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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.