Early Years

Girls’ Nursery & Reception in Hampstead

St. Mary’s warmly welcomes girls from the age of 2 years 6 months into our vibrant and nurturing community. Encompassing Pre-Nursery (age 2 ½-3), Nursery (age 3-4) and Reception (age 4-5), our EYFS department is dedicated to providing the best possible start to your daughter’s educational journey.

Housed in a colourful, homely environment, our EYFS boasts a purpose-built STEAM corner and a lovely Secret Garden, fostering creativity and exploration.

Pre-Nursery and Nursery children attend five mornings per week, with the flexible option to extend to a full day. We view every child as an individual, learning at their own pace through focussed and purposeful play.

Our comprehensive curriculum covers seven areas of learning: personal, social and emotional development; communication; physical education; literacy; mathematics; understanding the world; and expressive art and design. St. Mary’s is committed to nurturing well-rounded, confident and curious young learners. More information about the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and our 7 areas of learning can be found here.

You can view our EYFS curriculum statement here.

More information about the EYFS can be found here:

Foundation Years

Our dedicated and experienced staff focus on creating a supportive and inclusive environment, ensuring that each child feels valued and inspired. Through small class sizes and personalised attention, we are able to closely observe and support each girl’s individual growth, adapting our approach to suit her unique needs and abilities. This personalised attention helps to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and development.

Within our vibrant community, St. Mary’s places a strong emphasis on fostering a love for learning, encouraging curiosity, and promoting a sense of independence. Our engaging extracurricular activities and themed events further enrich the children’s experience, allowing them to explore new interests and build essential social skills. We invite prospective families to visit us and witness first-hand the joyful and stimulating atmosphere we provide for our youngest students in our private nursery & reception setting.

Welcome to St Mary’s School, Hampstead

Our school strives to nurture an active partnership between home, school, parish, and the wider North London community. Situated in one of London’s most affluent and scenic areas, our school is an excellent choice for families in North London who want their daughters to receive a premier education in a safe, nurturing, and inspiring locale.

“Our St Mary’s Way is the spirit by which we live: to treat other people as you would like to be treated, to do your best to be your best, to be honest and truthful, to listen to each other, to be kind and helpful, to forgive, and to share.”

Charlotte Owen, Headmistress
Pope Francis 1936 - 2025

We give thanks for the life of Pope Francis, who faithfully led the Catholic Church in the spirit of servant leadership, humility, love, and with continual compassion for and alliance with the poor and marginalised.

‘The legacy he leaves is one we must seek to carry forward and strengthen’ – Cardinal Vincent Nichols

May he now rest in peace and rise in glory.