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What is the Montessori Method?

The Montessori method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th Century. It emphasises self-directed, hands-on activities, and collaborative play. The method is based on the idea that children learn when they are free to explore and discover at their own pace, with guidance from a trained teacher. Montessori education also fosters social skills and emotional intelligence, helping children to take responsibility for their education, and help them to develop into well-rounded individuals.

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The 5 Key Areas of the Montessori Method

  1. Practical Life - Focuses on basic movements and care for everyday life

  2. Sensorial - Exploring dimension, colour, shape, texture, smell and taste

  3. Mathematics - Involving activities related to numbers and mathematical concepts

  4. Language - Involves language development and literacy skills

  5. Cultural Studies - Encompasses topics such as history, geography and science

Why Choose the Montessori Method?

Raising your child with the Montessori method can have many benefits. 

This approach to education focuses on the child’s natural interests and activities, encouraging creativity, independence and freedom within a carefully prepared environment designed with accessible materials that allow children to choose activities that interest them; promoting hands-on learning and real-world skills. The method values long, uninterrupted work periods to help children develop concentration and deep engagement with their tasks. The Montessori approach aims to nurture the holistic development of the child - physical, social, emotional, and cognitive - fostering a love of learning and independence.

The 7 Areas of Learning (EYFS)

​These areas are essential for holistic development and provide a foundation for lifelong learning:

  1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development - Supporting self-awareness, relationships and emotional well-being

  2. Physical Development - Promoting physical health, coordination and self-care skills

  3. Communication and Language - Developing children's ability to express themselves and understand others

  4. Literacy - Fostering early reading and writing skills

  5. Mathematics - Building understanding of numbers, shapes and measures

  6. Understanding the World - Helping children make sense of their physical world and community

  7. Expressive Arts and Design - Encouraging creativity and self-expression through various mediums​

Why choose a childminder over a nursery?

Your child may not be comfortable being sent from a home environment straight to an environment which can have an excess of 30 children on a daily basis. You may recognise your child may benefit from a slower transition by taking them into an unfamiliar, yet homely environment to build their confidence.

Furthermore, sending your child to a childminder can offer a more personalised and flexible approach to childcare. Unlike nurseries, childminders can offer one-on-one attention to your child and tailor their care to their individual needs, giving your child a head start in life, and identifying any developmental concerns early. Additionally, childminders often have more flexible hours and can accommodate schedules better than a nursery.

Our Method

We use in depth observations and work in partnership with parents to discover the child's abilities and needs to draw on how the child can be supported where it is needed or how they can be challenged to reach their potential using a blend of quality and play activities, materials and resources to support all the seven areas of learning.

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We follow the overarching four guiding principles of EYFS that should shape practice in early years;

  • Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.

  • Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

  • Children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.

  • Importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. The framework covers the education and care of all children, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

 

Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework For Childminders, 2024

Notable Alumni of Various Montessori Schools across the World

The success of some of these people are often attributed to their early Montessori upbringing. 

Taylor Swift - Award-winning Singer-Songwriter

Jeff Bezos - Founder of Amazon

Larry Page and Sergei Brin - Founders of Google

Prince William (Prince of Wales) and Prince Harry (Duke of Sussex)

Julia Child - Television Chef Personality

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