The nursery is situated at 46 Leslie Grove, East Croydon.
The following buses stop (Leslie Grove bus stop) on Cherry Orchard Road – bus numbers 410, 197, 312, 367.
East Croydon Station is a 10-minute walk or 3mins bus ride/drive.
MMI Pre – School caters for children aged between 3 months and 5 years old.
The nursery is open 5 days a week from 8am – 6pm, 48 weeks of the year.
In the baby area we have created a cosy homely atmosphere where babies are cared for as if they are at home.
We understand that children have different routines at a young age and often their needs are on demand, bearing this in mind all activities are tailored around your child, in a stimulating environment that is always lots of fun with plenty of cuddles and attention from our staff. The children are encouraged to rest as and when they need to in our rest area, which is separate from the play area. There is a lovely warm and caring atmosphere with a separate area for non-crawlers. As children become mobile new opportunities for exploration and exercise open up. A safe and interesting environment, with age-appropriate resources, helps children to develop curiosity, coordination and physical abilities.
This is a time when children can start to learn the beginnings of self-control and how to relate to other people. In this period, children can be encouraged to develop their social and mental skills by people to whom they have a positive attachment. Building on their communication skills, children now begin to develop a sense of self and are more able to express their needs and feelings. Alongside non-verbal communication children learn a few simple words for everyday things and people. With encouragement and plenty of interaction with carers, children’s communication skills grow and their vocabulary expands very rapidly during this period. Exploration and simple self-help builds a sense of self-confidence.
Children are also learning about boundaries and how to handle frustration. Play with toys that come apart and fit together encourages problem-solving and simple planning. Pretend play helps children to learn about a range of possibilities. Adults are an important source of security and comfort.
Babies have a high level of interaction during which the following activities are introduced.
Is a bright and beautifully arranged environment, which is specifically designed for children between the ages 1.5 – 2 .8 years Toddlers are changing rapidly and becoming young children instead of babies. They will slowly be introduced to toilet training, more advanced motor skill activities and sleeping on mats instead of cots. As children of this age group emerge from babyhood, they require both a stimulating and nourishing environment to develop their mental skills. Children’s fine motor skills continue to develop and they enjoy making marks, using a variety of materials, looking at picture books and listening to stories, important steps in literacy.
Self-help and independence soon emerge if adults support and encourage children in areas such as eating, dressing and toileting. Praise for new achievements helps to build their self-esteem. In this phase, children’s language is developing rapidly and many are beginning to put sentences together. Joining in conversations with children is an important way for children to learn new things and to begin to think about past, present and future. Developing physical skills mean that children can now usually walk, climb and run, and join in active play with other children.
This is an important time for learning about dangers and safe limits. The children have the opportunity for garden and physical activities as this room leads directly to our secure Astro-turf garden. The ratio of carer to child is 1:4 to ensure the maximum of care and guidance for a range of children.
The principle and aim of this room 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’
The activities are arranged on low shelving within reach of the children. They may work uninterrupted .for long periods of times either at tables or on small mats on the floor, where they are naturally comfortable. The pace is unhurried and although the curriculum is structured, each child moves through it at his or her own pace. The children are free to choose activities, which capture their interest and new activities are introduced as each child is ready for them.
They will be covering all of the areas of the Montessori curriculum as well as covering the Early Years foundation stage curriculum (EYFS ). As a continuation of early learning experience from the toddler room, children of this age group are able to work with more complex exercises within the Practical Life and Sensorial Activities range.
Activities are mainly hands-on, fun and concrete at this stage and this sets the basis for later/further development in the abstract concepts. Early mathematical concepts, word building skills and early writing skills are taught. Foundation is also laid at this stage for good work ethic and social habits.
Autumn term 2022
Start of term Monday 5th September 2022
Half term holiday Monday 24th October – Friday 28th October 2022 (term time children off)
Last day of term Friday 16th December 2022 (term time children only)
Christmas closures Tuesday 20nd December 2022 nursery closes at 2:30pm
Spring term 2023
Start of term Tuesday 3rd January 2023
Half term holiday Monday 13th February – Friday 17th February 2023 (term time children off)
Inset day Friday 24th February 2023 Nursery closed
Easter half term Monday 3rd – Friday 14th April 2023 Inclusive (term time children only)
Easter closures Thursday 6th April 2023 nursery closes at 6pm (last day of term)
Easter holiday Friday 7th April – Friday 14th April 2023 Inclusive Nursery closed
Summer term 2023
Start of term Monday 17th April 2023
Bank holiday Monday 1st May 2023 Nursery closed
Bank Holiday Monday 8th May 2023 Nursery closed
Bank holiday Friday 29th May 2023 Nursery closed
Half term holiday Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June 2023 (term time children only)
Summer holiday Friday 24th July 2023 (term time children only)
Last day of the academic year Thursday 24th August 2023
Summer holiday Friday 25th August – Monday 4th September Nursery closed
Inset day Monday 4th September Nursery closed
Autumn term 2023
First day of academic year
2023/2024 Tuesday 5th September 2023