Nursery

With love and security, I take the first steps in discovering myself and the World.

Nursery welcomes babies and children from 4 months to 3 years old, offering a safe, welcoming and enriching environment. This is one of the first experiences outside the family circle and our aim is to promote the well-being and integral development of each baby, in close collaboration with families.
We provide experiences that stimulate all senses, encouraging children to explore, discover and build healthy relationships with others and the world around them.

We believe that the first years of life are essential for future development. Therefore, our educational model is based on fundamental principles that guarantee balanced and harmonious growth.

Bonding

More than just providing basic care, we create strong emotional bonds and a safe environment, where each child feels welcomed and confident. A secure emotional base allows the child to develop in a balanced way, stimulating their abilities at all levels and preparing them for full learning.

Family and School

At Escola Ave Maria, we believe that the relationship between family and school is essential for children’s development. Parents are the first educators, and the school must be an ally in this process.

We keep our doors open, allowing moments of proximity in our daily lives. We also strengthen this relationship throughout the year through informal conversations; using the ChildDiary app for ongoing communication; holding individual and general meetings; organisation of parties and events.

Child Development

Each child is unique, with their own characteristics and rhythms. We develop individual plans to stimulate all areas of growth, allowing them to discover themself, others and the world around them.
In each classroom´s Pedagogical Project (Nursery, Micros and Minis), we work on fundamental areas of development, following key experiences and projects adapted to the school’s annual theme.

Our goal is to provide experiences that encourage autonomy, communication and discovery of the world, helping each child to take their first steps, explore and acquire new learning with safety and joy.

Preschool

We grow and develop together new skills and competence.

Preschool welcomes children from 3 years old until the beginning of primary school, being a strategic stage in their educational journey.

We follow the Curricular Guidelines for Early Childhood Education, and each teacher, together with the team, adapts the curriculum to the needs of each group. Each year, we choose a central theme that guides learning, helping children develop skills, competencies and explore the world around them.

Our educational model is based on four fundamental principles:

Progressive Autonomy

At Escola Ave Maria, we promote progressive autonomy from the early years of life, helping each child become responsible and confident in their journey. Teachers encourage self-esteem, self-confidence and the discovery of one’s own abilities. By encouraging communication and interaction with the group, each child learns to recognise their emotions and better understand their identity.

Individuality

We value the individuality of each child, respecting their pace and stimulating their development in a balanced way.

We support each student in discovering their own journey, promoting social, artistic, cognitive and motor skills. Through a playful and dynamic approach, we encourage curiosity and motivate learning, always with a positive attitude.

Family and School

We believe that Family is the pillar of education. Parents involvement and participation are essential to children’s inclusion, balance and success.

The Little Children and the Infant classrooms are open spaces, where parents can closely monitor the school routine. In the Preparation classrooms, children begin to develop greater autonomy. The close relationship between the School and the Family is established through the ChildDiary app; conversations with the teacher; individual and general meetings; events and parties.

Learn and Play

We believe that playing is essential in children’s development. More than just a fun activity, it is through play that intelligence, creativity and self-esteem are built. Playing promotes intellectual, moral and emotional development.

At our School, children play and learn actively, following an annual theme that guides learning experiences. The Preparation classroom creates a bridge between playful childhood learning and the acquisition of more structured knowledge. The introduction to reading and writing follows the Escola Ave Maria Method, making the discovery of words a dynamic and engaging process. Maths also begins through games that stimulate memory, reasoning and imagination.

Primary School

I discover, question and prepare myself to distinguish myself in the future.

In Primary School we promote the global and harmonious development of each student, enhancing their autonomy, creativity, responsibility and respect for others.

Through ongoing projects that explore children’s interests, skills and abilities, primary works on oral and written expression, logical-mathematical reasoning and critical reflection. We want to form conscious citizens, with values and attitudes, capable of questioning and understanding what surrounds them.

We go beyond the limits of essential learning, providing solid and in-depth training that allows students to excel in the future.

Primary School´s Goals

• Promote the global and balanced development of each student, helping them discover their interests, aptitudes and capabilities;
• Strengthen self-confidence, encouraging overcoming challenges and personal growth;
• Develop written and oral expressions, as well as logical-mathematical reasoning;
• Stimulate reflection, debate, cooperation and respect for others, promoting values such as friendship and solidarity;
• Enhance autonomy, creativity and responsibility;
• Develop the ability to research, select and process information;
• Develop values, attitudes and practices that contribute to conscious and active citizens in society;
• Raise awareness of musical and artistic expression;
• Support individual needs and identify early talents, ensuring inclusive and personalised teaching;
• Ensure adequate conditions for the full development of each child’s capabilities, in an inclusive and stimulating learning environment;
• Provide the acquisition of basic knowledge, attitudes and skills included in the Profile of Students Leaving Compulsory Schooling;
• Create conditions to promote academic and educational success;

Preparatory School

With support and dedication, we grow on an individual and emotional level.

The beginning of 5th Year is an important step in the academic life of children, who move from a single-teacher regime to a dynamic with several subjects, teachers and new responsibilities.

At Escola Ave Maria, we pay special attention to this moment, ensuring close monitoring to smooth adaptation.

In Preparatory school, in addition to promoting academic excellence, we support the individual and emotional growth of students, helping them to internalise universal, human and Christian values, balancing tradition and modernity, knowing and knowing how to do with knowing how to be and knowing how to behave.

Preparatory School Goals

• Acquire knowledge of a diverse nature and develop skills, through the promotion of different literacies;
• Encourage students to pursue academic life, leading them to solve problems and question the world around them;
• Develop critical awareness and a reflective spirit;
• Encourage creativity;
• Promote autonomy and responsibility;
• Encourage respect for others;