Early Years Foundation Stage

For all the latest Nursery curriculum news, please click here.

Our Nursery Provision for 2-Year-Olds

At Darwen St James, we have a specially designed nursery setting that welcomes children from 2 years old. We bring our 2, 3, and 4-year-olds together in a shared learning space, creating a warm, family feel where children learn and grow side by side.

Why Mixed-Age Learning Works So Well for 2-Year-Olds

Learning alongside older children gives our youngest nursery members a fantastic head start. Here is why families love this setup:

• Faster Language Growth: 2-year-olds naturally copy the speech and vocabulary of older children, helping their talking and communication skills flourish much faster through everyday conversation.

• Stronger Social Skills: Playing alongside older children teaches toddlers how to share, join in games, and make friends quickly, while older children learn to be caring and helpful role models.

• Inspiring Active Play: Younger children build physical confidence, balance, and coordination much faster as they watch and join in with the older children during outdoor and active play.

Focused Support for Our 2-Year-Olds

While children play and learn together, our team makes sure our 2-year-olds get the extra care, rest, and personal attention they need. We focus deeply on:

• Communication and Language: Building early words, listening skills, and confidence through rhymes, stories, and chats.

• Social and Emotional Care: Helping little ones manage big feelings, take turns, and feel safe away from home.

• Physical Development: Giving toddlers room to run, climb, dig, and build outdoors to grow strong and healthy.

Why Families Choose Us

• Open to Everyone: Your child does not need to stay at Darwen St James for Reception to use our nursery. We welcome all local families, no matter where your child goes to school later.

• Gentle Transition: Our mixed setting feels like a supportive family home, making the move into nursery smooth and stress-free for toddlers.

• Flexible Options: We help you make nursery fit around your family life.

Session Times and Funding

• Morning session: 8:30am to 11:30am

• Afternoon session: 12:00pm to 3:00pm

We accept  15 hours funding for eligible 2-year-olds, and paid sessions are also available.

Come and Visit Us

The best way to see how well our mixed-age nursery works is to come and take a look for yourself!

To arrange a viewing, please give our team a call on 01254 703260. We would love to show you around and introduce you to our nursery family.

What Will My Child Be Learning?

Nursery Overview.

For all the latest Pre School curriculum news, please click here.

Pre-School at Darwen St James

Our Pre-School offers an attractive, welcoming, and stimulating learning environment where children feel secure, confident, and eager to explore. Through exciting hands-on experiences, we encourage children to investigate, test out new ideas, and build their independence every day.

School Readiness Through Play-Based Learning

We believe that getting ready for primary school should never mean sitting still at a desk all day. Instead, we build school readiness through purposeful, active play.

• Getting Ready for School: We help children build the independence, listening skills, and confidence they need for Reception. From putting on their own coats to following multi-step instructions, children learn how to manage themselves with pride.

• Early Reading, Writing, and Maths: Through fun, play-based activities, children learn phonics sounds, count during outdoor games, and practice mark-making through drawing and painting.

• Learning Side by Side: Because our 3 and 4-year-olds mix with our younger children, our pre-schoolers get to be helpful role models, boosting their self-esteem, kindness, and leadership skills.

Why Choose Our Pre-School?

• Open to All Families: Children do not need to stay at Darwen St James for Reception to attend our Pre-School. We welcome all families in our local community, wherever your child is registered for primary school.

• A Smooth Step to Primary: Being based on a primary school site helps children get used to the sounds, routines, and feel of a school building, taking away any fear of starting school.

• A Balance of Play and Structure: We combine free choice with gentle, guided group activities so your child learns to concentrate, share thoughts, and work as part of a team.

Session Times and Full-Day Options

We offer flexible options to fit around your family’s busy routine:

• Morning session: 8:30am to 11:30am

• Afternoon session: 12:00pm to 3:00pm

• Full day provision: 8:30am to 3:00pm

We accept the government 30 hours funding for eligible families, as well as 15 hours funding.

Come and Take a Look Around

We would love to show you our Pre-School in action and answer any questions you have about getting your child ready for their next big step.

To arrange a viewing, please give our friendly team a call on 01254 703260.

What Will My Child Be Learning?

Pre School Overview.

What Should My Children Know By The End of Pre School?

For all the latest Reception curriculum news, please click here.

Reception Class at Darwen St James

In our Reception Class, we provide an exciting, supportive environment where children grow into happy, confident, and independent learners.

We encourage children to take charge of their own learning by exploring their own questions and ideas through play. Our experienced Class Teacher and Learning Support Assistants guide each child every day, building carefully step-by-step on what they already know to help them achieve their full potential.

Play-Based Learning with a Clear Focus

We believe that high-quality play is the best way for young children to understand the world. We balance open-ended choice with expert adult support to keep children challenged, curious, and motivated.

• Strong Language Skills: Talking, listening, and sharing stories are at the heart of our classroom. We help children expand their vocabulary, express complex thoughts, and build confidence when speaking to others.

• Early Reading and Writing: Through daily phonics sessions and fun writing activities, children learn to read words, enjoy books, and start writing their own stories and sentences with pride.

• Real-World Maths: We bring numbers and shapes to life through hands-on activities, counting during active games, measuring during outdoor play, and solving everyday mathematical problems together.

• Developing Independence: Children learn how to take care of their belongings, make choices about their work, keep trying when things are tricky, and take responsibility for their learning.

Why Choose Reception at Darwen St James?

• Sequenced, Careful Learning: Every activity is planned to help your child make steady, confident progress throughout the year, ensuring they build solid foundations for Year 1 and Key Stage 1.

• A Nurturing Team: With both a Class Teacher and dedicated Learning Support Assistant in the classroom, every child receives the personal attention, encouragement, and care they need to feel safe and succeed.

• Smooth Steps from Early Years: For children coming from our Nursery or Pre-School, the move into Reception is completely seamless, allowing them to hit the ground running in familiar surroundings.

Come and See Our Reception Class

We would love to show you around our Reception classroom so you can see our children exploring, learning, and thriving.

To arrange a visit or to speak to our team, please contact us on 01254 703260.

What Will My Child Be Learning?

Reception Overview.

What Should My Children Know By The End of Reception?

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