Oh oh, I visited another preschool today and loved it even more than the last one. Luckily though, it isn't inconceivable that Hugo could get a spot there if we are lucky.
We were invited to observe the Montessori pre-school which is just a 10 minute walk from our house. I loved instantly, not least because a lovely young man was working there and he reminded me of Paulu.
In the Montessori approach, everything is done to encourage independence at a young age. Children set the pace and content of what they call an 'emergent' curriculum, as it emerges from the children's interest. The teachers keep detailed records of what each child is up to and interested in, as they follow their lead and evolving interests.
This aspiration to nurture autonomy is felt in every sense and it was easy to notice the children taking charge of themselves. The place was so quiet and peaceful, each child busily working at something, under the watchful but somewhat distant gaze of the teachers.
In the main space, there is a little kitchen bench for water. There, every child keeps a drinking cup. It has their name on it and is ceramic. They are expected to look after it and be careful enough not to break it. There is a little step so that they can pour filtered water into their cup, drink, and then clean and dry their cup themselves. Tasks of real life are blended into the more traditional school activities such as painting, playdough, playing etc...
From research, I knew that the general approach would appeal to me but I wasn't expecting to feel the calm and peace that came with it. I loved it and would really love for Hugo to attend their program. I can just see him fitting in perfectly in what seems like a nurturing environment with ambitious aims for the each child.
The good news is that they do have quite a few open spots which they are in the process of filling in. Enrolments should be finalised in the next few weeks but since we can be flexible with the days Hugo would attend, we might have a chance.
What's nice is that if it doesn't work out, the other one will and would be perfectly fine but in an ideal world, I know this is where I would like Hugo to be. Fingers crossed xx
We were invited to observe the Montessori pre-school which is just a 10 minute walk from our house. I loved instantly, not least because a lovely young man was working there and he reminded me of Paulu.
In the Montessori approach, everything is done to encourage independence at a young age. Children set the pace and content of what they call an 'emergent' curriculum, as it emerges from the children's interest. The teachers keep detailed records of what each child is up to and interested in, as they follow their lead and evolving interests.
This aspiration to nurture autonomy is felt in every sense and it was easy to notice the children taking charge of themselves. The place was so quiet and peaceful, each child busily working at something, under the watchful but somewhat distant gaze of the teachers.
In the main space, there is a little kitchen bench for water. There, every child keeps a drinking cup. It has their name on it and is ceramic. They are expected to look after it and be careful enough not to break it. There is a little step so that they can pour filtered water into their cup, drink, and then clean and dry their cup themselves. Tasks of real life are blended into the more traditional school activities such as painting, playdough, playing etc...
From research, I knew that the general approach would appeal to me but I wasn't expecting to feel the calm and peace that came with it. I loved it and would really love for Hugo to attend their program. I can just see him fitting in perfectly in what seems like a nurturing environment with ambitious aims for the each child.
The good news is that they do have quite a few open spots which they are in the process of filling in. Enrolments should be finalised in the next few weeks but since we can be flexible with the days Hugo would attend, we might have a chance.
What's nice is that if it doesn't work out, the other one will and would be perfectly fine but in an ideal world, I know this is where I would like Hugo to be. Fingers crossed xx
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