Hopes and Dreams Prospectus

Nurturing, stimulating communities where children grow and learn through creative play.

for a GREAT START...

curiosit and wo My nursery, by Yara aged 3

Welcome to Hopes and Dreams, two Montessori nurseries in Central London built on a shared philosophy to encourage each child’s natural curiosity, and nurture their innate sense of wonder.

ty onder.

Nazish Usman Principal of Hopes and Dreams Montessori Nurseries

Guided by our skilled Educators, children at Hopes and Dreams have access to an engaging environment where they can learn and grow through creative play, at their own pace.

From the age of three months to five years, we support their development as independent thinkers, while also fostering their appreciation and respect for others.

WE EXPLORE THE WORLD AROUND US. Every child has an innate desire to explore. It forms an important part of their personal development, encouraging them to use their senses and test out theories while making mistakes and learning to persevere. Outdoors, they have space to explore a variety of natural materials, from sticks and leaves to pebbles and rocks, providing the opportunity for creative play and developing their understanding of the world in which we live.

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More than 25 years ago, Hopes and Dreams was founded on the belief that a nursery education should truly light the touchpaper for a child’s learning journey.

We believe our responsibility, at its heart, is to craft positive experiences that excite and inspire children, laying the foundations for the many years of learning that lie ahead.

progressive, inspirational.

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Our Educators are not just experienced and knowledgeable, they are compassionate and considerate.

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inspiring character and confidence.

Every family at Hopes and Dreams is assigned a Key Person who will build a secure and positive relationship with your child over time, channelling their character and guiding their natural appetite for exploration.

Your Key Person will monitor and report on your child’s ongoing progress as part of a collaborative, open process. Parents can access reports at any time and they are encouraged to contribute to their child’s nursery story.

Our Educators understand the importance of following each child’s individual needs and supporting them in working at their own pace.

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We ensure all children are actively engaged in their learning development experience at a level that is right for them.

They will be involved in decision-making, turn-taking, sharing and collaboration.

They will have the chance to choose their own resources and explore various activities throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors.

The design of our physical settings provides the perfect backdrop for active,

HOPES AND DREAMS MONTESSORI NURSERIES

growing our cast of characters...

WE EMBRACE THE DIFFERENCES. We take great care to treat everyone as a person, with equal rights and responsibilities, whether they are an adult or a child. We encourage positive role models, displayed through toys, imaginative play, books and posters that promote nonstereotyped images. All children are encouraged to join in all activities, including dressing up, role play, climbing on large equipment or playing with dolls or bikes. We learn about and celebrate different countries,

Beautiful flowers, by Emily aged 3

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each child is individual.

My Key Person,

by Eliza aged 3

Parents, more than anyone, know their child is unique.

At Hopes and Dreams, we too celebrate children as individuals.

Every day at Hopes and Dreams, your child’s primary point of connection is their Key Person.

This individual will build a secure and positive relationship We ensure that each with your child over child is understood time, channelling and given the exact their character support they need, and guiding their working closely natural appetite for together with exploration. parents.

Your Key Person will This partnership monitor and report approach is on your child’s fundamental to the ongoing progress philosophy at the as part of a heart of the wider collaborative, open Dukes Education process. community, providing a Parents can access wealth of unique reports at any opportunities for our time and they are families to connect. encouraged to contribute to their child’s nursery story.

HOPES AND DREAMS MONTESSORI NURSERIES

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DESIGNED for the and early y Angel

Old Street.

Our nursery settings are designed to put children first, and within minutes of walking into Hopes and Dreams at either Angel or Old Street, you will see what that means.

Both locations share a recognisable feel, which comes not only from the physical environment but also from the ethos and values that are common to us all at Hopes and Dreams.

Our Educators are committed to delivering the best nursery care without compromise – something they have done every day for many years.

Through their knowledge, experience and dedication, they create a secure, warm and supportive atmosphere. They have the awareness to monitor and manage each child’s physical and mental well-being at all times.

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years.

WE SPEND LOTS OF TIME OUTDOORS. The outdoor world incorporates surfaces and objects that are ready-made for children to challenge themselves, helping develop motor skills and increase physical strength and balance.

Exposure to natural environments boosts delicate immune systems and leads to greater respect for nature. Time spent in nature even helps babies establish healthy sleep patterns, encouraging their cognitive, emotional and physical development.

The children are first.

Always. Core to all our thinking. They choose their own resources and explore various activities throughout the day, both indoors and outdoors. The prepared environment, including provision for continuous play, provides free play, child-initiated, adult led and group activities.

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WE LEAD OUR OWN LEARNING. Children are in charge! We understand how they experience the world through their senses: by seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting, moving, balancing and hearing. Child-initiated play gives provides the freedom for individuals to choose what they play with, as well as how and when they do so. They can explore their own interests and make decisions independently.

They have time to investigate and experiment.

For children and for parents, our aim is to make the connection between nursery life and home life as seamless as possible.

LED BY CHILDREN AND GUIDED BY US. The Montessori ethos means that activities are led by the children and guided by us.

We don’t order or instruct them, we listen, communicate and converse. We are interested in their thoughts and ideas. We want to understand and nurture their individual strengths and skills.

Although both locations are within touching distance of the City of London, we ensure children are exposed to the wealth of green

spaces and gardens on our doorstep through regular guided walks. We also help them discover the cultural riches within nearby libraries.

To smooth your child’s progress, we’ll meet with you at home to begin the journey of getting to know you as a family.

For children and for parents, our aim is to make the connection between nursery life and home life as seamless as possible.

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adventures an beginnings.

WE EXPERIMENT AND CHALLENGE. Shadow, glow, luminosity, radiance, and silhouette are just a few of the concepts we explore when learning about light.

Shadow play in the classroom, using a light table or torches, is a great way to capture children’s attention and spark their imagination. We like testing trajectories and speed thinking critically and experimenting. We were exploring resonance, vibrations, sound.

Henry, aged 2

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Contact us today for more information about Hopes and Dreams and to discuss how we can support your child’s nursery education.

Please also contact us if you would like to book a tour of one of our nurseries, where you can see for yourself how our early-years philosophy translates into the real-world of our central London settings.

Cooper, aged 2

Oscar, aged 2

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Upon leaving Hopes and Dreams, many of our children move a short walk away to our partner school, The Lyceum.

NEXT steps...

Our preschool programmes ensure every child gets the best start to their future educational journey.

When moving up to our preschool rooms, you will notice a slight change in emphasis towards school readiness, as we work with you to ensure your child is confident about their future education.

We work with Teachers in the local area’s best schools, to ensure your child’s transition from nursery to Reception and Key Stage 1 makes them feel excited and prepared for this crucial next step.

This stage in your child’s journey can be daunting - for them as well as you. Our strong links with local schools ensure that your child has the right support in advance of joining your chosen school.

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The Lyceum is a unique, co-educational independent school in the heart of the City of London (EC2) for children between the ages of 4-11.

Part of the Dukes Education family, it is a happy place where learning is rich, fulfilling and exciting.

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Dukes Club The Dukes Club connects families across all the Dukes Education nurseries, schools and colleges.

It is a space to learn, network, take advantage of exciting opportunities

“Dukes Education is a family of schools and educational services based in the UK. Our schools are distinctive in identity and style, yet united in offering outstanding teaching and learning, providing the strongest foundations for young people to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.”

Angel 339/341 City Road London EC1V 1LJ 020 7833 9388 (Option 1) angel@hopesanddreams.co.uk

Old Street 6 Paul Street, London EC2A 4JH 020 7833 9388 (Option 2) oldstreet@hopesanddreams.co.uk

www.hopesanddreams.co.uk

DISCOVER...

Rocket flying over Hopes and Dreams,

by Harry, age 3