What Is A Montessori Nursery?

 

The Old School House (OSHN Ltd) nursery is proud to offer Montessori based education and each room is led by experienced and well qualified staff who treat each child who attends as the

 individuals that they are.  

**Detailed records are kept of each child’s development from the minute their join us at nursery which enable us to track their progress and ensure we notice both their strengths and also any areas for further development- Records are kept of both the Montessori curriculum as well as the Early Learning Goals stated within ‘Development Matters’**

 

What Makes A Montessori Nursery Different?

A Montessori based nursery school is not just providing the didactic materials which provide the Montessori curriculum. 

The teacher’s role in the Montessori Nursery is to be a directress, rather than a traditional teacher: we assist the children towards learning, rather than instruct them. We are the tool that the children are invited to use to make sense of their surroundings. 

The environment is thought out and prepared for the children to freely access and explore, providing a variety of activities and play opportunities for them to develop their independence in learning, but also play and interactions. 

Montessori’s holistic approach to learning, firmly places emphasis on cultivating healthy, safe, independent children through by supporting their emotional, social, physical, and academic development.

In our infant community our children’s learning and development is supported by knowledgeable staff, who interact with the children and who also supply a rich variety of activities to promote holistic development.   Treasure baskets are provided for our youngest children.   Our toddlers will enjoy a variety of heuristic play opportunities to promote and encourage exploration and adventurous learning. 

The didactic Montessori Materials are formally introduced to the children once they have transferred into either the Duckling or Gosling classrooms.  

During each session children are invited to complete a “work exercises” to which a child will be introduced to within the Montessori curriculum. 

Within the nursery context the word “Work” should not be confused with the adult interpretation as being “something we do which may be enjoyable but often is done through necessity! “Work” at nursery is always fun and interesting! 

Once the children have been shown the equipment and activities they are encouraged to choose freely as everything in the room is available to them. 

We agree with Dr. Maria Montessori that “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six…..”

It is during these years that the children lay down the foundations upon which they will build. We aim to help them develop good basic skills and habits upon which they may

build and grow both socially and academically. 

All adults at the nursery respect each child’s individuality, we speak to them as we would wish them to speak to us. Good manners and behaviour are encouraged by example and also by practical games which encourage thoughtfulness.