- The classroom is carefully organized with low open shelves, to ensure all the activities are accessible to your child.
- There is a calm, peaceful atmosphere to encourage concentration and free movement.
Children are free to choose activities that interest them, fostering a sense of independence and ownership over their learning.
- The curriculum emphasises practical life skills, sensory activities, language development, and mathematics, using hands-on materials to help children learn abstract concepts.
- Children of different ages work and play together, allowing for peer interaction and learning from each other.
- Children learn to respect themselves, their work, and the work of others, fostering a positive and cooperative learning environment.
- Children are encouraged to be independent learners, capable of choosing their own activities, solving problems, and taking responsibility for their actions.
Key features of your child’s day
The three hour ‘work cycle’ – The Montessori Preschool school day begins with the three-hour work cycle. The children are self-directed in their choice of activity; a free flow prepared environment offers them opportunity to move between rooms choosing from an extensive range of materials and activities. Our high staff/child ratios allow your children to be carefully observed and directed in their learning. Groups of children are taken outside during this time to continue their learning in the beautiful outdoor environment.
During the morning session the children will work independently, with an adult, and in small groups. What they do, and who they work with is up to them, The adults here will carefully observe, and then guide children towards activities to help their development.
This approach allows children to make meaningful choices and have control over their learning journey. It also greatly helps them develop independence, understand themselves, and be aware of their own abilities and skills.
Snack – During this three hour period the children have access to a ‘self-service’ style snack area. We provide fresh fruit, vegetables, bread sticks or oatcakes with a choice of milk or water. The children prepare their snack as and when they feel hungry, chopping, serving and washing up independently.
Lunch – Children bring packed lunches to school. Tables are set by the children who are on duty that day, using crockery, cutlery and glassware. Children eat together in a social environment. During the summer months we often eat outside.
We may introduce certain food restrictions depending on the needs of the children in the setting.
Afternoon activities – The afternoons are dedicated to group activities which rotate on a weekly basis to include arts and crafts, project work, music and movement, cooking, forest school or walking and adventuring in the beautiful Strid Wood.
Watch ‘A Montessori morning’ to see just how much can be fitted into the three hour work cycle (4 minutes). https://youtu.be/09Y-huCMjIc
Read more about the three hour work cycle here. https://www.trilliummontessori.org/what-about-the-three-hour-work-cycle/
