Services

Specialised Montessori Curriculum

Creative Minds Nurseries follows the Specialised Montessori approach for teaching and learning. It is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development, as well as technological advancements in society. The three essential elements of Montessori approach are:

  • The Montessori teacher
  • The Child
  • The prepared environment

Please see the Montessori section for more information.

Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum

Creative Minds Nurseries follows the early years foundation stage (EYFS) alongside Montessori philosophy and principles. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) defines the legal requirements and standards for promoting the care, learning and development of children from birth to five years in Ofsted registered childcare provision. The EYFS requirements include:

  • The Learning and Development Requirements which shape the activities and experiences that childcare providers offer children.
  • The Assessment Requirements which detail how childcare providers monitor and plan for children’s progress.
  • The Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements which ensure children are kept safe and have their welfare promoted.

The link below provides further detail: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2017/03/EYFS_STATUTORY_FRAMEWORK_2017.pdf

French Curriculum

Young children have the ability to absorb a language easily, as they show learning their mother tongue. Through a similar language learning process they learn French effortlessly and acquire a good accent. Learning a second language early in life, not only makes you become more proficient in that language but it also enriches overall mental development. French is taught to the children through play, using a wide variety of our stimulating language activities. The lessons are planned around a diversity of themes and projects, which are practical, interesting and…..great fun! It is also an exposure to another culture. We hope your children will enjoy learning French with us.

Computer lessons

ICT is now part of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum for all 3-5 year olds. Learning IT skills with CLICK IT will give them an excellent head start for when they leave nursery school to go to Primary School. In addition, the sessions will help to increase their concentration skills and general all round confidence.

“Click It” offers affordable and stimulating computer learning lessons at our nurseries which aims to:

  • Teach IT skills to your pre-school child
  • Introduce children to technology and learning!
  • Provide challenging but fun educational activities every week.
  • Provide individual attention for every child based on groups of 3 children to 1 tutor for every 25 minutes lesson.
  • Build all round confidence.

Please check www.clickit-kids.co.uk for further information.

Yoga Sessions

Our weekly yoga sessions have helped children to be calm and focussed in the classroom. Each session includes traditional yoga sequences:

  • Warm-up exercises
  • Breathing techniques
  • Asana (postures)
  • Partner Asanas
  • Relaxation and calming exercises

Paradise Yoga takes the process one step further by adapting the language, props, songs and length of the session to the age of the children involved.

Younger children are able to respond to child friendly props like puppets and songs written for them. Older children enjoy the non-competitive nature of yoga session that enables them to re-focus on their own needs. They respond to more sophisticated language and instructions.

The result is a magical combination that works wonders in the classroom.

Forest School Sessions

Our Forest school sessions offer children the opportunity to develop skills and grow in confidence through hands-on learning in a natural environment with trees.  The programme runs all through the year so the children can enjoy the changes of the seasons and explore the natural resources this offers.  For example in autumn we may make soap from conkers and build a hibernaculum for frogs to over winter in, in winter we may explore ice sculpture and build cosy shelters, in spring we may make boats to float in puddles and go on bug hunts, and in summer we may laze under the trees in hammocks and make shadow puppets.  A typical session will have a theme, this could be a nature theme, for example Bats, or a fantasy theme, for example Pirates. The programme is built in collaboration with the children and their needs and interests.  

Healthy and balance Nutrition

Creative Minds advocates Healthy Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle. We provide for Healthy snacks and drinks during the day. These include fresh vegetables, fruits, wholemeal products, dairy products with milk and water for drink. Fresh Meals are provided at our nurseries and care is taken to meet the dietary requirements of all children. Our menu at West Ealing Montessori was created by Gabriela Looney (Nutritional Therapist) @ Peachy Living.

CMN & Ealing Local Offer

The name ‘Local Offer‘ is used to describe all the services and provision available to children, young people and families ‘locally’ who are living with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).

Ealing’s Local Offer includes:

  • Early years and childcare 
  • Links to SEND provision within all schools
  • Education, Health & Care (EHC) Assessment & Plan information
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Specific conditions
  • Short breaks
  • Money and benefits
  • Housing adaptations
  • Travel assistance
  • Preparing for Adulthood (inc. housing, employment, support)
  • SEN Support for Education

The Ealing Local Offer website is a resource to help you understand what is available and how to access services and support. CMN is committed to keep you informed of the local offer for opportunities and activities available to children with SEND and their families.

Parent Workshops

We believe that children benefit most from early years education and care when parents and settings work together in partnership.

Our aim is to support parents as their children’s first and most important educators by involving them in their children’s education and in the full life of the setting. We provide opportunities for parents to learn about curriculum offered in the setting and about young children’s learning in the setting and at home. We organise various workshops for parents during the year about popular topics such as “Montessori at Home”, “Discipline in Montessori” and “Getting ready for school” to name a few.

Career Opportunities

At Creative Minds Nurseries Ltd; we value our staff- their commitment, dedication and loyalty.  We recognise their hard work and appreciate their achievements.

We believe in empowering our staff with knowledge, skills and expertise required for the delivery of excellence in childcare.

We are committed to promote equality of opportunity in all areas of employment including recruitment, training and promotion. We aim to create an environment where all members of staff can develop their full potential regardless of gender, marital status, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic group or religion.

At Creative Minds Nurseries, we strive at creating high performance work place that encourages creativity, innovation, competitiveness. We promote a culture of mutual trust, respect and self-worth where people have sense of ownership and identity.

We promote career progression from within by providing opportunities for lead roles in supervision and management. We invest generously in staff training and development. We have high expectations of our staff and motivate them to achieve higher and greater.

F.A.Q.

Frequently asked questions regarding our services.

Montessori and French activities are provided every day. Other activities like Yoga, Click It (computer sessions), Forest school sessions, Cooking and STEM activities are implemented once a week on a designated day.

Most of the activities are included in the fees apart from Computer sessions and Forest School which are optional.

Yes, French lessons are available for children of all ages from babies to preschool.  Planned French sessions are provided every day during morning and afternoon session. 1-to-1 French sessions are also provided for French families by native French speaking teacher.

Montessori believed that the sensitive period for learning language is up till the age of 6 years. Consequently, research has shown that because of the brain’s elasticity and rapid neural formation, babies and young children are able to learn languages at a faster rate. Hence learning multiple languages at an early age is not only easier for young children but they also grow into smarter adults.

CMN uses the Famly app to communicate effectively with parents. You will receive daily post from the nursery with photos of children participating in the above activities and many more.