Key to her decision

18 Dec Key to her decision

For Eleanor Wade, the Montessori programme of teaching adopted at Baldersby Park was key to her decision to choose the nursery for her two children, Harriet and Walter.

The Montessori method is a holistic approach that aims to foster self-confidence and encourage children to use their own inner guidance to learning. It’s based on a belief that children learn best by doing and that happy self-motivated learners form positive images of themselves as confident, successful people.

 “Montessori is key to me, children enjoy their time at nursery but they are not just playing, but learning,” said Eleanor. “I love the fact that teaching children life skills is very much part of the day, things like the difference between right and wrong, good discipline and holding a pen properly.”

Harriet, now 7, had experienced another nursery prior to moving to Baldersby Park, initially at its previous location and then at its current location in the grounds of Queen Mary’s School, which Harriet now attends.

“When Harriet was first at a nursery on an industrial park, she literally had a metre of outdoor space to play in between the building and the car park,” said Eleanor. “She has always enjoyed nature and so the open green spaces at Baldersby Park were perfect.”

Walter, now four, followed in his sister’s footsteps and has been at Baldersby Park since he was eleven months old, now attending two days a week.

“He absolutely loves the woodland school, I do believe that being able to go outdoors and experience nature in that way is so important,” said Eleanor. “Even if Harriet were at a different school, I would make the detour to take Walter to Baldersby Park because I was so pleased with Harriet’s experience there.”

Eleanor has been pleased to see how Walter’s confidence has grown. The youngest of his cousins, she says he now feels “part of the gang” because he can write his name and is proud of his important part in the forthcoming nativity play.”

“He is the innkeeper and has been rehearsing his lines. He’s very proud to be able to tell us there is “no room at the inn,” she said.