OUR APPROACH AND CURRICULUM
At Your Montessori Pre-school and Day Nursery in Iver Heath, South Buckinghamshire, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) alongside a Montessori-inspired approach to learning.
Our nursery environment is calm, carefully prepared and designed to support each child as an individual. Through hands-on activities, exploration and choice, children develop confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.
Families looking for a nurturing Montessori nursery in Iver Heath often tell us they value our balance between structured learning and child-led discovery.
Our Curriculum: EYFS and Montessori
At Your Montessori, we deliver a carefully planned curriculum that blends the EYFS framework (the UK national framework for early education) with the Montessori philosophy of learning.
This combined approach provides children aged 6 months to 5 years with a well-rounded early education experience that supports both structured development and independent learning.
Our curriculum planning is guided by careful observation. Our practitioners observe how children engage, what sparks their curiosity and what they are ready to learn next. Activities are then tailored to suit each child’s interests, abilities and developmental stage.
Montessori-inspired activities encourage children to:
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Develop independence
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Build concentration
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Strengthen problem-solving skills
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Grow in confidence and self-motivation
All through hands-on experiences and purposeful play.
Montessori-Inspired Practice
The Montessori aspect of our curriculum focuses on exploration, independence and purposeful activity.
Children engage with carefully selected materials and practical life activities that support:
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Fine motor development
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Concentration and focus
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Problem-solving skills
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Real-world independence
These experiences help children develop confidence in their abilities while building strong foundations for future learning.
Through meaningful activities, children gain a deep sense of capability, curiosity and independence.
What is Montessori
The Montessori method is a child-centred approach to education that supports children’s natural curiosity and love of learning.
Developed by Dr Maria Montessori, the philosophy focuses on nurturing independence, confidence and respect for every child as an individual.
In a Montessori early years environment, children learn through hands-on, purposeful activities using carefully chosen materials. They are encouraged to explore, make choices and learn at their own pace within a calm and structured setting.
This approach helps children develop:
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Concentration
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Confidence
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Problem-solving skills
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Self-motivation
The Montessori philosophy also places strong emphasis on practical life skills, such as self-care, coordination, responsibility and respect for others.
Trained practitioners guide and support children, carefully observing when they are ready for new challenges and learning opportunities.
By nurturing independence, creativity and a love of discovery, Montessori education provides a powerful foundation for lifelong learning and a confident transition into school.
Dr Maria Montessori
Dr Maria Montessori began developing her educational philosophy in the early 20th century and opened her first school in Rome in 1906.
At the Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House) she introduced innovative teaching methods based on observing how children naturally learn.
Through her research, she developed principles that remain at the heart of Montessori education today:
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Every child is unique
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Children learn best at their own pace
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Learning should be engaging, purposeful and enjoyable
Her work continues to inspire Montessori nurseries around the world, including our setting here in Iver Heath.
Extra Curricular Activities
Alongside our EYFS and Montessori curriculum, we offer a variety of extra-curricular activities designed to enrich children’s learning and development.
These sessions bring excitement to the day while helping children discover new interests and talents.
Our activities include:
Spanish
Introduced through songs, games and simple vocabulary to encourage communication, memory and cultural awareness.
Yoga
Gentle movement, breathing and relaxation exercises that support mindfulness, balance and emotional wellbeing.
Dance
Fun and energetic sessions that build coordination, rhythm and self-expression.
Music
Singing, instruments and movement activities that support listening skills, creativity and language development.
Sports and Physical Play
Activities such as running, balancing and throwing that help develop strength, coordination and resilience.
Cooking
Weekly cooking sessions where children prepare healthy dishes to enjoy at snack time or take home, encouraging conversations about nutrition and healthy eating.
Gardening
Children dig, plant and care for herbs, fruits and vegetables, learning about nature while enjoying the foods they help grow.
