Toddlers 18 months – 3 years | Casa dei Bambini 3 – 6 years
HOUSE OF CHILDREN
Our lovingly and well-prepared Casa dei Bambini environment caters for toddlers and preschoolers from 18 months to 6 years.
The child from 0 – 3 years old takes in all the impressions of life by just absorbing them – touching and feeling. And they take in everything in order to build up a picture of everyone and everything around them.
They learn to speak [often more than 1 language], to sit up, crawl, walk and run. These young children have a burning desire to become physically independent. They want to learn how to care, feed and dress themselves, how to blow their own noses, and put on their own shoes, thus achieving many other activities and skills.
The Montessori toddler environment provides a space where all of these and numerous other actions can be explored.
In the Montessori preschool environment, the children are supported and assisted by knowledgeable and caring guides [teachers] as they develop to maturity at their own, natural pace. We follow a classic Montessori curriculum, encouraging independence and providing opportunities for children to learn to make their own choices; and to take responsibility in an age-appropriate way, which instils a growth mindset of ‘can do’ in the young child.
The Montessori specifically prepared environment helps facilitate learning for the child. Each stage of development requires a suitable environment prepared with needs and characteristics of that plane of development in mind.
Reference: Association Montessori Internationale: Four planes of Development
CASA DEI BAMBINI
The child from birth to 3 years stage of development works incredibly hard to create themselves. They do more work in the first 3 years than they will ever do again.
MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT
The child from birth to 3 years takes in all the impressions of life by simply absorbing them, they take in everything without filters. They are building up a picture of everyone and everything around them. The child in this stage of development, works incredibly hard to create themselves. There is more brain development in the first 3 years of life than there will ever be again.
During these important years, the young child will learn to speak, sometimes more than 1 language, sit up, crawl, walk and run. They want to learn to care, feed themselves, dress themselves, blow their own noses, and put on their own shoes and many other activities and skills.
The Montessori toddler environment provides a space where all of these and numerous other actions can be explored. Our toddler community thrives in a beautiful, yet simple, and well-prepared environment that encourages and supports the learning for the “unconscious creator” [Montessori 1956]. This environment is guided by a qualified and experienced guide and an assistant, both very mindful to the needs of your growing child. The learning during this phase is essential to create a sound foundation for future learning.
Each plane of development requires a suitable environment for maximum growth of the individual. This prepared environment helps facilitate learning for the child, using specialised materials which are specifically and thoughtfully chosen, displayed and presented to each child according to their needs and stage of development. It is thus designed to help the child develop themselves through rich sensorial experiences.
In the pre-school classes, we maintain a 1:12 ratio, where the children are helped and guided by well trained and experienced guides as they develop. During the 2-hour work cycle, toddlers are free to busy themselves with activities, both indoors and out. Through this freedom of movement, we are able to teach them to self-regulate, and make positive choices as they follow their interests. To further develop independence, the children make their own snack during work time which is supplied by the school. They make a sandwich for themselves with cheese, Bovril, or jam. The children are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit to school each day, which is placed in a communal fruit bowl, where they help prepare the fruit to share during snack time.
All children attend sport in their age groups once a week for 30 minutes. Extra murals include Dance Mouse, Kids Coding, Soccer Stars, Gymnastics and Golf.
Children are encouraged to continue to the primary environment at our school for children 7 – 12 years. We encourage a natural progression between our learning communities and follow the child as to when they are ready both academically and socio-emotionally. It is important to us that we maintain the natural curiosity and love of learning.
It follows that at the beginning of his life the individual can accomplish wonders – without effort and quite unconsciously.” – Dr Maria Montessori
HOW TO APPLY
Visit our admissions page for more information on the application process and fill out the O’Summit application process to start your child’s journey today!
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The new school year for 2023 starts on the 11th of January. Please download the calendar for full term dates.
Having moved countries numerous times and my sons attending 7 different schools over the years, I can say with confidence that O’Summit International is one of the most phenomenal schools I’ve encountered. With an amazing interactive approach to education, their inclusive ethos to all children irrespective of background or learning requirements is not only refreshing but so reassuring for me as a parent. I would unequivocally recommend the school to anyone who’s child may not conform 100% to traditional main stream schooling or someone looking for a smaller, safer, more personal space for kids to learn and grow.
MANDY PIENAAR
Vice President, Universal Studios
As a mum, you always worry when your child changes schools. But my son has settled so well into his new environment at O' Summit. With teachers who acknowledge him as an individual and are there to offer support, I know he is in good hands".
Julia Mhone
Parent
Our son LOVES O’Summit. He has been at O’Summit since pre-school/Casa, he is now at O’Summit College (high school). How time flies!! He loves the environment and the Cambridge International curriculum. The size of the school allows for a lower student to teacher ratio, giving him great confidence when asking questions, engaging in group activities, and opportunities for one-on-one time with the teacher. O’Summit has nurtured his “love of learning” in an environment of responsibility and leadership with kindness.
Lindani & Marco Nyon
Parents
“O'Summit College has not only provided my daughter with a home, it has improved her confidence, ambition, independence and growth. When we moved to O'Summit in 2018, I needed a safe space for my child to learn and grow. O'Summit College has provided me with more than that. I have seen a great balance in my daughter's individualism, and her confidence. That balance is not only displayed in her school work but at home as well as her other activities. I highly recommend the College as it has made a huge contribution to my daughter's life and future career.”