We support children in becoming confident communicators and attentive listeners in diverse situations.

• Indoors: Engaging in circle time discussions, enjoying storytelling with props, using precise language with Montessori materials, participating in role-play.
• Outdoors: Describing discoveries (shells, leaves, minibeasts), discussing weather patterns, listening to environmental sounds, communicating during collaborative tasks like den building, learning new vocabulary related to nature and the coast.
• Both: Singing songs and rhymes, engaging in rich back-and-forth conversations with practitioners and peers.

We help children build a positive sense of self, form strong relationships, develop social skills, and understand and manage their emotions effectively.

• Indoors: Developing independence through practical life tasks, concentrating on chosen work, learning respect for materials and others (Montessori grace & courtesy).
• Outdoors: Building resilience by overcoming physical challenges, gaining confidence through mastering new skills (like using tools safely), developing teamwork during group projects (shelter building, navigating), fostering empathy through caring for the environment.
• Both: Playing turn-taking games, participating in group projects, learning emotional literacy vocabulary, building independence in self-care.

We provide extensive opportunities for children to be active, developing coordination, control, movement, and an understanding of healthy choices.

• Indoors: Refining fine motor skills through manipulating Montessori materials (pinching, pouring, threading), engaging in practical life activities involving coordination.
• Outdoors: Developing gross motor skills through climbing trees and logs, balancing on uneven surfaces, running freely, digging in sand/soil, navigating woodland and coastal terrain. Developing fine motor skills through knot tying, using tools (hammers, peelers, saws under supervision), collecting small natural treasures.
• Both: Understanding the importance of physical activity, practicing health and self-care routines (including dressing appropriately for outdoor weather).

We encourage children to connect sounds and letters, igniting an interest in reading and writing through meaningful experiences.

• Indoors: Exploring phonics through Montessori Sandpaper Letters and Movable Alphabet, accessing a wide range of books in our reading corner, engaging with story sacks.
• Outdoors: Creating story maps, making marks in mud or sand, using natural materials to form letters, reading nature-themed stories in the woods or on the beach, following written clues on treasure hunts.
• Both: Developing mark-making skills, enjoying a print-rich environment, linking sounds to letters.

We provide practical opportunities for children to develop skills in counting, understanding numbers, simple calculation, and exploring shape, space, and measure.

• Indoors: Working with Montessori mathematical materials (Number Rods, beads, geometry shapes), engaging in number games and songs, sequencing activities.
• Outdoors: Counting natural objects (shells, leaves, stones), sorting items by attributes, identifying patterns in nature, measuring distances or heights (using standard or non-standard units), exploring shapes in den building or sandcastle construction, understanding capacity through water/sand play.
• Both: Solving practical problems, comparing quantities, describing shapes and positions.

We guide children to make sense of their physical world, their community, and the wider environment through exploration, observation, and investigation.

• Indoors: Using Montessori cultural materials (globes, maps, life cycle puzzles), conducting simple science experiments, exploring technology safely.
• Outdoors: Exploring woodland and coastal habitats, observing plants, animals (minibeasts, birds, marine life), and seasonal changes directly, learning about tides and weather, investigating natural processes (growth, decay), learning about conservation and caring for our local Mersea environment, using tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars.
• Both: Learning about people, places, and communities, discussing different cultures and traditions.