-        To take control of a child's natural senses and ability to learn.    

-        To provide a nurturing, language enriched, non-competitive learning environment.

-        The child develops his/her ability through exploration, touch and learning without fear.

-         To improve the child's confidence, self esteem, self discipline, independence 
and concentration while incorporating fun into learning.

-         To keep an open line of communication between parents and staff, informing 
either of changes or amendments to current structure or arrangements.

-         We promote a healthy lifestyle, educating children on food and exercise and 
using the outdoor facilities as much as possible.

-         Bright Sparks embraces all children and values their race, religion, language, 
disability, culture and class.

9.00am/ 12.30pm   Children arrive, hang their coats and bags up and bring their lunch to the fridge. Children are then encouraged to work with the Montessori materials from the shelves (practical life, sensorial, maths, language and culture)

The material is presented to the children on a one to one basis.  Once they are comfortable with the exercise they can work independently with the relevant material.  Play material is also available at this time e.g. jigsaws, puzzles, wooden farm, wooden zoo, dinosaur figures, play doh, shopping trolley, dressing up outfits and various other materials. There is also a quiet area / reading area where children can sit in an arm chair and go through a book without being disturbed.

10.35am/ 2.05pm    Tidy up and snack time:  Each child is encouraged to tidy their work up and put it back on the shelves. Children take turns in giving out the snacks from the fridge & parents are advised of the HSE healthy eating guidelines to ensure lunch boxes are kept as healthy as possible.

11.05am/ 2.35pm   Play time /Activity time: This time is used to do artwork, dancing, singing, group games or activities. Weather permitting the private garden will be used as much as possible and free play is encouraged.

11.35am/ 3.05pm     Circle time / Culture: Various themes will be focused on weekly e.g. Human body, animals around the world, land forms, planets, maps, countries and nature.  We then look at our magnetic calender, taking turns in changing and talking about the day, date, month, season and weather. 

11.55pm/ 3.25pm     Nursery rhymes, poems, story time and group news.

12.10pm/ 3.35pm    Ready for home: Children are taught how to put their own coats on, get their bags and any belongings ready, before lining up to go home