An integral role

18 Dec An integral role

Nature plays an integral role in daily life at Baldersby Park Montessori Nursery.

For Ruby Horsfall this was an important factor in choosing Baldersby for her daughter, and after seeing Lula’s development over the past three years she’s confident she made the right decision.

“Just recently Lula started pointing out different trees and identifying them to us which was wonderful. She has a love of nature and its clear that has been encouraged at nursery,” said Ruby.

Lula joined during lockdown, a time when parents weren’t allowed the usual look around the nursery or to stay for the first couple of sessions.

“We were new to the area and friends recommended Baldersby to us because of the positive experience their child had,” said Ruby. “We were able to research online but couldn’t have a good look round because of Covid.”

Ruby, who teaches English at secondary school, said she was impressed at the caring way staff built up Ruby’s confidence, allowing her to extend the nursery day in her own time. Now she spends four full days a week there and will soon be joined by baby brother Rafferty.

“He’s two months old and I’m currently on maternity leave with him, “said Ruby. “We decided to keep Lula in nursery even though I’m at home because she enjoys it so much and would really miss her friends.”

Baldersby Park follows the Montessori way of teaching which is very much based around learning through play and exploration rather than sitting at a desk.

Ruby says this has worked well for Lula.

“We’ve seen clear progress in her reading, letters and numbers and importantly Lula really enjoys it. The other day there were some tears because she was having such a good time with her friends she didn’t want to leave.”