Little Learners Montessori

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About Me:

My name is Aideen O’Neill, and I qualified from the St. Nicholas Montessori College of Ireland in 1996. I have since been teaching in Dublin. 
I moved to Mornington in 2007 with my family (husband, Stephen and daughters, April, now 5 and Julia, now 2). I have decided to open 
Little Learners Montessori School to provide a quality educational facility for 2½-5 year old children in the area.

Aims and Objectives:
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the joy of learning. Here at Little Learners Montessori, I will provide the children with an opportunity to progress and learn at their own pace, in an environment where each individual child is respected, using the materials designed by Dr. Maria Montessori to meet each child’s individual needs, encouraging the development of each child’s selfconfidence, self-esteem, concentration and independence, therefore preparing them for the challenges they will meet in life! The progress of each child will be assessed and I welcome discussion of your child’s development with you at a mutually convenient time. Little Learners also offers an “open-door” policy, where parents are welcome to drop in, observe their child/teacher or make an appointment for a private consultation, at any time.

Age Range:
Children aged between 2½ and 5 years are welcome to attend Little Learners Montessori. All children must be toilet trained.

Opening Times:
Little Learners Montessori session runs from 9.30am-12.30pm Monday—Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Little Learners will close for Christmas and Easter and holidays corresponding with the local national school (Donacarney). A calendar of holidays will be issued in September and January of each year.
There will be a summer camp running for the month of July. Information will be available upon request.

Daily Routine: The following is a typical day at Little Learners:

9.00-9.15:     Welcome, News time
9.15-10.45:   Work-time– Montessori activities, eg. Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Maths…..
10.45-11.00: Snack-time. Children are welcome to bring something small in for a snack.
                      Otherwise, a sandwich/crackers, fruit and milk will be provided. Crisps, sweets etc. 
                      are not permitted, except for special occasions eg. Birthday parties.
11.00-11.30: Outdoor play-in secure outdoor play area (weather permitting) or arts and crafts
11.30-12.00: Circle-time: Group lessons eg. Cultural Studies, Irish etc
12.00-12.15: Rhymes, songs, stories and dancing and prepare to go home.

Outdoor Play Area

Curriculum: This is a sample of how the Montessori school year at Little Learners will span out. The curriculum evolves with the children and their interests.

September:	School begins. Settling-in period. Group lessons might include autumn, leaves etc.
October:	Halloween. Fancy-dress party
November:	Season change-discussions about winter, Group lessons preparatory to the Nativity Play, Rehearsals for Nativity Play-with parents permission.
December:	Christmas preparations. Christmas Party. Visit from Santa.
January:	Settling-in after Christmas holidays.
February:	Season Change– discussions about spring. St. Valentines Day.
March:	St. Patrick's Day. Seed planting.
April:	Easter. Easter egg hunt.
May:	Season change– discussions about summer. Nature walks.
June:	Preparation for graduation. Summer party.


Extra Curricular Activities:

Irish:                The children in Little Learners will learn basic Irish in group lessons, including basic grammar. 

Irish Dancing: As a qualified Irish dancing teacher, with a class of more than 50 pupils in Dublin, I will introduce the children to the basic
                         steps for Irish dancing, incorporating it into our cultural and music studies. 

Arts & Crafts: Arts and crafts will generally correspond with activities or events occurring at a particular time of the year. 

Outdoor Play: At Little Learners there is a secure outdoor play area with toys including tricycles, swings, slides, play house etc.
                         The children will have the opportunity to play outside most days, weather permitting. 

Nature Walks: The children will be brought on seasonal nature walks to develop their understanding of the world around them. 

Parties:            There will be parties for special occasions such as Halloween and Christmas. Also, if it your child’s birthday, you are permitted to
                         send in a birthday cake for him/her to celebrate with his/her Montessori friends.