More on Montessori & Caterpillars
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The origins of Montessori Education
Maria Montessori was born in Ancona, Italy in 1870. During here early work with children with special needs, she developed learning materials to help them follow a normal academic programme and enter the state school system. Maria Montessori was so impressed with the results from these children that she was inspired to continue her work on a much broader basis. Her aim was to show that if special needs children could achieve a standard approaching that of the national average, then other children using the same learning materials could achieve a standard higher than the national average. In 1907, the first Montessori school opened starting the widespread adoption of the Montessori method of education.
For more information about Montessori please visit the Montessori Centre International.
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What does Montessori mean?
The essence of Montessori education is that every child is treated with respect, given freedom within the limits of a carefully structured environment, and allowed to develop naturally at his or her own pace.
In the Montessori classroom the children choose from a wide range of self-educating and self-correcting activities, working with each for as long as he or she needs to.
“Learning the correct answers will get a child through school, but learning how to learn is a preparation for life.” - Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori recognised that children have a natural willingness to explore and that the best motivation for learning is self-motivation.
In many schools, direction in everyday skills, social graces and discipline are sometimes lacking.
In Montessori Schools, the children learn these skills as well as covering a whole range of academic subjects. At Caterpillars, the teachers work closely with learning materials developed by Maria Montessori to help children learn in a more creative and positive way. We set expectations of appropriate behaviour based on respect for people and property.
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Caterpillars Montessori Nursery School
At Caterpillars Montessori schools, qualified staff encourage children to develop independence, co-ordination and motor skills through Montessori exercises for practical life. Children also refine their five senses using sensorial apparatus.
The children are introduced to Mathematics, Reading and Writing activities at an early age so we can help them to develop these skills throughout the period they are here with us.
They are also given an introduction to Geography, History and Science and further have the choice of learning simple French.
We include Music and Art every day to encourage the children to express themselves.
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Learning is fun
We believe that if learning is designed to be fun for the child then the greater the benefit will be.
There are many activities and games that are both educational and fun, but as they are enjoyable for the children, they see them as exciting and new! At Caterpillars, children learn through natural development and are not forced to do anything, we simply direct them to something which will both stimulate and encourage them.
We encourage the children to socialise with their peers. At the start of each session at Caterpillars we have ‘circle time’ when each child is encouraged to interact. This is also when we discuss the topic for the week. Other small group activities we have at Caterpillars include cooking, craft work, music and movement, and physical education.
After their group snack break there is a period of time for free play.
We keep comprehensive records on each individual child and provide you with a written progress report on your child, to which you can add, at the end of each term. Your child’s Keyworker will also write an individual learning plan for your child each term.
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Aims of Caterpillars Montessori Ltd
Below is a list of our aims and objectives:
- To provide a caring and stimulating environment for your child.
- To encourage independence and confidence within your child.
- To work closely with parents to gain knowledge of each individual child and their experiences. We acknowledge that parents are the primary educators and we aim to work together to provide the best possible curriculum for every child.
- To ensure that all children develop an understanding of how other people live and learn.
- To use the Montessori method to encourage active learning and to ensure children learn at their own pace.
- To follow the Early Learning Goals for the Foundation Stage to ensure the children are learning through a variety of planned and purposeful activities.
- To encourage children to learn for themselves and to be able to make choices and decisions.
- To ensure your child feels secure in the Nursery School and is confident to express their feelings and to understand others.
- The maximum Staff:Pupil ratio is 1:6. We aim to provide a ratio of 1:5 or better.
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Accreditation & Regulation
Caterpillars Montessori Nursery Schools are approved by the Montessori Centre International to accommodate students to carry out their teaching practice. The Nursery School is inspected by OFSTED annually and is registered to accept the DFEE grant for eligible 3 and 4 year olds.
Please ask our staff for further information or to read a copy of our OFSTED report.
