Hartley House Montessori - Nursery Schools

The Prepared Environment

Montessori Curriculum

The Montessori Curriculum is made up of five core curriculum areas:-
Practical Life / Sensorial / Mathematics / Literacy / Cultural Subjects.

We supplement these areas with Creative & Physical subjects such as music & movement, drama, art & craft, dancing and mini gym, as well as French and cookery.

Our most recent OFSTED inspection reports can be viewed using the following links to the OFSTED website:

Hartley House Winchester OFSTED report
Hartley House Hursley OFSTED report

Practical Life Experiences - Personal, Social & Emotional Development

These materials and exercises provide the child with a link between home and school as we use real household equipment. The exercises enhance the child's co-ordination, fine-motor skills, concentration, order, logical thinking and independence. Children undertake daily living exercises like polishing, washing, pouring, dressing skills, cooking, sewing as well as learning about social skills and good manners. The young child finds these exercises and lessons very absorbing as they are easy to relate to and within the child's experience.

Pouring

These exercises all are direct and indirect preparation for mathematics, language as well as later intellectual development.

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Sensorial Materials

Sensori-motor activities help refine the child's senses, the apparatus teach concepts, and develop in complexity from the concrete to the abstract. Activities in this subject involve grading, matching, shapes, weight, smell, taste, sight, sound and colour to name a few.

We use specialist apparatus to teach the concepts in isolation of one another. All of these exercises are direct and indirect preparation for mathematics, language as well as later intellectual development.

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Mathematical Development

Cards and Counters

We use a concrete teaching approach where hands-on apparatus are used, helping to teach concepts from simple to complex. These exercises thus develop abstract thought and the formation of basic mathematical concepts. Children find mathematics in this way enjoyable and manage to lay down essential foundations for the future.

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Communication, Language & Literacy

We use a graded and systematic language scheme, beginning with sounds (phonics) moving onto word building and reading. We provide a rich language environment on a daily basis, thus developing vocabulary with stories, poems, rhymes, songs, word games and discussion. Sandpaper letters provide a tactile muscular memory of the letters assisting in the association of sounds and letter patterns. The child then manipulates moveable letters and creates words with the help of the teacher. Once fully prepared, the child progresses onto writing and reading.

Sandpaper letters

We also introduce simple French at an early stage as children of nursery age are particularly sensitive to sounds and language. This is an enjoyable learning experience.

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Cultural Subjects - Knowledge & Understanding of the World

In this curriculum area we provide children with experiences in History / Geography / Biology / Zoology and Cultural Studies.

Activities include studying different countries, animals, geographical land forms, science experiments and personal time-lines. A world awareness and feeling of respect for the environment is encouraged. Children have an innate love of nature and find these subjects thoroughly fascinating.

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Creative & Physical Development

Art & Craft - Art and craft are an integral part of each day. The children undertake individual as well as group art and craft activities.

Drawing
Drawing

Music - Music is a very important part of every day. We incorporate music into our curriculum through individual and group activities. We have a music specialist who visits the school on a weekly basis.

Dancing & Drama - The children have dancing and drama lessons to help promote gross-motor skills and coordination

Outdoor Play / Physical Exercise - Outdoor play is seen as an important part of the school day. Children have the freedom of the outside area and are able to interact and enjoy fresh air at playtime.

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