Living Spring Montessori

Hours & Fees

Year Round Options - 46 weeks

Year Round Options are for a complete year except for short breaks in the autumn term, spring term, and summer term. The nursery is shut during these times.

Monday to Friday

Option 1: 8am-6pm

£1,550 per month
£404.35 per week

Monday to Friday

Option 2: 9am-4pm

£1,262 per month
£329.22 per week

Monday to Friday

Option 3: 8am-1pm

£1020 per month
£266.09 per week

Monday to Friday

Option 4: 2pm-6pm

£832 per month
£217.04 per week

Monday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Friday

Option 5: 8am-6pm

£1,248 per month
£325.57 per week

Monday & Tuesday or Thursday & Friday

Option 6: 8am-6pm

£832 per month
£217.04 per week

Term Time Options - 39 weeks

The Term Time Options are an academic school year with a short break in autumn, spring, and a long break in the summer. There is a half term break in each term.

Monday to Friday

Option 7: 8am-6pm

£1,358 per month
£417.89 per week

Monday to Friday

Option 8: 9am-4pm

£1,213 per month
£373.23 per week

Fees

Fees are due in advance. Fees for the full term is due before the first day of the term. If paying in installments, fees are due by standing order on the first day of the month, and these will be taken in ten monthly instalments.

We accept most childcare vouchers for part payment of fees. Nursery Education Grant for 3 and 4-year-old children who qualify is deducted from fees.

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Meals

Healthy and nutritious meals are freshly prepared on site by our in-house chef. We encourage children to try food from different parts of the world in recognition of the diverse backgrounds of families within the nursery. Parents are encouraged to contribute recipe ideas for our menu.

With obesity in the UK reaching epidemic levels, we strive to keep our meals low in saturated fat and sugar. Research evidence shows that a diet low in fat, sugar, and animal protein is more beneficial to good health.

The children prepare fresh fruits and vegetables daily, and these is available throughout the day, with filtered drinking water.

Breakfast

Ideally children have their breakfast at home, but for families for whom this is not an option, we serve a healthy breakfast of cereals or porridge with fruit.

Lunch

Lunch is freshly prepared on the premises by our Chef, Mr Yanapo. The meals we serve are a balanced mix of tasty dishes which vary every week. The fruit and vegetables are all supplied by John, our local greengrocer. Our meat and fish are also sourced locally. Children’s dietary requirements are taken into account to ensure those with allergies, special religious requirements, or special restricted diets such as vegan, vegetarian and Halal are given alternative options.

Snacks through the day

We ensure that children have small, regular healthy snacks and the recommended five a day fruit and vegetables. The children help to prepare the snacks which are available throughout the day with fresh drinking water and milk. Examples of snacks include fruit and vegetables with guacamole, rice cakes, hummus and pitta bread.

Afternoon tea

Children enjoy food made by our chef including what they have prepared during the afternoon. This can vary hugely but is always a healthy mix of fruit, salads and sandwiches of their choosing. This is a light meal leaving lots of room for supper when children get home.

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Daily Routines

We keep our routines flexible, and nothing is rigidly timetabled, allowing the adults to take their cues from the children by following their interest regarding what to do, when and where.

Morning

A daily greeting between teachers and children is a special moment and a key transition of the day which sets the tone for the day ahead.

This is followed by breakfast for those who haven’t eaten at home. They are assisted as necessary to make a choice and serve themselves. Tidying up breakfast is part of the work cycle, and children have the choice to work alone; to work collaboratively with a friend, or to join a small adult led group.

The children are taken on regular outings to the parks, and feeding ducks is one activity several of the infants enjoy.

Throughout the nursery, children work inside, and sometimes outside, depending on individual interest and needs. Working outside helps some children to become more positively engaged by releasing restless energy offered by physical activities the outdoors affords them.

Lunchtime and nap

Preparation for lunch usually starts at 11:30 in the Nido, and about 12:00pm in the Infant Community and Children’s House. Eating lunch is the perfect opportunity to reinforce the importance of good manners and it is a special time of the day. In all the classes, the teachers and children recite a short poem of gratitude for the meal they share. The children participate in setting up the lunch and clearing up afterwards every day.

After lunch, the children spend time playing in the garden and those who require a nap will be taken to the nap room for a rest. Children are not forced to sleep, and if they do not wish to sleep, they are given the freedom to play outside.

The children usually play outside for about an hour jumping, playing in the sand, watering the garden, blowing bubbles, pulling one another in a wagon, drawing with chalk, painting, engaging in role play and having fun exploring a range of activities and materials.

Afternoon

Children in the Nido have their own self-contained sleeping area in their room, and the children who are awake are taken to the playroom or outside in their safe and cozy garden for more exploration.

For the Infant Community and Children’s House, the afternoon work cycle usually starts around 2:15pm to 3:50pm.

The children spend most of the afternoons practicing and developing self-care skills such as brushing hair, teeth and washing their faces. They also contribute towards food preparation such as baking bread and pizzas as well as soup, salads and other healthy meals which contribute towards their tea.

This is also a time when older children practice their reading and writing skills.

Tea and home time

Afternoon tea in the Nido usually starts at 3:30pm, and and in the Infant Community and Children’s House tea is at 4:00pm. A number of children finish their session at nursery at 4:00pm.

After 4:30pm the children staying the full day help with tidying up tea, and they then continue their exploration and play outside in the garden. The children are taken on outings to local parks and playgrounds.

The daily farewell is a nice way to bring closure to the day. Parents receive daily feedback before the children are greeted and signed out. The signing out sheet is an easy attendance reference for the teachers to keep track of a changing headcount as the children leave.

The nursery shuts at 6:00pm.

Upcoming events

Tuesday 1st May

First day of term

Welcome old and new families to Living Spring!

Monday 7th May

Bank Holiday Monday

No School in Session.

Monday 21st May

School Photos

The school photographer visits for the morning.

Monday 28th May - Friday 1st June

Half

Half Term for our ‘Term Time’ children only.

Monday 28th May

Bank Holiday Monday

No School in Session.

Thursday 14th July

Eid Al-Fitr (Ramadan)

The children will learn about and celebrate Eid.

Friday 15th June

Father's Day Picnic

Celebrating our wonderful fathers.

Friday 13th July

Parent Conference

Parents and teacher meet to discuss child’s progress.

No School in Session.

Friday 13th July

Graduation

Celebrating the children who are leaving us to go to primary school.

Monday 16th July - Friday 10th August

Summer School

Lots of fun in the sun!

Term Dates

Year-round option – 46 weeks

Autumn Term 2017

Term Starts:
Friday 1st September 2017

Half Term:
No Half Term Break

Term Ends:
Friday 15th December 2017

Christmas holidays:
Monday 18th December 2017 – Friday 29th December 2017

Inset Days:
Tuesday 29th August, Wednesday 30th August, Thursday 31st August 2017

Spring Term 2018

Term Starts:
Thursday 4th January 2018

Half Term:
No Half Term Break

Term Ends:
Friday 27th April 2018

Spring Holidays:
Monday 2nd April 2018 to Friday 13th April 2018

Inset Days:
Tuesday 2nd January & Wednesday 3rd January 2018

Summer Term 2018

Term Starts:
Tuesday 1st May 2018

Half Term:
No Half Term Break

Term Ends:
Friday 10th August 2018

Inset Day:
Monday 30th April 2018

Term-time option – 39 weeks

All dates are mostly the same as above. Additionally, these incorporate half-terms, two weeks at Easter and six weeks at Summer.

Autumn Term 2017

Term Starts:
Friday 1st September 2017

Half Term:
Monday 23rd October 2017 – Friday 27th October 2017

Term Ends:
Friday 15th December 2017

Christmas holidays:
Monday 18th December 2017 – Friday 29th December 2017

Inset Days:
Tuesday 29th August, Wednesday 30th August, Thursday 31st August 2017

Spring Term 2018

Term Starts:
Thursday 4th January 2018

Half Term:
Monday 12th February 2018 – Friday 16th February 2018

Term Ends:
Friday 27th April 2018

Spring Holidays:
Monday 2nd April 2018 to Friday 13th April 2018

Inset Days:
Tuesday 2nd January & Wednesday 3rd January 2018

Summer Term 2018

Term Starts:
Tuesday 1st May 2018

Half Term:
Monday 28th May 2018 – Friday 1st June 2018

Term Ends:
Thursday 12th July 2018

Inset Day:
Monday 30th April 2018

Bank holidays

Summer Bank Holiday Monday
28th August 2017

New Year’s Day
1st January 2018

Good Friday
30th March 2018

Easter Monday
2nd April 2018

May Day Monday
7th May 2018

Spring Bank Holiday Monday
28th May 2018

Christmas Party 2017

Saturday 9th December 2017

Parent Conferences

Saturday 18th November 2017
Saturday 28th April 2018

Friday 13th July 2017 (NB: No school in session)

Year-round option – 46 weeks

Autumn Term 2018

Term Starts:
Monday 3rd September 2018

Half Term:
No Half Term Break

Term Ends:
Friday 14th December 2018

Christmas holidays:
Monday 17th December 2018 – Monday 31st December 2018

Inset Days:
Tuesday 28th August, Wednesday 29th August, Thursday 30th August, Friday 31st 2018

Spring Term 2019

Term Starts:
Friday 4th January 2019

Half Term:
No Half Term Break

Term Ends:
Friday 12th April 2019

Spring Holidays:
Monday 15th April 2019 to Friday 26th April 2019

Inset Days:
Wednesday 2nd January & Thursday 3rd January 2019

Summer Term 2019

Term Starts:
Wednesday 1st May 2019

Half Term:
No Half Term Break

Term Ends:
Friday 16th August 2019

Inset Day:
Monday 29th April, Tuesday 30th 2019

Term-time option – 39 weeks

All dates are mostly the same as above. Additionally, these incorporate half-terms, two weeks at Easter and six weeks at Summer.

Autumn Term 2018

Term Starts:
Monday 3rd September 2018

Half Term:
Monday 22nd October 2018 – Friday 26th October 2018

Term Ends:
Friday 14th December 2018

Christmas holidays:
Monday 17th December 2018 – Monday 31st December 2018

Inset Days:
Tuesday 28th August, Wednesday 29th August, Thursday 30th, Friday 31st August 2018

Spring Term 2019

Term Starts:
Friday 4th January 2019

Half Term:
Monday 18th February 2019 – Friday 22nd February 2019

Term Ends:
Friday 12th April 2019

Spring Holidays:
Monday 15th April 2019 to Friday 26th April 2019

Inset Days:
Wednesday 2nd January & Thursday 3rd January 2019

Summer Term 2019

Term Starts:
Wednesday 1st May 2019

Half Term:
Monday 27th May 2019 – Friday 31st May 2019

Term Ends:
Thursday 18th July 2019

Inset Day:
Monday 29th April, Tuesday 30th April 2019

Bank holidays

Summer Bank Holiday Monday
27th August 2018

New Year’s Day
1st January 2019

Good Friday
19th April 2019

Easter Monday
22nd April 2019

May Day Monday
6th May 2019

Spring Bank Holiday Monday
27th May 2019

Christmas Party 2018

Saturday 8th December 2018

Parent Conferences

Saturday 17th November 2018
Saturday 6th April 2019

Friday 19th July 2019 (NB: No school in session)

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Parent Partnership

We aim to promote the well-being of the children in our care and to nurture intelligence, curiosity, and imagination while supporting and developing each child’s unique talents. Our ultimate mission is to prepare the children in our care for life.

We hold 3 formal parent teacher meetings 3 times a year; one in each term. Parents are given regular feedback about their child’s progress and development, and every child is assigned a key person, who is the main link between the home and the nursery. Parents are invited to observe their children regularly and to participate in the life on the nursery by coming in to read books, share their experiences and participate in celebrations and contribute to their child’s learning and development throughout the year.

Articles

24th Jan 2018

Resources

We have put together some resources to help you deepen your understanding of Montessori and child development principles. This will help us to learn together to support your child’s care, learning and development throughout your time with us.

The Secret of Childhood (1972)
by Maria Montessori, Ballantine Books
The Discovery of the Child (1988)
by Maria Montessori, ABC Clio Ltd
The Absorbent Mind (1988)
by Maria Montessori, ABC Clio Ltd
Education for a New World (1994)
by Maria Montessori, ABC Clio Ltd
The Child, Society and the World (1989)
by Maria Montessori, ABC Clio Ltd
Montessori, A Modern Approach (1972)
by Paula Polk-Lillard, Schoken Books
Our Peaceful Classroom (1991)
by Aline Wolf, Parent Child Press

Articles we recommend:

Research shows benefits of Montessori education (external link)

Policies

Our guiding principles

Living Spring Guiding Principles (PDF download)

Our policies

Notes

These policies were updated in January 2018.
From time to time our policies change, so please check this page regularly.
If you have questions about these or any additional policies, please contact us.

Information for parents

Useful information about the daily life of Living Spring

Hours & Fees

Year Round Options - 46 weeks

Term Time Options - 39 weeks

Fees

Meals

Breakfast

Lunch

Snacks through the day

Afternoon tea

Daily Routines

Morning

Lunchtime and nap

Afternoon

Tea and home time

Upcoming events

First day of term

Bank Holiday Monday

School Photos

Half

Bank Holiday Monday

Eid Al-Fitr (Ramadan)

Father's Day Picnic

Parent Conference

Graduation

Summer School

Term Dates

Year-round option – 46 weeks

Autumn Term 2017

Spring Term 2018

Summer Term 2018

Term-time option – 39 weeks

Autumn Term 2017

Spring Term 2018

Summer Term 2018

Bank holidays

Christmas Party 2017

Parent Conferences

Year-round option – 46 weeks

Autumn Term 2018

Spring Term 2019

Summer Term 2019

Term-time option – 39 weeks

Autumn Term 2018

Spring Term 2019

Summer Term 2019

Bank holidays

Christmas Party 2018

Parent Conferences

Parent Partnership

Articles

Classrooms in Action

Other articles

Bonfire Night

Halloween!

Lollipop Lady

Summer Party!

Resources

We have put together some resources to help you deepen your understanding of Montessori and child development principles. This will help us to learn together to support your child’s care, learning and development throughout your time with us.

Articles we recommend:

Policies

Our guiding principles

Our policies

Notes

Useful information about the daily
life of Living Spring