Preschool Environment

We have created, at our Northern Nursery School, an environment that is one of wonder, curiosity, challenge, and beauty, and one which naturally invites children to explore and investigate further. Each year, children, families and teachers care for and enrich our environment with their thoughtfulness, involvement and commitment and, as you walk around the preschool, you will experience a sense of beauty and the love we have for it. Our environment reflects the interests and passions of our children, teachers and families. Materials and experiences are thoughtfully and intentionally planned to provide concrete learning opportunities underpinned by sustainable practices, predictability, possibilities, and belonging.

Our preschool garden is full of surprises – it is a place to be, to investigate, to challenge yourself, to take risks, to collaborate, to immerse yourself in sensory play, to imagine, to wonder and to have fun!

Learning spaces are consistent and incorporate real-life objects. Children know their environment intimately, understanding where materials can be assessed so that they may continue to build on prior learning and knowledge. Decision making and collaboration are encouraged, offering spaces and materials that support a sense of cohesion and teamwork.

Our spaces invite investigation, imagination, deep thinking, creativity, problem solving and meaning making. “If we consider memory to be critical in learning, then the environment must hold memory. .. traces of cognitive processes.” – Tianna Palmisano

Teachers carefully offer provocations that support and enhance inquiries, further challenging thinking, and bringing about new meaning and understanding. “The walls of our preschool speak and document. The walls are used as spaces for temporary and permanent exhibits of what the children and the adults make come to life” – Loris Malaguzzi