Little Oaks Montessori Pre-school and Toddler Group

Little OaksContact Name: Sarah Bonner, Secretary

Contact Number: 01769 520601

Contact email: sarah@bonnybeef.co.uk

Little Oaks Montessori Pre-School welcomes children aged 3, 4 and 5 years old. We operate four sessions a week, with optional lunch clubs as outlined below.

Little Oaks is a registered charity (Charity number 1029268) and a non-profit making organisation, run by an elected voluntary committee. We are Ofsted regulated and inspected. The pre-school operates within Burrington Parish Hall and has daily access to outdoor play areas using either the garden of Burrington Primary School which is immediately adjacent to the hall or the village’s Multi Use Games Area.

We operate with a high staff to pupil ratio and take a maximum of 17 children at any session.

Timetable

Pre-School 

    
Session    9.30 am to 12 noon   Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Lunch club     12 noon to 1.25 pm Wednesday, Thursday
Toddlers 9.30 am to 12 noon Wednesday ages 0-5

What is Montessori?

The Montessori Method is a child centred approach to early years education and uses specialised materials.  These materials are beautifully crafted and are laid out permanently around the classroom within an orderly and structured framework. The child is encouraged to explore and experiment and follow their own interests using these unique learning tools that provide specific learning for their own stage of development.

The child is allowed to “work it out for myself” with the direction of the teacher as required.The teacher is the link between the child and the ‘Prepared Environment’, consolidating individual learning and providing new challenges that are appropriate to each child.

The Montessori classroom provides a calm and focused environment promoting independence, self confidence and self esteem and encourages the child to develop as an individual with a clear understanding of socially acceptable skills.  Research published September 2006 in the journal Science and reported in the national press concluded “Children who are allowed to learn at their own pace, develop better social and academic skills”.

Toddler Group

The Toddler group operates as a drop-in session on a Wednesday morning. For over a year now, we have provided a member of staff to run our Toddler session. This is a time for parents to come with their children aged 0 to 5 for social fun and play time. A craft activity is usually undertaken each session and a snack and drink are provided for all children to share together with tea and coffee for all parents / carers. The session ends with a group Circle Time and bubbles ….!

Waiting List

Children attend Little Oaks from many surrounding parishes including Burrington, Chulmleigh, High Bickington, Winkleigh, Umberleigh, Atherington, Ashreigney and South Molton. If you would like to consider sending your child to Little Oaks  we recommend you register your child on our Waiting List by contacting the Secretary Sarah Bonner on 01769 520601.

Fees

Early Years Education Funding (EYEF) places are available and normal conditions apply.
(£8.23 per session if your child is eligible for EYEF but not claiming with Little Oaks)

Non-funded sessions: £4 without adult, £2.50 with adult (for example whilst feeding in)

Lunch club is charged separately at £3 per session.
Toddlers £2.50 per family.