Montessori Playgroup

A Montessori-inspired holiday playgroup including sensory, art and crafts, snacks, music and story time.

WHAT KIND OF WORLD DO YOU WANT TO CREATE FOR YOUR CHILDREN?

Little Pathways is a Montessori aligned playgroup. We believe that every child is unique and that by creating a carefully prepared and inviting environment we can provide you with tools to lead & support them.

By observing and following the child, we can help you to raise a curious and responsible human being. We want you to build a relationship with them that you continue to cherish every day.

WHY MONTESSORI?

Children learn from each other and are given support for independent self-directed activity. Montessori classrooms provide a range of materials that are organised and made available for free and independent use, while teachers maintain the class structure and direct every child towards their best learning opportunities.

MIXED AGE CLASSES

We will have mixed-age classes from 0 to 5 years old.* This encourages peer learning which has been shown to have fantastic results. The younger children learn by watching the older children master in a relatable way, and the older children cement their knowledge by teaching the younger ones. 

*Please enquire about older children joining

LEARNING TOGETHER

During class time, not only are the children learning but so are the parents. Play is a child’s work and we must respect that. Repetition equals mastery. By observing, going slow and including the child in our lives, we can change the way we raise them through those vital early years. We hope to turn the toddler years into a mutually respectful and rewarding time packed with learning and discovery. 

WHAT SETS LITTLE PATHWAYS APART?

Experience learning reimagined with a thoughtfully created program designed and facilitated with you and your child in mind

Educational workshops

Mixed age groups enhancing learning

Facilitated play with experienced educators

Lifelong learning for Adult and Child

SO HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK?

Our program will run during the school holidays to ensure that parents are able to still create structure and learning outside of term time. 

Themes for Summer 2023 include the seaside, minibeasts, teddy bear's picnic, foodies and on the farm. 


Each lesson will have several elements to keep the children engaged and interested. There will be stations set up for the children to engage at their leisure, as we encourage child-led sessions. Free play is where we have the freedom of choice in our activities including language, mathematics, fine motor, and practical life skills. Our arts and crafts places emphasis on process over product, letting the children use their imagination in a creative setting. In music and movement we learn through songs and let our energy flow through our body. We then explore through touch, feel, sound, smell and taste in our sensory play. Then finally we have story time where we can learn valuable life lessons through the books we read. 


By observing, going slow and including the child in our lives, we can change the way we raise them through those vital early years. We hope to turn the early years into a mutually respectful and rewarding time packed with learning and discovery.


Join us to begin your journey along our little pathways today.

THINGS TO NOTE:

Summer Holidays 2023

Current enrolments are for the following start date & times:

Dates: Tuesday 25th July to Wednesday 23rd August

Time:  10:00 - 11:30

Cost: £7.50 per child; £12 for two children (one family) 

Under 6 months are free with paying sibling

info@excelerantpathways.com

Contact us for more information or to reserve your spot

If 6 or more sessions are booked, a 10% discount will be applied!

The number of places is limited so booking is essential. 

Booking closes on Sunday evening for the sessions in the following week to ensure that sessions are planned accordingly. 

Please note we are not running on the last week of the summer holidays

General Session Flow

*Free Exploration consists of multiple stations for children to choose from including Arts & Crafts, Sensory & Work Cycle

Activity Themes

What people have been saying about us:

"It's the one time in the week I get to see my child doing structured activities which is such a joy for me"  

"A massive benefit for me is just getting a few little ideas each week for activities and how to incorporate Montessori into practical life." 

"I really enjoy Jenna's class and my child is very content, busy, and satisfied."  

"My child has loved being able to socialise and be able to pick what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it." 

"Jenna is brilliant! So patient" 

Meet the teacher

Jenna was born and raised in Lancashire. She completed her degree in French Studies at The University of Nottingham before flying out to Hong Kong where she spent over 7 years working at some of the top Montessori pre-schools in the world. On her return to the U.K. shortly after having her daughter, she found there were no Montessori groups to attend, so in 2021 she created Little Pathways. 

Having been trained whilst working at the Woodland Pre-School group in Hong Kong, Jen brings cutting edge ideas to the classic Montessori methodology. 

Spending her time planning, preparing and facilitating this course, she is motivated by the desire to ensure her daughter has access to the kind of education that she has come to value as standard. 

Looking to share this knowledge and passion she is ready to welcome you into her class with a beaming smile and boundless enthusiasm

VENUE: Shardlow Village Hall

31 The Wharf, Shardlow, Derby DE72 2GH

Ideally located just off junction 24 of the M1, Shardlow is situated between Derby and Nottingham. 

Close to the canal, the village hall also backs on to a playing field and playground for general public use - a perfect location for a Montessori playgroup.