A Warm Welcome From the Early Years Team!

We are delighted that you are having a look at everything we have to offer at our school.   We're quite a hidden gem in Burnage, just behind St Bernard's RC Church - we have a fantastic team of people who love what they do and bring learning to life for each and every one of our Early Years children.  Did you know we have a large Forest School within our grounds....? Many people don't! Visitors are often very surprised at the beautiful, entirely secure space we have for your children to run, play and learn in.  We even have our very own Forest School teacher who makes working in the great outdoors an amazing experience.  We are proud to offer small classes where your child will get all the focused attention that they need and will make solid friendships that will support them through their primary years.  If you are seeking admission to Nursery or Reception, get in touch with Ms Kay in the office and she will book you in to come and see us.  For now, scroll down and have a look and all the wonderful things we get up to.

Introducing Bernie …..our little dog who does a lot of travelling!

Bernie has a very exciting time with us – he supports the children in class; he hears them read and gives them a cuddle and sometimes he gets to go home with one of us.  Both the adults and the children love to have Bernie with them for the weekend! He then comes into school and we talk about everything that he has experienced. This is a great way to develop your child’s speaking and listening skills, as well as helping them to understand the world around them. 

Early Years Play-Based Learning – Intent Statement

At St Bernard’s RC Primary School, our play-based approach to learning in the Early Years reflects our belief that every child is created in the image and likeness of God — unique, capable, and full of potential. We recognise play as a God-given gift through which children explore, imagine, question, and make sense of the world around them. It is through play that children grow spiritually, emotionally, socially, and intellectually, developing a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Our intent is to create an environment where play and Gospel Values intertwine, enabling children to learn joyfully, purposefully, and with faith at the heart of every experience.

We aim to:

- Nurture curiosity, creativity, and independence through carefully planned, play-rich experiences that reflect the uniqueness of every child.

- Embed the Gospel Values of love, respect, kindness, forgiveness, and perseverance through shared play, teamwork, and reflection.

- Provide a broad and balanced curriculum through continuous provision and adult-guided play that ensures all children make strong progress toward the Early Learning Goals (ELGs).

- Develop the Characteristics of Effective Learning – playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically – within an atmosphere of care, trust, and joy.

- Support spiritual development by encouraging children to see wonder in the world God has created and to treat others and the environment with reverence and gratitude.

- Strengthen communication and language through meaningful play interactions, high-quality dialogue, and story-rich environments.

- Foster social and emotional growth by helping children to form positive relationships, show empathy, and resolve conflict in loving and respectful ways.

- Encourage inclusive practice, ensuring that all children, regardless of starting points or needs, thrive through play that celebrates their strengths and supports their next steps.

- Create purposeful links between home, school, and parish, inviting families to share in the joy of their child’s learning journey.

At St Bernard’s, play is sacred work — the foundation upon which every child’s learning and faith journey is built. Through play, our children come to know themselves, others, and God more deeply, learning to live joyfully, love generously, and grow fully into the people God created them to be.

Relevant Gospel Reflection

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

— John 10:10

This verse captures the heart of play-based learning at St Bernard’s — every moment of play is a celebration of life in all its fullness, where children explore, imagine, and grow in God’s love.

Early Years Forest School – Intent Statement

At St Bernard’s RC Primary School, our Forest School provision is an integral part of our Early Years curriculum. It reflects our belief that children are created in the image and likeness of God — curious, capable, and full of potential. Through exploration of the natural world, we nurture awe, wonder, and gratitude for God’s creation, helping every child to grow in faith, confidence, and understanding.

Our intent for Forest School in the Early Years is to provide purposeful, child-centred learning that develops the whole child — spiritually, socially, emotionally, and academically — while laying strong foundations for the Early Learning Goals (ELGs).

We aim to:

- Celebrate God’s creation, helping children to develop a sense of stewardship and care for the environment, rooted in the Gospel call to 'care for our common home.'

- Foster curiosity, independence, and resilience through hands-on exploration and experiential learning outdoors.

- Strengthen communication and language skills through rich dialogue, questioning, and storytelling in natural contexts.

- Promote social and emotional development through collaboration, problem-solving, and reflection in a calm and nurturing space.

- Embed Gospel Values such as respect, compassion, and community, encouraging children to treat all living things with love and gentleness.

- Support physical development through opportunities for movement, risk-taking, and coordination in natural environments.

- Encourage spiritual reflection and mindfulness, helping children to recognise God’s presence in the beauty of the world around them.

- Develop critical thinking and creativity, supporting the Characteristics of Effective Learning and early mastery of key ELGs.

- Build strong foundations for personal, social, and emotional development, understanding the world, communication and language, and physical development, ensuring readiness for future learning.

At St Bernard’s, Forest School learning is an encounter with both creation and Creator — a place where children learn about themselves, others, and the wonder of the world God has made. It reflects our Gospel mission to nurture children who grow in love, gratitude, and respect — for the earth, for each other, and for God.

Relevant Gospel Reflection

“Let the little children come to me... for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”

— Matthew 19:14

This verse reminds us that every Forest School session is a sacred opportunity for encounter — with nature, with others, and with God Himself, who reveals His love through the beauty of creation.

Early Years Language-Rich Environment – Intent Statement

At St Bernard’s RC Primary School, we believe that language is the foundation of all learning and a sacred gift through which we connect, understand, and express the world that God has created for us. Our language-rich environment in the Early Years reflects our Gospel belief that every child is ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14), with their own voice, story, and potential to communicate God’s love through words, actions, and relationships.

Our intent is to create an environment where oracy, communication, and language are central to all learning — enabling every child to become confident, articulate, and compassionate communicators who speak and listen with respect, empathy, and purpose.

We aim to:

- Develop strong foundations in communication and language so that all children achieve highly in the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) for Listening, Attention and Understanding, and Speaking.

- Ensure that language and vocabulary development are prioritised across all areas of learning and daily routines.

- Foster a love of talk, storytelling, song, rhyme, and reading, creating opportunities for children to hear and use rich, expressive language.

- Model high-quality dialogue, where adults extend and enrich vocabulary through purposeful interaction and questioning.

- Promote oracy as a Gospel act of respect and relationship — teaching children to listen carefully, respond kindly, and speak truthfully.

- Embed Gospel Values such as love, kindness, patience, and respect through spoken language, storytelling, and reflection.

- Encourage children to find their own voice, to express ideas, feelings, and faith with confidence and creativity.

- Provide inclusive support for children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), using Elklan and evidence-based strategies to remove barriers and promote equity.

- Celebrate the diverse languages and cultures represented in our community, recognising each as a reflection of God’s richness and creativity.

- Build a strong partnership with parents, empowering families to share stories, talk, and pray together at home.

At St Bernard’s, we believe that words have the power to heal, connect, and inspire. Through our language-rich environment, children learn not only how to speak, listen, and understand — but also how to love, share, and live in harmony with others, following the example of Christ, the Word made Flesh.

Relevant Gospel Reflection

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”

— John 1:14

This verse reminds us that language is a divine gift — a means through which God reveals Himself and calls us to love and understanding. At St Bernard’s, we nurture this gift so that every child may use their words to build peace, show compassion, and bring joy to others.