Blue Penguin Montessori, Alum Chine

Located close to Alum Chine beach, Blue Penguin is a small independent Montessori school.  We offer a homely environment to allow children to become independent and achieve their full potential.

Our accommodation includes a bright and spacious classroom and safe kitchen area for the children to cook.  We have an attractive garden where the children enjoy daily outdoor activities, including imaginative play in a well-equipped wooden house, sandpit, water play and gardening.

In addition, the children have the benefit of supervised walks down to Alum Chine.

Baby room

This has been open since January 2009, we take children from 3 months.  Our aim is to provide a caring, stimulating and homely environment for each child. There is provision for sleeping and a dedicated playing area. The children are nurtured in a caring environment before being introduced to the Montessori philosophy at an appropriate time ready for the transition to the main school.

Communication and Language Development:

This development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment, to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical Development:

This involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their coordination, control and movement.  Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical development and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

This involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others and to form positive relationships and develop respect for others.  Children’s social skills will be developed and they will learn how to manage their feelings, to understand appropriate behaviour in groups and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Curriculum:

The ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ (EYFS) promotes teaching and learning to ensure the development of children, giving them a wide range of skills and knowledge.  The EYFS enables a good foundation for children’s future learning through school and life.

The EYFS seeks to provide:

• Quality and consistency for all children
• A secure future
• Equal opportunities
• A good working partnership between practitioners and the parents/carers

There are 7 areas of learning and development within the EYFS:

1. Communication and Language
2. Physical Development
3. Personal, social and emotional
4. Literacy
5. Mathematics
6. Understanding the world
7. Expressive arts and design

The 3 prime areas of learning are:

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional