Why Montessori?
For over 45 years, Dawmouse has been using the method created by Maria Montessori to educate children in Fulham. Using the Montessori approach, our London Nursery sees each child as an individual and caters learning towards their unique needs, interests and abilities.
When entering our Fulham nursery, Dawmouse children join one of the groups headed by one of the key teachers. They have the freedom to explore the classroom and choose from the Montessori materials to work with. Children have the freedom to play with any of the activities, and when they are ready to learn, our teachers will teach each child how to work with materials.
Our large playground offers an opportunity for children to refine their gross motor skills as well as provide a chance for role-play, encourage creativity, and most importantly, let them enjoy fresh air. In less favourable weather, we have a gymnasium to ensure the children are still able to move around, explore, and play.
Daily Life at Dawmouse
9AM
Children come into the classroom independently, hang their coats, and get themselves ready for the day. From 9-11, the children have free play in the classroom, giving them time to work with the Montessori materials as well as participate in messy play, role play and art activities.
11AM
The children are invited to participate in an active learning session, this takes place in our large private playground. Activities set up by the teachers focus on refining gross motor skills. These activities can include balancing, negotiating objects, throwing and catching objects.
11AM
The children are invited to participate in an active learning session, which takes place in our large private playground. The teachers set up activities that focus on refining gross motor skills. These activities can include balancing, negotiating objects, and throwing and catching objects.
12PM
All children sit with their class group to have lunch, promoting grace and courtesy, table manners and opportunity for discussion amongst their teacher and peers. Children are encouraged to bring in a healthy lunch and use the correct crockery at the table, waiting for their peers to be ready so they can eat together.
1PM
Children going home at 1pm will sit at their table waiting for parents/carers to come in to collect them, giving the adult a quick time to talk with the teacher. Children staying for the afternoon session are taken to a separate area with a teacher to start the afternoon session.
1PM
Children going home at 1pm will sit at their table waiting for parents/carers to collect them, giving the adult a quick time to talk with the teacher. Children staying at our London nursery for the afternoon session are taken to a separate area with a teacher to start the afternoon session.
Afternoon
The afternoon sessions run from 1:00 to 3:30. As the sessions normally have a smaller number of students, children can benefit from additional one-to-one learning that can be adapted to their individual needs and interests. Each day, we focus on a different area of learning, with time to work with the Montessori activities from the shelf and together as a group. We have time to look deeper into the various topics and provide opportunities for role play, outdoor time and art activities. Dawmouse has a flexible pick-up time to suit the needs of the families.
Preparation for school
Though we aim to follow the Montessori method of ‘follow the child’, we do help children get ready for their future schools. In their last year, the teachers help the children work with the literacy and numeracy materials, bringing in the interests of each child in their learning. Using the phonetic sounds, children are encouraged to trace letters and numbers in the correct way while learning to read and recognise the letters and numbers. We then move onto spelling out CVC words and introduction into reading as well as some addition, subtraction and simple multiplication.
Preparation for school
While we aim to follow the Montessori method of ‘follow the child,’ we do help children get ready for their future schools. In their last year, teachers help children with literacy and numeracy materials, incorporating the interests of each child in their learning. Using the phonetic sounds, children are encouraged to trace letters and numbers in the correct way while learning to read and recognise letters and numbers. We then move on to spelling out CVC words, introducing reading, and some addition, subtraction and simple multiplication.
“Dawmouse is such a welcoming and caring nursery that really puts the child and the center of what the child does. The children are in safe hands and have access to a wonderful indoor gym and outside football pitch. The teachers are knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of each child and of each family. My children all thrived at Dawmouse, giving them the confidence and the skills needed for life and primary school.”
– Giulia, mother of a current Dawmouse student