How long has Ella been attending Blue House?
Ella started at Blue House just after her 2nd birthday in October 2013.
What were the most important or deciding factors when selecting your preferred School?
I wanted to find a place that had a very nurturing environment and was not too ‘school’ focused in the traditional academic sense. She is still very little so I also wanted a place that felt fun and safe where she could explore and use her imagination, where she could still learn but in an age-appropriate way.
How has Blue House International lived up to your expectations?
Blue House have met and exceeded my expectations because Ella is happy and thriving there. She is about to start the new year with new teachers, and I’m sure it will go as well as her first year did. On the days Ella is not in school, she asks to go, and she talks about her teachers all the time.
What does your child like most about attending Blue House?
Ella loves her teachers, and she also really enjoys all the amazing things they do each day. The teachers come up with very imaginative and challenging activities that really engage the children. They learn concepts and ideas without even realizing it.
Can you share with us a bit about the curriculum that Blue House offers?
Blue House practices the Reggio Emilia approach. In my understanding, this philosophy nurtures children to be capable and curious. Children take the lead, to a certain degree, and teachers guide the learning around the interests of the kids. For me, that is the perfect approach when talking about 2-4 year olds.
What (if any) extra-curricular activities do your children participate in?
Ella doesn’t participate in any extra curricular activities at school. The school itself is like one big excursion or adventure every day.
What advice would you give other parents looking for a school?
Go with your gut. I saw about 5 different schools before deciding. As soon as I walked in and was greeted at Blue House, I knew it was the right place.
What do you value most about Blue House?
The teachers and staff at Blue House treat the children with love and respect. The children are taught to be capable and independent, but in an environment that is caring and warm – a rare mix.
How is the communication between Blue House and you as the parent? Do you get meaningful information on what is happening in the class room?
This is where Blue House really exceed my expectations. Each child has a journal with all their activities, artwork, photos and quotes detailed in it so you can review it and see what your child is doing. In addition to this, the teachers take photos and write about the class activities and upload to the school’s private intranet every day. It’s a huge amount of work, but very much appreciated in order to see what your child is doing when they are away from you. The staff at Blue House also welcome parents to chat to them anytime.
Thanks Kirsten!