Nido Environment

A ‘prepared environment’ is an environment rich in developmental opportunities while maintaining a simplicity and beauty. It is overseen by a qualified Montessori directress as well as a trained teacher and is equipped with quality materials that offer your child the opportunity to grow and develop.

These teachers are supported by staff trained in Infant Care as well as by ‘nannies’. All of these women have been chosen for their understanding of ‘the needs of the child’; a need for security in warm, loving relationships – an opportunity to bond; a need to explore and discover without undue adult intervention; a need for firm guidance and boundaries; a need for routine and order, a need to develop a sense of self and independence and finally a need to grow and develop according to their own internal clock.

These women have a caring, respectful response to your child’s needs, both physical and psychological and convey a message of unconditional love and acceptance.

Your infant is also able to participate in all reading, gym and music programs as well as work with appropriate Montessori equipment designed to encourage independence and build their self esteem.

The Nido environment is divided into 5 areas:

The eating area

There are no highchairs in a Montessori infant environment. Children too young to sit up on their own are fed in the arms of a caring adult.

Once your infant is able to sit up on his/her own and is eating some solid foods, a very low infant chair and table are provided.

Your infant sits at the table with a caring adult and participates in self feeding as well as learning how to drink out of a small glass.


The sleeping area

The small babies sleep in individual cots while the mobile infants sleep on mattresses on the floor. The mobile infants are able to move to the mats when they are ready to rest and to crawl off and explore upon waking instead of waiting for an adult to remove them from the cot.

The infant is delighted with this small gem of independence and will often lie awake watching the rest of the room before crawling/toddling over to one of the carers. Their pleasure at having this choice is obvious and a joy to behold. There are no pacifiers in a Montessori environment. They are not necessary. Pacifiers are designed to quiet a child for the convenience of the adult not for the developmental aims of the child. Comforting an infant and helping them move beyond dependency is our responsibility.

The movement area

This area is divided into two areas – one for the pre-crawling infants and the other for the more mobile infants.

• Pre-crawling movement area
  
  There is a large mirror on the wall with a mat in front of it where your infant can lie and observe him/herself or the rest of the environment. There are also mobiles in this area for your infant to look at or to touch and mouth as well as a low shelf with various objects to explore.
  
  
• Mobile Infants movement area
  
  This area has stairs, trackers, wagons, tunnels, ramps and barrels to encourage and enhance sitting, crawling, walking and climbing.
  
  There are also low shelves containing language materials which encourage self-expression and auditory and visual development. It is also in this area that toddlers seek out manipulatives which introduce patterns and shapes as well as activities for sorting, stacking, threading and exploring.
  
  There is an additional indoor environment that contains thick floor mats and soft gym equipment that the mobile infants have free access to for most of the day.

The Changing Area

This area is designed to create a safe, hygienic environment where your infant can be bathed and changed. It is large and airy with separate changing and bathing areas. There are also shelves for storage of your infant’s personal items.

As bathing and changing are a one on one experience the carers use this time to deepen the bond with your infant through conversation and massage. This is where the beginning of dressing and undressing skills is acquired so with gentle encouragement from the carer your child learns to actively participate in the process.

The Outdoor Area

The outdoor area is turf grass and undercover of shade cloth and awnings. It allows for gross motor movement with wagons, bikes and balls for rolling and chasing, as well as the opportunity for sand and water play (depending on the age of your child).

Art activities also take place outside. The children are often placed in a large wagon to go on nature walks to see the horses, rabbits, birds and cats in the neighbouring facilities.