When a child is young people don't necessarily think about how important early learning is, but we now know that the years from age about 3 to 6 years old are crucial for the child's proper development and learning. This happens long before a child grows up and goes to university.

At Whetstone Montessori Nursery, we understand that the early years are the period of most rapid and radical change in the growing individual. With a rapidly developing young brain, this is the time when language, intelligence, and problem-solving skills develop. These shape who the child will become in the future as a human being and a learner.

Early childhood education isn’t simply a preparation for primary school, it lays the foundations for a lifelong love of learning. The skills that allow children to thrive academically and socially are developed through meaningful work in the early years.

In our Montessori environment children learn through hands-on experiences that engage both the mind and the body. They learn by working with carefully designed materials that can be easily manipulated. Each activity strengthens the child's concentration, coordination, and confidence, that are all skills needed in life.

One of the greatest gifts a Montessori education gives the child is independence. In the Children’s House, children are entrusted with responsibility and given freedom within clear boundaries. As a result they learn to make independent choices and judgements for themselves, to care for their environment, and to take pride in their accomplishments. These experiences encourage a deep sense of confidence in their own abilities that do not depend on others.

When our children are ready to transition to primary school, not only do they have a solid academic grounding, but also an enthusiasm for taking on and exploring new challenges.