The foundations of a Montessori day lie in a routine that our children can become comfortable with, but within which they have the flexibility to stretch their wings, discover new opportunities to learn, independently engage with their interests and socialise with their peers.
Our day begins at 9 am and will always involve outdoor play come rain or shine, always encompass time for the individual as well as coming together as a group, and ends at 4 pm. Half-day options are available.
A typical day may look something like this below:
A
M
Children are welcomed into the setting and we settle straight into time playing outside
WELCOME TO NURSERY
Outdoor Play
Independant activities
Children are able to self-direct their play with a range of Montessori and other learning and play materials.
Circle Time/ Group Time
As a group we sing our circle time welcome songs and may do a short activity together. The children share their chatterboxes and have a story together.
LUNCHTIME
Children are given 1 hour for lunch
P
M
Outdoor play
The second hour of outdoor play begins.
Independant Activities
Children will again be largely self-directed in their play.
Circle Time/ Group Time
Another circle time begins where we welcome all children, including those who have joined us of the afternoon.
Nursery closes at 4pm
Nursery Closes
Outdoor Play
Our day always begins with outdoor play. In doing this, we encourage our children to begin their day with physical and outdoor activities. We are fortunate to share play-space with the adjoining primary school and as such have access to a playground where we ride bikes, scooters, play football and have space for children to run about. We also have an enclosed play area with balance beams, climbing frames and a variety of resources for the children to engage with.
Circle Time/ Group Time
We dedicate time to communicating as a group. At circle time, as well as our welcome songs, we share what we have been doing, stories about holidays and friends, and share any chatterboxes that the children have brought in.
Independent Play
Core to the Montessori philosophy is the ability for a child to direct their own play and inspire their own learning. To support this we give children access to all the activities on offer, and allow them to chart their own learning through engagement with materials.
12pm - 1pm Lunch
Lunch is a social affair. Hot meals can be ordered in advance (provided by the adjoining primary school) or bring in packed lunches. We have a robust healthy eating policy in operation at the nursery that supplements the emphasis we put on physical activity, with information on hand about planning for your child's lunchbox.
The afternoon session's structure mirrors that of the morning session.