St Mark’s Nursery

Children are able to flourish at St. Mark's from a very early age. The Nursery is a Governor-led community provision that replaced the Natland and Oxenholme Pre-School in November 2021. The Nursery caters for children aged 2 to 4 in a large room next to the Reception Classroom with its own entrance and dedicated outside area. Being on the school site gives the Nursery children access to facilities such as the school hall for PE, the adventure play area and the wider school grounds including the Hidden Haven (school garden).   

Every day in nursery, children play inside and outside. The doors are open, and the children can choose where they would like to play. Children self-select their toys. There is always a role play area that changes regularly, along with the home corner. A wide selection of good quality picture books, both fiction and non-fiction, are available. Around the room, there is a range of mark making resources to encourage early writing skills.

Playdough, sensory resources, painting and a self-select art stations provide further opportunities for our children to be creative. Construction, small world toys and maths activities are available daily. Children use jigsaws and games at quieter moments of the day. Staff and children regularly use music, singing and performance as part of their play.

Meet the team

  • Kate Clarke

    Nursery Manager

    I am the nursery manager and a qualified teacher. I have been working in early years for the last ten years. I love teaching the children about our precious planet: animals, habitats, people and places. I also love sharing picture books and getting involved in the children’s’ imaginative role play. In my spare time, I love reading, gardening, cooking for friends, walking, and being with my husband and four teenagers.

  • Ali Morris

    Lead Practitioner

    I am an experienced practitioner, who has been working in early years for over twenty years. I have been crowned Queen of Mess at work as I love lots of sensory play such a large painting murals, shaving foam, gloop and baking; another favourite of mine is parachute play. In my spare time, I love fell walking and cycling and I also enjoy yoga. I love time with family and friends and have one big weakness: a frothy coffee and cake!

  • Donna Whitehead

    Senior Nursery Practitioner

    I am an experienced practitioner who has been a member of staff here for over 15 years. In nursery, I’m the sporty one! I like to see the children explore the outside world, whatever the weather. I plan and lead our weekly PE sessions. I am always looking for ways to encourage and facilitate physical play, whilst having fun along the way! I work with our youngest children, supporting their communication and language skills; and nurturing their personal, social and emotional development. Out of work, I also love being active. You may have passed me out and about, as I do lots of running!

  • Ann Haggin

    Lead Practitioner

    I am an experienced practitioner who has been working in this nursery for over 15 years. I have a passion for nature and the environment and at nursery I like to involve the children in growing flowers and vegetables. The children enjoy planting seeds and watching them grow into something they can harvest and more importantly eat! I also like to bake with the children (more eating!) and I love preparing craft activities to enrich their creativity and imagination. I also work with our youngest children, supporting their communication and language skills; and nurturing their personal, social and emotional development. In my spare time, I like to go walking, cycling and kayaking with my family and friends.

The Structure of Nursery Sessions

Activities are based on the interests and needs of the children. We offer a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Planning is done on a weekly basis. Small group, age-related activities are delivered to teach, observe, assess, support and challenge the children’s’ learning.  We respond to their ideas, their experiences, seasonal topics, festivals, national and local events.

The Nursery room is divided into learning areas and the activities, resources and challenges are changed during the week.

We have use of the school hall, playground, the Hidden Haven (outside classroom, garden and wildlife area) and the adventure playground.

We also join in with the school’s special assemblies, activities and charitable fundraising.

We have a weekly PE lesson and a forest school session in the Hidden Haven.

 

The Nursery Curriculum

We follow the Early Years Statutory Framework.

Our curriculum is divided into seven areas:

  • Language and Communication

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

  • Physical Development

  • Maths

  • Literacy

  • Understanding of the World

  • Expressive Art and Design

 

Term dates and session times

We follow St Mark’s School term dates.

Session times are:

  • Mornings: 8.45 – 11.45 a.m.

  • Lunch: 11.45 a.m. – 12.45 p.m.

  • Full days: 8.45 a.m. – 3.15 p.m.

 

MOSAICS wrap-around care

  • Wrap-around Care is available for children aged 3 and upwards although places are limited.

    • Breakfast Club 7.45 a.m. – 8.45 a.m.

    • After School Club 3.15  – 5.45 p.m. (5.00 p.m. Fridays)

  • This care is provided by MOSAICS (St Mark’s Out of School Care Scheme)
    email:  mosaics@st-marks.cumbria.sch.uk 

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