Our Methods

Montessori & Reggio Emilia

While following the government’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards, the Montessori method is the foundation of our approach to teaching and learning while we use the Reggio Emilia philosophy as an inspirational model.

We stimulate children’s cognitive, physical and emotional intelligence through attentive observation of children’s individual interests and needs. Like Dr. Maria Montessori, we believe that children’s minds need to be nourished as well as their bodies at any age and it is a child’s fundamental right to receive such support.

The Montessori Method

Dr Maria Montessori aimed to provide the right environment and conditions for children to best develop their cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills at their own pace. Her method is reflected in both the nursery’s enabling environment and in the teachers’ understanding of how to support and guide children’s needs to explore and learn.

Why Montessori?

There are many ways that a Montessori education can benefit your child, these are just a few:

Achieving their fullest potential

The Montessori approach respects the uniqueness of every child. Each child’s education is tailored to their needs and guided by their own passion and readiness, ensuring that they reach their fullest potential.

Independence

The Montessori classroom is one that gives children influence over his or her environment. With the gentle guidance of teachers, the children learn to use their own resources (and the self-correcting quality of Montessori materials) to complete tasks and solve problems.

Creativity

Montessori’s emphasis on free exploration, the joy of discovery, and artistic expression reinforces and develops children’s creative spirit.

Balance

Montessori is a form of active learning that makes room for engaged, physical, and energetic activity, all within a caring environment to promote the physical and mental health of every child.

Self-discipline and self-control

Montessori children learn to be self-motivated and keep their classroom environment orderly and tidy without external pressure.

Real-world skills

The hands-on learning approach means that children don’t just learn concepts and facts, but also practical skills with everyday uses.

Respect, kindness, and empathy

The Montessori method prepares children to be good members of their communities and global citizens by the example through community outreach and by encouraging helpful and kind behavior amongst peers in their multi-age classrooms.

Early literacy

Montessori children are introduced to literacy from a young age. This improves learning, boosts self-confidence, and starts their education on the right foot.

What is the Reggio Emilia philosophy?

We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy that considers it fundamental to offer children every possible means of expression. Children are encouraged to explore their environment and express themselves through a variety of possibilities, not only by using spoken language, but also through dramatic play, drawing, painting, building, making sculptures, shadow play, collage, music, emerging writing and gestures, to name but a few.

Particular attention is paid to helping the child understand their own patterns of thinking, through which self-awareness and self-confidence is developed and every learning experience is enhanced.

Classrooms are organised to support a collaborative, problem-solving approach to learning.

Children are encouraged to understand what other children’s thoughts and feelings are, offering the opportunity to develop the sense of being in ‘somebody else’s shoes’, developing empathy, understanding and acceptance of diversity.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy considers it very important to create space for an ongoing dialogue between children and adults where they learn from each other while generating awareness of the value of relationships.

I do think I benefited from the Montessori education which gives the students a lot more freedoms to do things at their own pace, to discover… you can tie that back to the Montessori education.