Montessori nursery groups usually have about 15 children. The number of teachers depends on the independence of the children in the group, with the maximum number of children per adult being 5. Nursery groups, by design, are slightly larger and diverse in size, reflecting the key tenets of Montessori pedagogy of creating small, child-centered communities in which everyone is once youngest and oldest. This diverse approach allows us to best address the individual and group needs of children and the varied expectations of parents.
Both the nursery and the preschool are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In the nursery it is possible to enroll your child in a half-day package from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please contact us for details. In both facilities, the Montessori program is implemented until 4:00 p.m. After this hour, we provide children with daycare and additional activities.
We provide children with breakfast, soup, second course and afternoon snack, which we offer in the afternoon when the child is hungry. In addition, the child has access to healthy snacks and water throughout his or her stay at the nursery or preschool. We have a designated time for communal meals. We all gather together then at small tables. We encourage children to eat and drink on their own. We implement customized diets. Meals are provided by an outside company, "Krzepka Rzepka" - known for its quality and true passion for preparing healthy meals loved by children and based on seasonal products from reliable local suppliers.
Children ready to sit on a tiny toilet are encouraged to use it. We try to skip the potty stage. The facility has special platforms next to the toilet seats so that children feel really comfortable on the toilet. Before we begin the toilet training process, it is important to observe the child - whether and how he/she communicates his/her needs, and to support him/her in learning to dress/undress independently. Using the toilet is a natural process that can be wisely supported. In our nursery, we create an individual toilet training plan together with the child's parents.
Every child is different so we take an individual approach to each family's adaptation needs. Going to the nursery or preschool is an important event that shapes the child's confidence and openness to new situations and people. We encourage parents to be available during adaptation. For some children, adaptation requires a week, for some the time will be shortened or extended. Any change takes time and attentiveness. For parents, we have prepared a handbook giving a lot of support and inspiration for the adaptation time. Read more about us in the article Adaptation in the nursery. What does it look like at Harmony Montessori Park nursery?
In both the nursery and the preschool, the groups are of different ages. In Montessori groups, we have children between the ages of 4 and 36 months. Depending on the number of children of a given age, the children are together or we divide into groups up to (infants) and from 18 months (toddlers). The preschool group is made up of children aged 2.5 to 6 years. Such an environment is a natural representation of life in a community, which, after all, includes people of different ages. This allows children to experience situations of diversity in social interaction and being in different roles, e.g., as the youngest and, after some time, as the oldest member of the group. This develops empathy in children and teaches them to be attentive to others. Older children are happy to be role models for younger children and help with simple activities.
Children go outside once or twice a day, depending on the readiness of the group. Once before noon and again (if the weather is good) in the afternoon. We very much ask parents to supply the children with appropriate clothing (whatever the weather is in the morning, it may rain at noon). Outside, the children have the opportunity to do Montessorian work in the garden. Let's remember that there is no bad weather, there are only inappropriate clothes. So let's be ready!
In a Montessori facility there are all the necessary materials and aids to ensure the child's proper intellectual and cognitive development. Bringing toys to the nursery or preschool keeps the child's hands busy as well as his or her attention with a particular toy. Everything in a Montessorian setting is at the child's fingertips. It is important, therefore, that the child has his hands free to reach for whatever catches his/her attention.
As a Montessori facility, we offer a limited number of additional activities besides realizing our rich Montessori program. Throughout the whole stay at the nursery and preschool, children have time to work on their own with Montessori materials, which is at the heart of this pedagogy. During this time, children also have time for a variety of activities such as musical activities, painting, reading books, planting and watering plants, washing windows, creating artwork and much more. In addition, in the preschool, as part of the tuition fee, children have organized classes in corrective gymnastics, and general development classes with a ball and rhythmics. Children also work with sensory and math material. One of the teachers in the group communicates with the children in English. Selected additional activities, complementing such a rich program, are offered in the afternoons. For current offerings, please see the ADDITIONAL OFFER tab.
The main difference is the authentic Montessori program, which is only implemented in Montessori groups under the guidance of a Montessori teacher qualified in this pedagogy. In addition, one of the teachers in such a group communicates with the children only in English. All interiors in the facility and aids are consistent and based on Maria Montessori pedagogy. In contrast, in a conventional group in an urban standard, the focus is on care and together play, which the children are organized by nursery caregivers with the appropriate authorizations.
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