Curriculum Information

Montessori Classroom

The Montessori classroom is unique as every area is planned and prepared to meet the needs of the developing child. The classroom is a child-sized world, with chairs, tables and shelves in appropriate proportion. All equipment and materials in the classroom have a specific place and purpose.

The classroom environment offers the following:

• Easily accessible and available equipment
• Freedom of movement within the prepared environment and to make choices
• Personal ownership, with responsibility, and respect for the environment, adults and peers
• Learning from real experiences and the natural environment
• An appealing and harmonious classroom making it a joy and pleasure
• Materials through which the children can develop their skills for independence and academic knowledge

Each of these materials is organised down to the smallest detail so that children can use them independently.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
The first five years of a child’s life is a period of rapid physical and intellectual growth. By identifying the vital importance and formative nature of learning, constant effort is made to ensure that every experience offered to the child is of the highest possible quality. The EYFS framework is comprehensive and balanced, and provides progression to the wholeness and holistic  development of the child which is kept at the forefront of all curriculum planning. Children within the Foundation Stage experience seven areas of learning and development; three are stated as The Prime Areas and the other four are The Specific Areas. The three prime areas are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

The three prime areas are:
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

The specific areas are:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Montessori Curriculum

There are eight key stages of development in our curriculum:

1. Everyday Living (Practical Life)

Montessori curriculum creates a link between the home and nursery. The various activities explored by the children teach them how to care for their environment and to contribute towards the cultural and social life of the classroom. Everyday living activities helps the children’s intellectual growth and develop their co-ordination in movement, balance and grace.

These activities are divided into four main areas:

1. Activities for refinement of movement – such as pouring, transferring, cutting, gluing, folding, opening and closing and threading.
2. Activities for care of the environment – such as sweeping, polishing, dusting, putting their activity away and watering the plants.
3. Activities for care of self-e.g. washing hands, blowing nose, putting on simple clothing, preparing snack.
4. Activities for promoting grace and courtesy such as greeting visitors.

All the above will perfect skills that will aid to the child’s independence.

2. Communication and Language

This area of development involves providing children with opportunities to experience a rich language environment. The Montessori language materials are extensive and assist the children to develop confidence and skill in expressing themselves, and to speak and listen in a range of situations. It also prepares them for writing.

3. Sensorial Materials

A child’s first learning experiences are achieved through their senses of touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing. The sensorial materials provide opportunities to use these senses. They develop the children’s level of observation and discrimination as well as increasing their vocabulary

4. Mathematics

Mathematics involves the introduction to pre-maths concepts such as sorting, matching and counting. The Montessori maths materials offer a systematic approach to learning through the use of objects, while slowly helping the child in understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems, and describing shapes, spaces and measures.

5. Literacy

Literacy development involves teaching and encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. The children have access to a wide range of materials to support their development in this area.

6. Understanding the world

This area of development offers opportunities for the children to explore a wide range of topics through activities and materials based on real-life experiences. They are able to make sense of their physical world and their community by further exploration and investigation during our many educational trips.

7. Physical

This development takes place through activities such as dancing, PE and playing musical instrument. We invite specialists to lead music and PE activities with the children.

8. Expressive Arts and Design

Children are given opportunities to use and experiment with a wide range of media and materials. They are also encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, sports, role play and design and technology.