Approach

Fostering “A Positive and Fun Learning Environment”
The school offers a holistic and child centred approach, ensuring individual care and personal attention is given to every child. Through observation, Montessori teachers follow the progress of the child’s individual development, skills and interests. Activities are planned around these interests and ideas. Through freedom within the school environment, the children can explore, create, problem solve and make suggestions. The teachers are there to support and extend the learning and development of each child in a fun and positive way.

“The first duty of the educator, whether he is involved with the newborn infant or the older child is to recognize the human personality of the young being and respect it.” Dr. Maria Montessori

To further prepare the children we are guided by the Aistear Curriculum Framework which carries through into all Junior Infant classes. (NCCA 2009 advice to the Minister of Education on the national curriculum) This framework has at its core four main pillars of development: Well-Being, Exploring and Thinking, Communication and Identity and Belonging.

The Learning Environment is set up into different areas, within these areas are abundant opportunities to explore, to learn and to develop and to explore these four pillars.

• A large safe outdoor play area with age appropriate outdoor toys, sand and water. Here the children can run, play, and socialise.
• Gardening and Nature Study with seasonal items
• Practical Life Area using real life items to develop fine/gross motor skills
• Sensorial Area where children learn through their senses to extend learning and development
• Language Area promotes language, communication and builds a foundation to literacy. An introduction to Irish is provided using songs, rhyme, and general conversation. Other languages of interest at the time are also explored.
• Mathematics Area where children develop and manipulate numbers, shapes and mathematical concepts.
• Culture Area discovering science, people, places and things that are of interest.



• Quiet Corner/Rest Area for relaxation
• Library Area for discovering books of all kinds.
• Speech and Drama space to encourage imagination, confidence and above all participation among the children.
• Music we encourage all aspects of music, instruments and songs.
• Physical Education for motor skill development, aiming and throwing, hand eye co-ordination and spatial awareness (Buntus early start programme in conjunction with the Sports Council)
• Outings Regular outings are organised throughout the year.
• Christmas Concert is a highlight in December before the Holiday Break.
• Graduation Start the summer break with songs, food preparation and celebration.

For those children who wish to attend for two years, a two-year curriculum cycle has been put in place. Feedback from parents is always welcome, and all teachers are fully qualified. Whatever the strategies/curriculums currently in place, at the heart must be the children. As they weave their way through the trails of discovery we must follow and at times clear the way removing obstacles that may hinder their journey. When they leave our setting, the hope is that they will carry with them a love of learning as a bright light into their future.