We believe our programmes and approach will prepare students for their primary years as well as provide them with enriched experiences and necessary tools to become lifelong learners. Our dedicated staff has the ability to teach the Montessori method along with the approach of Early years foundation to give your child the education they deserve.
Dr. Maria Montessori said “Education…should begin at birth”. In fact, current research on the baby brain concurs that the first year of a baby’s life provides a critical foundation for all future learning. This has profound implications for what we should be doing for our babies to develop.
Our Infant programme provides a prepared environment where babies develop naturally in their own way and at their own pace. It is a place where parents can feel secure that their child will be loved, nurtured, and encouraged to develop. Our programme offers the young child a wide variety of learning experiences utilizing the Montessori approach to education. Our Infant environment aims to meet cognitive and physical needs for challenge at each stage of their first year of development.
6 MONTHS TO 2 YEARS 4 MONTHS | Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
At Little Saplings we offer accompanied classes from 6 months of age, where you and your child can join our caring educators to learn and grow together in a tailor-made environment.
Discovering Senses
Our babies are discovering the world through their senses. Everything is new and exciting, every taste, smell, sight, sound or touch is an undiscovered sensation. Our programme is designed to enhance these natural tendencies. Every new experience grows the millions of neural pathways and leads baby to new discoveries about their immediate world. Through our Rollers programme you and your baby strengthen your bonds and attachment, and baby shows the beginnings of resilience.
Exploring The World
Building on from Rollers, our new 'walkers' are becoming mobile and ready to explore their ever-growing environment. With every step, every sound, every object grabbed is building muscle memory. Our toddlers are taking greater risks as they learn their boundaries and are encouraged to overcome challenges. Toddlers first words are being used to explain their understanding of their new world. In our Wrigglers programme, we emphasise language and gross physical movement to enhance muscle memory, through play, repetition and fun. Parents can use these ideas with their toddler at home.
Building Confidence
At this stage, our toddlers are preparing for an independent learning environment: learning to take greater risks and make independent choices. As the toddler's independence increases, so does their confidence. This is seen in the choices your toddler makes and their social interactions. Through the foundation of play, classroom routines and rituals are being fostered, preparing them for unaccompanied classes.
2 YEARS TO 3 YEARS | Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
At the age of 2, children can move to the first of our unaccompanied classes. Building upon the previous stages, these classes encourage independence, social awareness, sensory exploration, and the development of physical and language skills through play. Academic skills are developed through a rich play-based curriculum, as our children advance to our Montessori classes.
Fostering Independence
Discoverers is your child's first time being unaccompanied by a familiar adult. The play-based approach, social relationships and learning environment enables your child to build their independence, self-esteem and resilience. A strong emphasis on physical development helps future academic learning: from strengthening finger muscles for pencil grip, practicing eye tracking in preparation for reading and writing, to strengthening core muscles which helps concentration and focus. These skills are presented in a fun, engaging and playful way.
Inquiring Minds
Our Explorers program is a three-year program dedicated to nurturing the child’s inherent curiosity by enabling them to explore and discover. Children learn through touch, movement and observation. Academics are introduced through Dr. Montessori’s didactic materials, which lay the groundwork for abstract thinking. The teacher, always observant, responds with appropriate lessons to support each child’s individual growth, interests and capabilities. The academic materials presented are designed to stimulate a child’s senses as well as to respond to his or her need for order and sense of mastery within the world. We offer a challenging and broad curriculum for our Explorers as we continue the values and principles established in our Discoverers environment. Children experience a clear routine each day, but within that routine they have the freedom to choose their own activities and pace themselves, rather than having to conform to a strict schedule imposed by adults. It is our goal to create a dynamic and stimulating yet warm, stable and comfortable environment in which your child will thrive.
At Little Saplings, clubs run for 60 to 90 minutes after morning Pre-School Classes at 12.30pm. Every day there is a sport or creative programme to choose from.
We also offer more academic based classes every day. These are a great opportunity for our older Pre-schoolers to practise core language and Math skills in a fun environment.
‘Little Saplings’ daycare center is a home away from home for your toddler. We fully understand the requirement for a safer environment for your toddler while you are busy at work.