At Nest, we provide a rich, nurturing environment for children. Driven by the belief that children are to be respected as the unique individuals that they are, and we work in partnership with families to support each child at the level that they need.

Child-led curriculum, long-term projects and open-ended exploration and discussions bring together language activities, social and cultural understanding, science, math, dramatic play and creative arts. These experiences provide children with an environment which encourages investigation and discovery. Together we question, problem-solve and learn. It’s up to educators and parents to shape their environment and experiences in meaningful and positive ways.

• We encourage children to become problem solvers, independent thinkers and to gain life skills.

• The development of verbal, motor, social and critical-thinking skills through a developmentally-appropriate play-based curriculum.

• Collaboration with parents, teachers and students on some longer term activities.

• A connection with nature is an essential part of development! Sunshine, fresh-air, and observing animals, insects and plants on a regular basis daily can benefit a child’s development in many ways.

• An open, sun-filled and engaging environment creates the perfect setting for a child to learn while discovering and engaging each of their senses.

• Ongoing documentation of each child’s explorations and process of learning.
  

A Union of Reggio Emilia and Montessori Inspired Philosophies
We have a philosophy inspired by the combination of Reggio Emilia and Montessori early childhood education approaches. We’ve adopted many aspects of these two philosophies; here are a few:

• Collaborative Learning
  Children are collaborators in relationships with each other, teachers, parents and their environment.

• Environment as the Third Teacher
  In Reggio thinking there is a belief that the environment is the “third teacher” and that it is crucial to provide children with plenty of natural light, space for movement, stimulation and access to open-ended play resources. For babies and young children it is important that these are highly tactile and varied so that they can investigate them using their primary way of interacting with the world; the senses.

• The Hundred Languages of Children
  The "hundred languages of children" is a concept central to the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. It refers to the multitude of ways children express themselves, learn, and make sense of the world around them. This includes not only language in the traditional sense, but also drawing, building, sculpting, dance, music, dramatic play, and other forms of expression.

  The concept emphasizes that children are capable and competent learners who actively construct their knowledge through a variety of symbolic languages. The Reggio Emilia approach values these diverse modes of expression and provides rich environments and experiences that encourage children to explore, experiment, and communicate their understandings in multiple ways.