Pre-School Department
You are welcome to our pre-school department. The pre-school comprises creche, nursery and kindergarten. Creche has children age from three (3) months to two (2) years. The nursery is opened for children aged from two years to four years. Children whose ages fall within three and five years are located to kindergarten. Placement of children into classes sometimes depends on the child’s ability. Each classroom is well furnished to create a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning where the child undergoes moral, physical and psychological development.There is one trained teacher and an assistant.
Young children are compelled to observe and explore their environment. Based on deep understanding of child development, Ashridge provides a prepared indoor and outdoor environment that creates opportunities for observation and exploration, and encourages children’s natural sense of adventure.
To inspire the curiosity of the toddler, the classroom is prepared as a little society where each child is encouraged to be a functioning member of the society and to explore it fully. The classrooms feature custom-sized tables, chairs, sinks, and bookshelves; and the outdoor play area has many objects for creative play. All of these are designed to appeal to the child’s natural curiosity. Activities are positioned around the room for toddlers to choose independently. They have freedom of movement to explore, and they are given the time they need to complete what they start. Classroom materials are of value to toddler development. They allow toddlers to begin to experience concepts of sequence, form, shape, movement and sound. Classroom activities change and evolve as the child grows physically, emotionally and intellectually.
Toddlers love doing things for themselves. Living skills such as getting dressed, setting the table, or sweeping the floor are part of the classroom culture. Being able to handle breakable objects for the first time also creates a great sense of pride at this age. Toddler teachers continually seek out new experiences that will stimulate the curiosity of the children. Teachers are expert in the language for interacting with toddlers, and provide the respect, tenderness, warmth and patience that allow the children to blossom.
Children ages three to five experience an academically enriched atmosphere within a strong social community. Older students gain self-esteem by helping younger students, while the younger children learn from their older peers. A strong drive to learn new things is developed through seeing the accomplishments of other children. The unique ability of children this age to absorb their environment, language and culture is aided by the combination of the social structure and the academics of the Montessori classroom.