The Roche Nursery Schools offer a Montessori-based education to children between 2 and 5 years of age. The schools have well-equipped and spacious classrooms with easy access to large outdoor playgrounds offering the children a safe and pleasant area in which to play. Play-based activity is a key part of children’s learning and the outdoor spaces offer many such opportunities. 

In addition to the Montessori syllabus, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, which sets out the standards for Learning, Development and Care and supports our work in the Nursery. The EYFS is made up of seven areas of learning and development:

Three prime areas:

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

Four specific areas:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

The curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage should underpin all future learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing the seven areas of learning. None of these areas can be delivered in isolation from each other. They are equally important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities. In each area there are Early Learning Goals (ELGs) that define the expectations for most children to reach by the end of the EYFS.

The classrooms are carefully organised in accordance with the aim of learning through work and play. A wide range of activities has been selected to stimulate and nurture in each child the interest and desire to discover and learn. The learning materials are designed to improve the child’s sensory ability, awareness of detail, co-ordination, concentration, confidence, exploratory impulse and above all independence. Each child is treated as an individual and is encouraged to progress at his/her own pace. Our aim is to provide a happy and purposeful environment in which the child can achieve his/her own potential.

Our curriculum covers a broad range of subjects. Children have a strong desire to explore their environment by using all their senses. We encourage them to learn from their experiences both independently and by profiting from guidance and we seek to balance these two. Please see our Nursery Curriculum page for further details.

Outings: The children are regularly taken on informative and enjoyable outings to places such as London Zoo, Syon Park, Legoland and Bockett’s farm and parental involvement on these trips is always appreciated.

Lunches: Children bring their own packed lunches; the School provides drinks and milk, biscuits and fruit for morning break although children are welcome to bring their own juice and snack if they wish or if they have particular dietary needs.

General: People whose work and experience will appeal to the children are invited to come and talk to them – the local librarian for example. Parents who are willing to help or to describe and discuss their own work experiences with the children are always much appreciated.

The School values a good and open rapport between parents and teachers and parents can discuss their child’s progress at the twice-yearly meetings with teachers or at other times by arrangement. Each term parents receive a written report on their child’s progress and attainment. They can see the list of the children’s weekly activities on our noticeboards and on our website.

The Roche Nursery Schools are staffed by qualified teachers and in addition some of our assistants are student-teachers seconded to us by the Montessori College to gain experience with us.

Parents are warmly invited to visit our Nursery Schools by appointment, preferably at times when they can see the classes in progress.