The Environment

At Archangels Montessori we endeavour to make the setting inviting for all our users. Children must have a feeling of a home away from home a happy place full of friends where they can feel safe, secure and be able to freely express themselves. It is well equipped with a range of materials appropriate to the ages of the children. The range of materials is interesting to use, easily accessible and suitable for children’s use. It is a setting in which children are free to discover and explore as well take time out if necessary. A nourishing environment where all, children, members of staff as well as our clients, can progress knowing that they belong and feel special.

The Nursery has a very pleasant and spacious outdoor area; a patio and lawn with a plot for children’s gardening. Children enjoy being out-doors and are free to extend and explore the natural environment.

The rooms are set to promote independence, exploration, concentration, communication and the development of relationships on all levels. The philosophy of Maria Montessori to reflect an environment of aesthetic quality, and freedom within reason is carried out. Careful preparation of the environment and order are essential for the successful development of children. Children tend to absorb sensorial impressions of their environment and require correct role models as they gain a sense of the world in which they live. Children are keen learners and observers. We therefore pay particular attention to the layout of the classrooms to ensure that children as well as staff know where resources are to be found and where children do not always have to rely on adults to access materials. The environment and it activities promote independence, self-esteem, self-discipline and self-confidence.

Healthy meals are provided throughout the course of the day. Children over 2 years requiring breakfast should arrive no later than 08.45am. We encourage childern to drink plenty of water and to eat lots of healthy vegetables.

Brief note about Montessori Materials

The majority of the materials are placed on shelves and are easily accessible to the children. Maria Montessori designed materials for the use of Montessori education. She was the first educator to consider and produce child-sized tables and chairs and to promote the fact that children need to have materials as well as cupboards and shelves at their own height to be able to access and enjoy the use of the materials. She wanted the children to feel that the schoolroom belonged to them rather than the directeresses/practitioners. She knew that order is very important to children and she therefore ensured that everything had its place and that all materials were kept as neatly as possible. She created materials that she saw the children were drawn to and she removed those items in which they showed no interest. She tried to ensure that the resources provided met the interests of the children. It was the children who led her development of the materials and the children who showed her how the environment should be prepared.

For more information on the Montessori approach please visit the Montessori Method page.

Flexible Sessions

We offer full day and sessional care with regular provision of healthy meals during the course of the day. We operate between the hours of 07h00 and 18h30 Monday-Friday. From our range of multiple and flexible sessions we offer breakfast and after school clubs; for children age 2+ Stay & Play, Music, Stories & Puppet shows and in addition for children age 3+ Montessori, Football, Movements & Ballet, Arts & Crafts, and Cooking. Parents/guardians are asked to supply their children with healthy meals in their lunch box. Lunch session 11h30 to 12h30 can be provided at extra cost but must be booked in advance. Each session lasts for a minimum of an hour. Any combination of sessions can be selected to complement your family commitments. Please contact us for further details.

Download our document for more information

Policies/Directives/Standards

Archangels Montessori has sets of principles upon which we operate. Some of these policies are statutory and others adopted as they are essential for the services we offer. A list of some of our policies is printed below.

• Settling-in
• Health and Safety
• Safe-guarding
• Equal opportunities
• Integration of special needs
• Integration of children with special needs
• Parental involvement

A complete set of the Nursery’s policies can be seen at the Nursery.