The School Philosophy

Little Missionary's Day Nursery provides a supportive environment where children can express their feelings freely and learn to respect the feelings of others. Since nursery school is the child's first experience of belonging to a larger group, we feel this experience should be a positive one. We use creative strategies for encouraging children's adaptation to the group, such as discussion of feelings, puppet games, reading stories about fears, separation anxiety, anger, and so on. We accept the children's negative feelings without judgment and help them to verbalize rather than act them out.

We believe that children learn through play. Dramatic play enhances literacy and improves communication skills. Building with blocks develops math skills, as does sensory play with sand, water, and other natural materials. Cooking gives children a sense of involvement and control, as well as enhancing their math skills while they weigh, measure, mix, roll, cut, and so on. We believe, as Piaget did, that children should understand math concepts on a concrete level before progressing to abstract rules. Similarly, we believe that reading and writing should be fostered in a meaningful way. Frequent reading and discussion of good children's books, dramatic re-enactment, and self-motivated writing are better pathways towards literacy than enforced repetition and memorization of letters.

Children's physical development is important. We go outdoors every day when possible, and we have a weekly music and movement program with a qualified dance teacher. Group games are non-competitive and aimed at developing children's confidence and encouraging a sense of fun and enjoyment.