Kindergarten: How Our Newest Year Group Has Taken Shape
3 March 2026
St Leonards Kindergarten sits at the beginning of the Junior School journey. Created for 4-5 year olds, it provides a clear step into school life, bridging early childhood and the Primary Years Programme.
The class is led by dedicated teaching staff who understand this specific stage of development. Pupils also work with specialist teachers in areas such as Drama, PE and Music, becoming familiar with different teaching styles and spaces across the Junior School from the very start.
Learning follows the IB Early Years approach, where inquiry and play sit at the centre of the classroom. Children are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas and follow their interests, with teachers guiding and extending their thinking. This balance of structure and exploration allows pupils to build confidence while developing early literacy, numeracy and communication skills.
Early Learning in Action
Early number and language are introduced steadily. In Mathematics, children explore counting, grouping and simple addition and subtraction through practical activities and games. In English, phonics sits alongside shared reading, discussion and early attempts at writing. The aim is not acceleration, but confidence and secure foundations before Year 1.
Learning is shaped by inquiry. Children are encouraged to follow questions and test ideas, with teachers guiding and extending their thinking. Recent investigations have included observing how ice melts and exploring how objects move across different surfaces. These moments build vocabulary, attention and early problem-solving skills in ways that feel appropriate to the age group.
A Natural Introduction to School Life
Kindergarten pupils are fully integrated into the life of the Junior School. They share meals in the dining hall, sing alongside Years 1-3 at Junior School concerts and take part in activities such as ballet. They are introduced gradually to the rhythm of school life, helping the transition into Year 1 feel familiar rather than new.
Unlike nursery settings, St Leonards Kindergarten brings together children of the same age in the classroom. This allows staff to focus fully on 4-5 year olds at a key point before formal primary education begins.
“Our daughter has thrived in the St Leonards Kindergarten. She feels part of a wider school community of children she can look up to, and she seizes the opportunities to learn at her own pace. She has become more confident and articulate, and the focus on 4-5 year olds allows staff to concentrate on their needs while introducing new challenges in a gentle way.”
– Guy R, Kindergarten parent
The Years Ahead
Kindergarten is giving children the confidence, independence and familiarity with school life that will support them as they move into Year 1 and beyond. As the programme continues to develop within the Junior School, it is already becoming a natural starting point for many families beginning their St Leonards journey.
