriching early education experience that builds a strong foundation for future academic success.