TOADHALL MONTESSORI NURSERIES, MEITHRIN AND OUT OF SCHOOL ACADEMY

Each pastoral group has two keyworkers.

The children enjoy a daily ‘circle time’, both indoors and outdoors, in their keyworker groups, which involves focused activities and lots of hands-on interactive play, which caters for all individual needs. Activities are always planned to allow for differentiation and ensures every child is engaged in learning new concepts and ideas.

At all other times in the day, the children develop their ‘work cycle’ in ‘family groupings’, making their own choices, exploring and learning at their own pace, through free flow movement, within the context of the Montessori approach.

The children come together for social interaction at times during the day, such as ‘Assembly Time’. Assembly Time is very often focused on a particular ‘topic or theme’, which the children have shown a particular interest in – that is to say ‘child led’.

We have on our staff team, a ‘Musician and Drama Teacher in Residence’, who provides amazing interactive music and drama sessions for all the children in creche each week. They work with the children on a different day over 5 weeks, to ensure all the children can experience fun filled music and drama activities.

We also have ‘An Artist in Residence’. This member of staff has an Arts Degree and works with the children to develop their understanding of ‘art techniques’ across all genres, thus inspiring their creativity.

Mealtimes are also very much a relaxed, social occasion, when the children can set the table, serve themselves and help clear away and wash up. Staff sit with the children and model healthy eating and good table manners. The children are encouraged to cook and experience a variety of different foods and to understand the importance of ‘healthy eating’, rest and exercise, to enhance their wellbeing.

The children have many opportunities to prepare and cook lots of different healthy foods, which helps them learn about the different food groups and the importance of healthy eating. The fruit kebabs and vegetable soup are always firm favourites!!

As part of our ‘outdoor learning’ programme, staff take small groups of children on outings to the local park, library, shops, etc. At Toadhall Montessori Nursery, we also undertake trips further afield, such as Cardiff Museum, Cardiff Bay, Saint Fagan’s and Barry Island, to name but a few. We are fortunate to be based near to Llandaff train station and good bus routes, which allows us to take the children out and about, further afield. We also have our own transport. Appropriate staff ratios are always maintained. Risk assessments are undertaken, and consent forms must be completed by parents/guardians. If you do not wish your child to take part, then your wishes are respected.

Activities in the ‘outdoor areas’ are extremely important to Toadhall Montessori Nursery. The children can explore in a hand on, active way, to play and learn in our well-equipped sensorial ‘outdoor learning gardens’. Toadhall Montessori has also established a ‘Forest School’ outdoor learning environment at Hailey Park, which is easily accessible on foot.

The older children at nursery can visit and use the activities at the out of School Academy, which includes the traverse climbing wall, archery, zip line activities, den building and sitting under the gazebo to cook on an open fire!

We have also established a strong partnership with Hawthorn Primary School ,in Llandaff North and use their Forest School area in their grounds, on a regular basis. This is an amazing additional resource for our children.

We have also established a Coastal School, which gives the opportunity for children to experience a specific programme of activities to develop an understanding of the beach and coastlines near Cardiff. The children visit Barry Island and Porthcawl at least six times during their time at nursery.

Our ‘outdoor learning’ areas are used every day – even on rainy days, as wet weather clothing is available. Our mantra at Toadhall is, “it’s not bad weather – just bad clothing!”

Individual curriculum and activity planning is carried out and is centred on each child’s learning and development. We use the Talking and Thinking Tubs, Floor Mat and Floor Book approach to activity planning, focusing upon the interests and curiosities of the children.

All keyworkers undertake continuous observation and assessment to ensure activities are planned to meet the individual developmental needs of each child.

We have incorporated the Foundation Learning Assessment tool, to enhance observation and assessment within the nursery setting. Every child has their own ‘learning journey’, which is a continual record of their achievements and developmental milestones.

At Toadhall Montessori Nursery, we place great value upon creating a close ‘Partnership and Participation with Parents’. Throughout the year we hold at least two parents’ evenings and several informal ‘open days/evenings’, including ‘Mother’s Day Tea’. ‘Father’s Day Breakfast’, ‘Christmas Crafts’, to name just a few.