Programmes · ages 1 to 6
From little buds to bloomers
From a first morning away from home to the last day before primary school, your child moves through classes built for their age, with the same calm Montessori rhythm and two languages every day.
Little Buds
A soft, safe first step away from home. Little Buds explore with their hands and senses, follow a simple daily rhythm, and hear French songs and words from the very first week.
- Sensory play, music and movement
- First words and songs in English and French
- Rest time and care routines that follow your child's own rhythm
Teachers: Teacher Evelyn · Maîtresse Ruth (French)
Little Sprouts
Toddlers want to do it themselves, and here they can. Little Sprouts pour their own water, wash their hands before snack and put their work back where it belongs.
- Practical life: pouring, serving, tidying, caring for plants
- Using words to share feelings and ask for help
- Story time, building blocks and playdough in group time
Teachers: Teacher Xornam, Teacher Diana · Maîtresse Nelly (French)
Blossoms
The full Montessori work cycle begins. Blossoms choose from all five areas each morning and stay with an activity as long as it holds them. The class runs as two small groups, each with a lead and an assistant teacher.
- Sensorial materials: similarities, differences, shapes, the five senses
- Counting and recognising numbers 1 to 10
- Following a sequence of up to three directions
Teachers: Group 1: Benedicta with Charlotte · Group 2: Gifty with Esther · Maîtresse Nelly (French)
Sunflowers
Curiosity reaches outwards. Sunflowers build early reading and maths with Montessori materials and travel the world through weekly themes, one continent at a time.
- Letters, sounds and holding a pencil correctly
- Cooking and measuring as everyday maths
- Cultural studies: continents, weather, plants and planets
Teachers: Teacher Lenora · Maîtresse Gemima (French)
Bloomers
The oldest children become the leaders of the classroom. Bloomers read, count, explain their work to others and leave Cedrus ready for primary school, in an English or a French-language system.
- Reading, writing and number work with Montessori materials
- Speaking with confidence at Show & Tell and the end-of-year show
- Graduation in June, with families on the garden stage
Teachers: Teacher Patience · Maîtresse Gemima (French)
One Montessori approach, from Little Buds to Bloomers
Every class follows the same calm rhythm: a prepared classroom, a morning work cycle and the freedom to choose. See how it works, or download the full curriculum.
What children learn
Curriculum Details
All activities are age appropriate at Cedrus Montessori
- Recognising similarities and differences
- Recognising quantity of numbers 1-10 and identifying numeric symbols
- Learning how to use words to express feelings, and ask for help when needed
- Holding a colouring pencil correctly – the frog and colouring within limits
- Cooking and measurement
- Following a sequence of directions (not more than 3)
- Enhance skills for autonomy through practical life (i.e. serving own water/snack, cleaning and care of the environment)
- Exploration of the five senses
Group Time
At the beginning of the year our group time (similar to a circle time) is informal and we don’t force anyone to sit while we read. As the year progresses and their attention spans grow, they sit on a carpet square while we read a short story and recite one of our favourite finger plays or dance to one of our favourite songs. This gets them used to sitting together and they will be ready for a more structured group time.
Snack
A lot of independence takes place during snack time. We start from the very first day carefully showing the children how we wash our hands before and after snack, how we sit at the tables, and how we clean up our spots when we are finished.
Music & Movement
(Drumming and dancing)
This might be using rhythm sticks, or singing to our favourite songs.
Playground
Both areas have lots of toys that allow the children to use their large motor skills. We make sure they get at least 30 minutes of time moving their bodies.
Bilingual programme
A French teacher in every class
French is part of the day, not an extra lesson. Each class has its own Maîtresse who joins the children's work, songs and stories, so French grows the same way English does: by living in it.
Bonjour, les Sunflowers!Hours and extended care
A school day that fits family life
Not sure which class fits?
Visit us with your child. We'll show you the classroom for their age and answer your questions.