About the Kindergarten

Introduction

Edgbaston Kindergarten is a small privately owned Montessori Day Nursery for children aged between 6 weeks and 5 years. We also run holiday play schemes for children aged 3 to 7 years.

We are situated in a quiet residential area just off Hagley Road, the A456. We are close to Birmingham City Centre, Five Ways and the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre. See our contact details for further information.

Aims and Objectives

We believe that children are capable of learning more in the first five years of their life than at any other time. Unless children are offered the opportunity to learn during this period, they will never reach their full potential. At Edgbaston Kindergarten, we don't just teach pre-school skills. Our children learn about maths, reading, writing and science, in addition to normal pre-school subjects. They all have access to a multimedia computer system with a range of educational software to aid computer literacy and learning. All within a happy, caring environment. Tried and tested Montessori methods are used in the Kindergarten, so we are not subject to the vagaries of the latest trends. All of our staff are enthusiastic and committed to quality childcare.

Reading

At Edgbaston Kindergarten we believe that a bright 4-year-old is capable of reading if he has been taught the basic rules. We gradually introduce children to the many rules of English, emphasising the phonic method. Children will learn to recognise letters and the sounds they make. Gradually the children will learn to blend the letter sounds together to form words, and then sentences. Only when they are fully confident will they be introduced to books.

Maths

Edgbaston Kindergarten gives a good grounding in traditional maths. The children spend a long time grasping the concepts of number before moving on to addition and subtraction.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

We believe that a good general understanding of the way in which the world works is vital to a well-rounded education. We cover a wide range of subjects from nature study, weather and the seasons, to the solar system. We also study geography, history, and different cultures around the world.

Creative Development

We set great store by developing the children's imagination and creativity. The children take part in art, modelling, dance, drama or music activities on a daily basis. All of our children have access to a wide variety of imaginative and creative play equipment, but in addition, our staff are expert at helping them to see the enormous play potential of everyday items - a cardboard box will never seem the same again!

Outdoor Play

Play is an important part of a child's development and we have a bright room in which imaginative and adventurous play can take place in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. There is a large fully enclosed garden for outdoor play and exploration.

We make full use of our huge outdoor play area throughout the year - not just during break times, but for planned activities too. The garden has several different areas for different activities. There are three paved ares for use in wet weather. One is solely for the lower kindergarten, so they can play outside without getting run over by tricycles, one is for sand and water play, and the third is for wheeled vehicles. There is a large area of lawn for ball games, obstacle courses, or daisy chain making, and a barked area containing a climbing frame, slide, and junior trampoline. At the top of the garden there is an adventure play area for the over threes, which has a large fully enclosed tree house, which can act as a pirate ship, post office, hospital, house, or a space ship. In this area there is also a large metal climbing frame with a long slide and a tented platform.

We encourage the children to be adventurous, whilst maintaining a high level of supervision to ensure that the children use the equipment safely. At Edgbaston Kindergarten we believe that it is important to offer the right balance between physical and intellectual activity. Children need to be able to let off steam and run off their energy if they are to be able to relax, concentrate and learn well. Very few inner city nurseries are able to offer an outdoor play large enough to allow a group of children to run around freely, but we are extremely lucky in this regard.

Expectations

We have high expectations of our pupils, and as a result, the children have the opportunity to achieve their own individual potential. However, Edgbaston Kindergarten is not a hot house. The children achieve because they are interested in the activities offered to them, and they receive the attention they need to learn effectively.

All children learn through play, but what they learn depends on what, and how, they play. By presenting educational activities in a fun way, and offering the children a choice of activities, they take control of their learning and develop independence and self-motivation. We recognize that children develop at different rates, and that some are ready for more structured learning earlier or later than others. No child will ever be pushed beyond his or her abilities, but we will always encourage the children to do their best.

Opening hours

The Kindergarten is open throughout the year from 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). A minimum attendance of two days per week is usually required.

Safety

We place great importance on the safety and security of our pupils. We are registered with both the Fire and Environmental Health Departments. Each child has a security number to ensure that only authorized collectors may remove the child from the premises.