MMI - Streatham
What Montessori Means To Parents
Reassurance that the Montessori Method will prepare your child for Primary School
Confidence that all areas of education are being taught in a concrete and fun way
Knowledge that your child will be given the freedom to construct himself
Commitment that you are fully aware of your child's progress
Satisfaction because building your child's self-esteem, feeling of self worth and confidence is central to Montessori Education.
Our Holistic Curriculam
Practical Life Exercises
The exercises of Practical Life, which are the foundation of a Montessori environment, provide a sane and wholesome range of activities which allow your child to develop control and co-ordination of movement, awareness of his/her environment, good work habits, responsibility, concentration, attention, independence, order and positive self-image which can be attained by spontaneous and purposeful work.
Sensorial Training
These activities are designed to reinforce the five senses to help guide the children in learning to discriminate, clarify and compare. Sensorial exercises help prepare for intellectual development in an orderly manner. The Sensorial materials introduce the concept of colour, weight, shape, texture, size, sound and smell in an enjoyable way and are great fun for the children. The Sensorial materials teach knowledge and understanding of the world, The Sensorial materials lay a solid foundation for Mathematics, Geometry, Geography, Botany, Art and Music.
Communication, Language and Literacy
Young children have a phenomenal ability to absorb language. Every effort is made to give each child as much and precise vocabulary as possible. The process of absorbing, communicating and expressing is encouraged whether individually or in a group. This is a very important part of the Montessori curriculum.
Sandpaper letters are used to introduce the sounds of the alphabet to the child when he/she is ready. In the Montessori, children do not learn by heart, but utilises all their senses to help them read and write with proper understanding.
Discovering language becomes interesting, fun and creative through activities in the Pink, Blue and Green Montessori language series. Each child works at his/her own pace -gradually through daily practices, pre-writing, pre-reading, communication skills and reading.
Montessori Mathematics
Mathematics materials are designed to give the child a sound understanding of numbers and their relationship. Work is always introduced in a simple and sensorial way so that the child can see, hold and feel a number or concept and gradually be led to an abstract understanding. Children will learn numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, length, weight, capacity and problem solving.
Cultural Subjects
The Montessori cultural subjects cover:
a) Nature study
It includes the study of living and non-living things. Children will have the opportunity to explore and understand their environment.
b) Botany and Zoology
Children are exposed to the study of plants and animals. They will be taught to classify impressions into clear and simple categories.
c) Geography
To launch the child's exploration of the world's physical environment, children are introduced to the various continents, countries, states, land and water forms and the solar system.
d) History
Through creative activities such as modelling, painting and collage, children are taught to understand the distinction between the past and present and how the past events have led to the present situation.
Field trips
Excursions and field trips are planned to places such as the Zoo, the Bird Park, Botanic Garden, etc. These trips will give the children a chance to explore the outside world and learn new things while having fun.
Creative Art
Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning to another, allowing him/her to extend his/her understanding. Children are encouraged to develop their imagination and ability to communicate and express ideas and feelings in creative ways through painting, colouring, collage, play dough, clay, etc. There are opportunities for the children to enjoy singing, music and storytelling. Through these guided activities, children are able to experience success and this in turn will boost their self esteem.
Music and Movement
A music and movement programme that develops rhythm and co-ordination in your child. It is designed to nurture and refine your child's musical abilities and help him use these abilities to express himself.
Physical Development
A fitness programme that teaches age-appropriate exercises and healthy lifestyles choices.
Physical Development is about improving skills in coordination, manipulation and control. Physical development has two very important aspects: it helps children gain confidence in what they do and also enables them to feel the positive benefits of keeping healthy.
Children naturally love to jump, hop, bounce, roll, climb, catch, balance and stretch and have the opportunity to do so here careful supervision.
Sand & Water Play
This area provides endless scope and opportunity. Sand and water play holds a sensory experience and encourages manipulative skill (e.g. pouring accurately). It also provides a soothing effect, promote concentration and leads to imaginative play. It provides an outlet for mathematical and scientific discoveries (e.g. volume, capacity, floating and sinking and weight). Sand and water play also give rich opportunities for language building.
Outdoor Play Activities
Our programme provides for organised and free outdoor play within a variety of colourful and interactive play equipments. Besides these, there will be organised water and sand play.
The Nursery School
Modern Montessori Pre School has just been established The Pavilion Cottenham Park September 2009 and our OFSTED registration number is EY 394181. Our last OFSTED inspection was 20/11/09 which states "the overall quality of provision is good " A copy of this report is available from the nursery office or can be download from www.ofsted.gov.uk .The nursery setting is placed within a cricket pavilion, which is shaded by a giant 450-year-old Oak tree, situated in the picturesque Cottenham Park. The setting is located between Melbury Gardens and Cambridge Road, it is a ten minute walk to Raynes Park over ground rail station and the nearest local bus route is on Drayton Road.
The Nursery Programme
We offer quality care for children aged 2 to 5 years. Our premises offer a large sunny room with lovely views of the garden and park; the children are accommodated in two groups where they share the opportunity to learn about the Montessori Method of Teaching alongside conventional play equipment as we are committed to the integration of the Montessori Curriculum with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Each child is allowed to develop and learn at his/her own pace; each child is free to learn, to play, to discover and grow. The principle and aim of Modern Montessori Pre School is to provide a secure, serene and happy environment where the child's abilities and skills are encouraged, where good social skills and a joy for learning are introduced in a fun way without any pressure, thus to develop the child self confidence, independence and self esteem ready for 'big school'.
Classrooms
We have created a Sensory Room where the children have the opportunity to enhance, through their senses, the exploration of different objects and their qualities.
- Our Quiet Room is dedicated to book reading, Story Telling and Classical Music listening.
- The Art & Crafts Room is dedicated to Messy Play, Art & Craft, Sand & Water Play and Imaginative Play.
Garden
The children will have the opportunity to explore physical activities indoors and outdoors; we have 'free flow' access to our safe enclosed secure garden throughout the day. Here the children will have the opportunity to engage in some gardening activities as well running, jumping, hopping etc. We have the added advantage of having an enclosed playground, which is adjacent to the nursery building. This area contains a climbing frame, swings, seesaw and a large sand pit.
Fit &Fun
We offer a Fit & Fun session each week, where the children participate in variety of physical education and sport activities such as tennis, football, hoop games, basketball etc. These are organised by professional coaches.
Parent and Participation
We welcome parent participation during the school year. If you have a skill that you would like to share with the nursery, please let us know e.g. storytelling, music, and art, dance, gardening, sports, cookery etc.
Parents are welcome to join in various activities which are various cultural celebrations and festivals: Mother's and Father's day, Diwali, Black History Month, St. Patrick' s Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, Halloween.
Newsletter
A newsletter, which contains an update of planning, activities, events, and meetings, is distributed to parents every term.
Parent / Teacher Conference
The nursery maintains records of each child's development progress, which are available to parents upon request. These records are sent home twice a year before parent's evenings, which are normally held in June and November. Parents may discuss their child's progress at any time throughout the year by making a mutually convenient appointment.
Educational Outings
Educational outings are planned to enhance learning. We regularly avail of the activities offered by the local library .We organise various outings to place of interest. Parents are given at least 3 weeks' notice and written permission is required. Parents are invited to accompany their child / s to nursery outings.
Snack & Pack Lunches
MMI Preschool is a member of NDNA (National Day Nurseries Association), which supports healthy lifestyle; we invite all parents to provide a healthy balance packed lunch for their child /s. Mid -morning snack is provided by parents on a rota basis and the child providing the snack of the day helps to prepare and serve his/her friends. Mid morning snack consist of fresh fruit and water.
Opening Time
The nursery opens from 9.15 -3.30 Monday to Friday Term - Time only.
Admissions
On receipt of a completed registration form and fee of £50 (non-refundable); your child's details will be placed on the waiting list for the term of entry of your choice.
The registration form and cheque should be sent to the nursery address as above.
Cheques should be made payable to "Modern Montessori International Ltd." Please note all application will be acknowledged in writing only.
Offer of a Place
To accept our written offer of a place at the nursery parents would need to:
- Complete an enrolment form
- Send a copy of their child birth certificate
- Send refundable deposit of £100.
Withdraw
In the event of your child be withdrawn from the Nursery please note that one full term's notice of leaving is requested in writing.
Free Nursery Educational Place (FNEP)
Every 3 and 4 year old child is entitled up to 15 hours (5 sessions of 3 hours) free nursery education per week. This doesn't include extra curriculum activities such French, Fit and Fun, Music which are offered during the sessions.
A child qualifies for this in the term after their 3rd birthday.
MMI Pre School have a standard nursery session length of 3 hour per session. The entitlement is embedded within these sessions and is not accessible on its own.
Employer's Nursery Vouchers
MMI Pre School do accept employer's nursery vouchers.
Fees for 2010/2011 -Term Fees
The fees quoted are for the term. Individual terms may vary in length from 11 to 14 weeks; however the total number of weeks in the academic year is always 38 weeks.
Payment of term fees:
Term fees are paid by direct debit over three instalments. Direct debits will be processed as follows:
- Autumn term on September 10th, October 10th and November 10th
- Spring term on January 10th, February 10th and March 10th
- Summer term on April 10th, May 10th and June 10th
- Child Care Vouchers
We accept certain Child care vouchers from employers who offer this benefit to their eligible employees as a paper or e-voucher. Vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from NI contributions for employees, whilst offering NI savings for employers. Both parents are eligible to claim as long as they are both in employment. Further information can be found at www.childcarevouchers.co.uk
Tax credits
Tax credits are available from the HM Revenue and Customs, based on household circumstances. You may be able to access help with the cost of 'Ofsted approved' childcare if you are working for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Check online at www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits for further information and eligibility.
Setting in at MMI Pre-school
At MMI we offer a safe, loving and stimulating environment for your child. We can only achieve this through developing a trusting relationship with you the parents. Before a chid starts at the nursery we invite both you and your child for a settling - in session. During this time you will get the opportunity to meet your child's key person and share your knowledge as the main carer, which is significant to us in developing your child's individual plan. Both you and the child's key person completes a setting in form "First Steps " which is the start of your child's individual learning journey and development profile ,which grows with your child during his /her time at MMI .
We discuss what you child likes and dislike their personality, how your child behaves when they are feeling a little under the weather etc...
We book additional settling - in sessions building up slowly from one, two hours, three hours and so on.
Your child will realise that they can enjoy the activities , but you are coming back, you will get the chance to get used to being away from your child gradually and your child's key person will also have the opportunity to spend time getting to know you and your child.
When you and your child are happy, confident and comfortable we can then start your full sessions. We do not charge parents for the settling in period and it is vital for us to ensure we give each child and parent the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the nursery environment before joining.
TERM- TIME DATES 2011
Autumn Term 2011
- First day: Wednesday 7th September 2011
- Last day: Tuesday 20th December 2011
- Half term: Monday 24th October to Friday 28 October 2011
Spring Term 2012
- First day: Wednesday 4th January 2012
- Last day: Friday 30th March 2012
- Half term Monday 13th February to Friday 17 February
Summer Term 2012
- First day: Monday 16th April 2012
- Last day: Friday 20th July 2012
- Half term: Monday 4th June to Friday 8 June 2012