About Us
Where Little Minds Flourish and Grow
The Lamp Montessori Preschool is a family-oriented school in a rental property at 13 Sunnyside Rd, Crawford. Lamp is a privately owned school established in 2016, with 7 children and 2 Montessoritrained guides at the time. We currently have 16 children of 18 months to 5 years. Our teachers are warm, loving, and nurturing. We are your angels’ home away from home.
Our Approach
Islamic Ethos & Montessori Practice
Islamic Ethos
During circle time, our angels recite Surah Faatigah, Surah Ikhlaas, and the Islamic greeting (and others). We recite Islamic rhymes/qasidahs. We have the Arabic alphabet in the classroom, and children can work with it. We use the same Montessori principle as numbers and letters.
We include the duahs before and after eating. We teach them to say Alhamdulillaah when they sneeze and maaf/pardon me when they burp. We have several themes, including Islamic themes. During these special themes, we focus on the specific teachings of that particular time, e.g., Ramadaan, Moulood, and Hajj.
When they are toilet training, we teach them about istinja and the importance of cleanliness. At snack and lunchtime, we teach them to eat with their right hand.
Madrasah
Madrasah is on Tuesday and Thursday and is compulsory for all our angels in the preschool class.
A Brief Overview of the Montessori Philosophy
Practical Life
Focuses on enhancing the required everyday life skills to become independent, develop order, concentration, and co-ordination of movement (e.g., food preparation, caring for oneself, the environment, and others; sweeping, pouring water, preparing a snack, baking, toilet routine, etc.). These life skills also develop gross and fine motor skills, and prepare the child for reading and writing.
Sensorial
Sensorial activities are designed to broaden and refine a child’s senses. They improve the child’s sense of order, discrimination, and observation skills. Sensorial activities not only encourage mathematical skills, but also help children become perceptive, logical, and aware.
Culture
The Culture area encourages knowledge and understanding of the world around us. It incorporates lessons in Geography, History, Art, Music, Science, and people around the world. We are an inclusive school with an Islamic ethos and open to all cultures.
Language
The language area activities take advantage of each child’s absorbent mind, developing their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills. The reading area is well stocked with a range of suitable, age-appropriate literature.
Mathematics
Dr. Montessori believed that children can absorb mathematical concepts naturally and designed special concrete materials to introduce them to the concepts of numbers, shapes, dimensions, time, etc.
Art
The paints and various other art materials on the shelf encourage exploration with different media of expression. Art is integrated into the writing activities and reading experiences of the young child.
Outdoor Environment
The playground is a beautiful space with a garden that the children take care of. It provides a lovely space for running, kicking a ball, and imaginative play. We have a newly installed jungle gym and seesaw which our angels thoroughly enjoy and is great for their gross motor development.
Snacks
Children bring their healthy snacks daily – snacks that will support good physical and mental development. They help set the table before eating and clean up after themselves. We prefer ONLY healthy snacks and water in a clearly labelled bottle. We discourage processed foods at school. It will be returned home.
Lunch
A healthy meal is prepared daily and ranges from curries, akhni, biryani, mac & cheese, Braised Tuna, spaghetti bolognese, Dhal, Soup, Fried Hake, Roasted Chicken, and Vegetable Food. We use coconut oil, Himalayan salt, and basmati rice in our cooking.
Birthdays
Birthdays are a special celebration, and we take a trip around the sun every year. Birthday cakes or cupcakes are not required. Please send something healthy for the children to enjoy. Party bags are optional and must include healthy items.
Bakers Day
The designated birthday baker brings a recipe for a healthy snack/muffin, cake/pancake, etc., and appoints a sous chef to assist him/her. Our baking ingredients include gluten-free flour, real butter, coconut or olive oil, and coconut blossom sugar.
Extramural (Optional)
External service providers offer extramural programs at an additional cost. They include:
- Swimming - compulsory in summer (November to February)
- Fitness Stars – compulsory
- Sports Hub
- Developing Future Maestros
- Ballet
Daily Programme
The Lamp Montessori Daily Programme
3 to 6 Group
- 07h15 – 08h30 Arrival
- 08h30 – 11h30 Work Cycle (Includes work, snack, circle time, story time, and music ring)
- 11h30 – 12h00 Outdoor Play
- 12h00 – 12h30 Handwashing/Lunch
- 12h30 Half day children depart
- 12h30 – 14h45 Free Play (The children are free to choose any work), nap time (for those needing a nap), outdoor play, snack time, and art
- 15h00 Departure time for ¾ day children
Toddler Group
- 07h15 – 08h30 Arrival
- 08h30 – 11h30 Work Cycle (This includes work, snack, circle time, story time, music ring, and nappy changing)
- 11h30 – 12h00 Outside Play
- 12h00 – 12h30 Handwashing and Lunch
- 12h30 Half day children depart
- 12h30 – 14h45 Nap time, outside play, snack time, and departure
- 15h00 ¾ departure
- 15h00 – 17h00 Aftercare, free play, snack, art, and departure
Come See Lamp Montessori for Yourself
We would love to show you around our classrooms and introduce you to our team.
Get in Touch