Early Years
"The overall effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage is outstanding. The calm welcoming family atmosphere enables all children to settle and make significant progress in their learning and development. The individual needs of the children are met very well." ISI Report 2011
The Montessori Approach in The Elms Early Years
Department
Montessori Explained:
The Montessori Method is an
approach to learning which is based on close observation of child
development under the guidance of trained Montessori staff in a
specially prepared environment.
This approach leads to an
enormously powerful, confidence-building approach to learning and
here at The Elms we have staff who are not only trained teachers
but also trained Montessorians.
Everything within our
Montessori environment at The Elms aims to reflect a commitment to
quality and a desire to enable children to do things for
themselves, in order to experience the joy of
achievement.
SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MONTESSORI AT THE ELMS?
- The Montessori approach focuses on the individual child, allowing them to develop at their own pace, a theme mirrored in the 'ladder system' which runs throughout the main school;
- Small class sizes with a high teacher to pupil ratio;
- A broad curriculum which seeks to appeal to all interests and abilities and is underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Strategies in Year 1;
- A system which seeks to achieve high levels of cognitive attainment at age 5. This is often higher than the national average, in line with the aims of the Elms school;
- An environment which encourages high levels of positive social and behavioural development in all areas.