Montessori & EYFS Curriculum
In Our Montessori Pre School @ The Fruit Tree Day Nursery – Camberwell we plan a comprehensive curriculum for our children using the world renowned Montessori Curriculum a ground breaking approach to Early Years education, this is delivered alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage – EYFS Curriculum.
Our nurseries make up a small cluster of just 2 nurseries in the local vicinity of Camberwell and also Northover (Grove Park), that offer Montessori learning, providing a fast track to accelerated learning and 360 educational development. Over the last two years we have qualitative case studies that solidify this finding as evidence based.
The added value that the “ Montessori Curriculum” brings, boosts children’s developmental experience, so that children remain ahead in their learning. This also ensures primary school readiness, which is every parents dream; this is also a key “government educational milestone” as well as an indication that children are ready to graduate into the lifelong learning experience at “BIG SCHOOL”
We provide the best of both curriculums, Montessori & the Early Years Foundation Stage. Discerning parents who want the best start for their child seek out our Montessori services as they get to know the incalculable value of the “Montessori Way”.
In times past Montessori Education was considered a service for the elite however due to our already affordable rates along with the governments 15 & 30 hour early years grants (for all 3-4 year olds). Montessori is now in reach for your child and every child that attends The Fruit Tree Day Nursery group.
Maria Montessori believed children under the age of six absorb knowledge spontaneously, without effort and have an intense desire to become as independent as possible by perfecting all the physical, mental and social skills that will form their personality.
The prepared environment of our Montessori room is designed to support these aspects of development and allows our children the freedom of action to grow as individuals. The aim is to encourage all children to use their inner resources to the full; to become independent self-motivated learners who can work and play harmoniously with their peers.
Children have the opportunity to learn through their own individual activity, giving them the freedom of choice to access specially designed Montessori equipment & resources for themselves. We always encourage the concepts of kindness, courtesy and respect for others, in the pre-school environment and the wider world.
The Montessori areas of development are:
Language Development
Every day the children have the opportunity to express themselves and extend their vocabulary through conversations, songs, listening to stories and circle time. This is essential for the development of social skills and future academic work. Children learn the phonetic sound of the letters and are encouraged to build their own words before reading the words of others. Our book corners and our book home loan gives the children the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books and their uses.
Mathematics
The Montessori designed materials are used to introduce the concept of Maths. The children learn quantities and matching symbols, always learning from what they know, and can see to the abstract, developing a natural understanding of basic mathematical concepts. The children become familiar with the basis of early maths which include sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities.
Practical Life Skills
This provides children the basic skills of everyday life, this is accomplished through meaningful activities, using real life objects to practice and acquire skills of daily living. These exercises help develop concentration and co-ordination of movement, together with patience, determination, and care of one self and the environment around us. We also stress the importance of courtesy, good manners and the consideration of others.
Sensorial Activities
Materials are introduce to help refine the senses, each piece of equipment contains one isolated quality such as size, sound, smell and texture. The materials help to recognise differences and similarities. Shape defines the characteristics of written letters and numerals so we introduce geometric shapes at an early age to help with shape recognition and to extend vocabulary.
Cultural
We aim to give children an awareness of themselves as individuals within their own environment and the greater environment. To assist the child in their quest for knowledge we include activities involving Geography, History, Science, Cookery and Biology. We want children to respect and take responsibility of the natural world which includes learning about animals, insects and plant life. Within our environment we support children to develop their confidence, independence and self-respect.
Creative
We encourage the children’s artistic abilities by providing a wide range of craft activities. There are many opportunities for the children to take part in role play, singing songs and rhymes, musical instruments are played. We also have a weekly ballet & dance classes which develops balance, co-ordination and expression.
What will my child be learning through the EYFS?
Your child will be learning skills, gaining knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through seven areas of development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This will be achieved using resources, through activities and play, and through music and songs.
The three prime areas most crucial for a child’s healthy development are:
- Communication and Language
- Personal, Social & Emotional Development
- Physical Development
Being secure in the above three prime areas will help them to develop skills in the further following four specific areas:
- Literacy
- Expressive Arts & Design
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
How can I find out how my child is progressing?
It is important that we work together and communicate with parents; there will be ongoing discussions and conversations regarding activities that will benefit your child. These conversations will be with your child’s Key Person.
Your Key Person will continually observe and formally assess your child and record feedback in a Learning Journey – you can request to see this observational feedback about your child at any time.
Progress checks
There are also two formal assessments as well. The first formal check takes places sometime between your child’s 2nd and 3rd birthday. This check will assess your child against the three prime areas. It can also ensure early identification of any developmental issues so that the right kind of interventional support can be provided to keep your child on track with the expected level of age appropriate development.
If you would like to talk to us in further about the curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact us.