Starting the nursery - Mini Klub

E. started nursery in September (at the age of 27 months), but I haven't had the time to finish a review on this issue. Here it comes:

Hello, this is my first day in nursery

We decided on a private nursery as opposed to a state one because of our bilingual journey. This option puts a greater financial burden on our family in the long run but hopefully it'll be worth it.

Mini Klub is a bilingual nursery. There are two nursery teachers who speak Hungarian to the kids and one who speaks English only all day long. Although the English speaking nursery teacher is a native Hungarian, we are lucky enough, as her English is on a high level and her pronunciation is native-like. She is also a dedicated teacher and prepares a lot to entertain and "teach" the kids English.

We first met her (Ms. B.) in August before the official start when every week in the afternoon we visited the nursery's playground. E. could meet all the children and nursery teachers.

Ms. B. played with E. in the sand pit and I also had a chance to chat with her a little about the routines and English usage in the nursery. I made it clear to her that the reason why we come to this nursery is because of E.'s bilingualism.

After almost three months now, Ms. B. hasn't been talking to E. in Hungarian at all, although in some emergency situations Ms. B. needs to talk in Hungarian to other kids. Another relevant point is E. likes her a lot. (So much that in October we had several evenings when I had to play Ms. B.'s role during bath time at home.)

On the first official nursery day they hit it off. (sorry about the quality of the photos, most of them were taken secretly)

Exploring the nursery garden with Ms B.

The first few days and weeks went without any problem. I guess I was more worried and nervous about the transition than she was. Evidently, she enjoys playing there, loves the teachers and some of the kids, too.

On the first day with Ms. L. - 

Of course, we couldn't avoid the initial illnesses, which gave me more possibility to increase the English time (at home).

Look, Daddy this is my box. My sign's on it.

There are quite a lot of educational activities every single day (crafts, learning shapes, colours, rhymes and songs, circle games, story time etc.) on the basis of the Montessori Method that keep them busy and occupied.

Weekly routine:

Every day:

• doing exercise
• developing movements

Monday:

• shapes, colours
• feeling by touching
• concentration
• improving perceptibility
• numbers 1-10

Tuesday:

• communication
• rhymes and story telling
• learning verses and poems

Wednesday

• circle games
• songs
• auditory development
• developing rhythm and a sense of music

Thursday

• fine motor skills
• arts and crafts
• modelling clay, painting, gluing, threading etc.

 Friday

• love of nature
• exploring our environment
• plants and animals

Until the end of October every Tuesday the kids went pony-riding in the other premises of the nursery (Duna Ovi). From the middle of November (next week) they are starting ice-skating. E. just can't wait. I hope she'll like it. I'm not sure if she has understood what ice-skating means exactly.

The nursery also has a daily routine:

7.30-8.45 arrivals, free play time

8.45-9.00 doing exercise

9.00-9.05 changing nappies or toilet time

9.05-9.30 breakfast, teeth brushing

9.30-10.15 educational sessions (20 mins in English, 20 mins in Hungarian)

10.15-10.30 snack time (fruit, vegetables)

10.30-11.30 playtime in the playground (depending on weather conditions)

11.30-11.40 toilet time

11.40-12.15 lunch time

12.15-14.30 quiet time, sleepy time

14.30-15.15 waking up period, snack time

15.15-15.45 educational session (15 mins in English, 15 mins in Hungarian)

15.45 - free play time, departure

Food: healthy and varied (Daddy asked me one day looking at E.'s weekly menu  if he himself could sign up for lunch at the nursery ;) - we receive the menu every week. 

Educational sessions:

• crafts

Look, that's my horse

• preparing for special occasions like grape harvest festival, Halloween, Santa Claus day (Dec 6) or Christmas

• I have a video about the educational session in English (and in Hungarian), but E. was ill and didn't take part. What's more, I should ask the nursery for permission to put the video up on my blog. So it might come later on.

-----o-----o-----o------o------o-------o------ Permission received----o-----o

Play time - if it doesn't rain cats and dogs they go out to the playground for at least an hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon.

All in all, I am more than satisfied with this nursery and the English language input E. has been experiencing there. She plays a lot with Ms. B. and sometimes when I go to pick her up she tells me that we are in English. Every now and then, Ms. B. comes to the same direction as we do on the way home and we chat in English. E. has already made friends with another English speaking kindergarten teacher (Mrs. M.). She asked her the time in English (as I went to pick her up a little later that day).

I hope everything will go on like this in the future. My expectations were high but this nursery managed to meet them. If you have any questions about daily life in Mini Klub, just feel free to contact me.