OUR NURSERY
COOLHAM MONTESSORI
We care for children aged 2 to 5 years old and open during term time only, from 8.30 am to 3 pm on Monday to Thursday and from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm on Friday. Spring Term 2024 begins Wednesday 3rd January and finishes on Thursday 28th March, with Half Term falling on Monday 12th February- Monday 19th. Closed Thursday 2nd due to local elections.
Once enrolled at Coolham Montessori your child can enjoy the facilities and equipment we have to offer. Our Nursery is structured to allow every child access to all equipment, with scaled down furniture so that the child can master their environment and see the world as equals. Under appropriate supervision and guidance, they have the freedom to choose an activity that interests them. This is likely to hold their attention and develop concentration. Each child’s stage of learning is observed and recorded so that equipment can be presented within the child’s capabilities. The nursery also looks out onto a huge green paying field and childrens play area which is used for group activities, gym sessions, picnics and events.
All our staff under go rigorous vetting and induction programmes to ensure we provide the very best care for your child. Please feel free to look at all our policies and procedures and ask any member of staff questions. We will work within our registration requirements at all times and to a very high and safe standard.
WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER
We incorporate a range of different activities and areas of learning into our everyday routine, including use of sensorial equipment, practical life applications, language skills, mathematics, gym sessions, as well as having a broad focus on curriculum based lessons such as science, geography and history. This may be in the form of nature walks, gardening, cooking activities, sand and water play, or use of magnets, weights and scales. Calendar and weather charts are also kept daily. In addition to academic achievement, great importance is placed on social skills. Children are taught to respect one another and their surroundings, and teachers actively encourage social interaction and co-operation between children. Have a look at our calendar to see this terms themes and topics.
Following the Montessori way of learning and the Government’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, we ensure there is ample activities that children can choose depending on what they want to do. This also ensures the Seven areas of learning are covered:
⦁ communication and language
⦁ physical development
⦁ personal social and emotional development
⦁ literacy
⦁ mathematics
⦁ understanding of the world
⦁ expressive arts and design
Sensorial equipment is equipment that has been specifically designed to stimulate the child’s senses and to help them experience new concepts. This equipment is mostly self-correcting, allowing the child to learn by correcting their own mistakes. Many of these materials provide the child with direct and indirect experience in the field of mathematics, reading, science and music.
In terms of practical life, children enjoy imitating activities and tasks that adults carry out around them and often those that seem mundane to us will be seen as exciting and challenging to a child. For example, polishing silverware can give the child a sense of fulfilment as well as improving co-ordination and concentration. By allowing the children to wash up their own cups and mop up spills they can gain a sense of independence and community.
An enjoyment of language is encouraged through stories, poems, action songs and games. Whilst children are able to communicate on a one to one basis, they will also have the opportunity to talk to the class as a whole. An example of this is the ‘Bertie Bear’ activity whereby a child is allowed to take this nursery teddy bear home for the weekend and it is then included in as many experiences as possible with the child. The child then returns and relays the recent events to the class - often with great enthusiasm. There is also a specific ‘Sound of the Week’ and each child is encouraged to bring something from home beginning with this letter.
Early skills for reading and writing are encouraged by use of crayons, pencils, paint and so on, as well as specialised sensory equipment, which is designed to develop dexterity.
Gym sessions develop physical skills and activities include running, jumping and balancing as well as team games. Self expression is encouraged through music, movement and drama.
Whilst many mathematical skills are gained indirectly with use of equipment in the classroom, mathematical concepts are also reinforced by direct activities including sorting, matching, counting, weighing, number songs, rhymes and stories. By using equipment such as number rods, calculators, dice games, scales and incorporating role play, knowledge of mathematics is gained in many enjoyable ways.
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
Our afternoon sessions are held on Monday to Thursday, given there are sufficient numbers, and differ slightly to our morning sessions, focusing on giving the children confidence in areas that are not experienced during our morning sessions, but will benefit them when they begin school. For example changing into their gym clothes for physical activity classes (and finding their own clothes to change back into!), and having lunch with the other children. We also concentrate on the Montessori skills on a one to one basis in the afternoons.
Full day sessions require your child to bring a packed lunch with a non-fizzy drink. Water will also be supplied at lunch, and lunchboxes must contain an ice pack to conform with health and safety regulations. This activity in itself prepares your child for primary school, as we encourage the children to be independent in eating and undoing their lunchboxes. Sometimes packaging can be difficult for the children to undo by themselves and although we are on hand to assist, it is a good idea to get them used to being independent, ready for school. Please bear this in mind when making lunches, for example; peeling an orange, and putting segments into a sandwich bag or putting a few crisps into a plastic container with an easy open lid.
Gym sessions are also held in the afternoon, and require a bag with shorts, a T-shirt, and plimsolls or trainers in. These must all be marked with your child's name to avoid being lost or taken by someone else.
OUR GOALS AND AIMS
At Coolham Montessori our aims are simple:
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To provide a safe, stimulating environment
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To provide continuity of care
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To provide high quality care
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To make sure the children enjoy and achieve
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Help the children to learn, develop and grow
We believe each child is entitled to have support, safety, respect, continuity of care, a healthy environment and is allowed to enjoy and achieve. All children are treated as individuals and their welfare is paramount. We will treat everyone appropriately and we require all our parents, visitors and children to do likewise.
More information about our ethos can be found in the About Us section.
FEES
Morning Session (Monday to Thursday) 8.30 am - 12 pm : £30.38 Under 3's £19.29 Over 3's
Morning Session (Friday) 8.30 am - 12.30 pm : £34.72 Under 3's £22.04 Over 3's
Afternoon Session (Monday to Thursday) 12 pm - 3 pm : £20.04 Under 3's £16.53 Over 3's
Full Day (Monday to Thursday) 8.30 am - 3 pm : £56.42 for under 3's, £35.82 for over 3's
Hourly: £8.68 for under 3's and £5.51 for over 3's
Free Entitlement:
We offer 15 hours free entitlement a week, plus an extended 30 hours if you qualify. To find out if this applies to you, click here to follow the link to the .GOV website.
2 Years Old - Free Funding the term after your child turns 2
Funding is now available for some children aged 2 and each application is assessed by the Department for Work and Pensions. We accept Free entitlement for 2 year olds if you are eligible, you can claim up to 15 hours a week. Any hours used above the 15 hours will be charged at the hourly rate as stated above.
3 years old - Free Funding the term after your child turns 3
As we open term time only, a maximum of 15 hours funded hours a week is available that can be taken as part of half day or full day sessions, unless you qualify for the extended 30 hours entitlement. Any hours above 15 a week will be charged at the hourly rate as stated above.
A deposit of £75 is required when you enrol your child at Coolham Montessori, this being non-refundable but redeemable against the first terms fees. Find the documents to register at Coolham Montessori on the Admissions page.
Term fees are payable in advance seven days before the commencement of each term, or can be paid monthly. The fees are not refundable through absence, illness, holidays or for any other reason. The fees will increase once a year, after the Autumn break. We take Cheques and BACS payments, the latter being preferable.
Notice of Withdrawal:
It is requested that one full term’s notice is to be given in writing if you plan to withdraw your child from Coolham Montessori, or a full term’s fees will be charged in lieu of notice.