We’re also told that they’re bringing their award-winning Blue House approach to childcare in the East, with more locations to be announced next year!
Blue House Nursery & International Preschool was recently recognised as the gold winner for the Best Reggio Emilia-inspired School at the Singapore Education Awards 2021 – an achievement which proves that this unique and inspiring preschool stays true to the renowned educational approach!
So what is the Reggio Emilia approach?
The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy that acknowledges the child as an individual who is capable of learning and full of potential. An emergent curriculum is co-designed amongst a community of learners which include other children and the teachers as facilitators. Children are encouraged to express themselves in as many ways as is available to them through all forms of creative languages.
The role of a teacher here is also different from the traditional one. Instead of “teaching”, a Reggio Emilia-inspired educator works with each child to support them on their learning journey. There is an emphasis on listening to each child, understanding their questions and the line of inquiry and discovery, then guiding them and supporting them as they embark on projects to find answers to their questions.
It’s also worth noting that the environment plays an important role in this teaching approach. Often referred to as “the third teacher”, a child’s learning environment should be welcoming, engaging, as well as filled with intentional and authentic materials that invite the child to discover the power of investigation and theory testing.
Why is Blue House the best Reggio-inspired school?
At Blue House, projects unfold as children embark on research and investigation of concepts, skills and phenomena that span and invite interdisciplinary learning. The unhurried programme schedule is flexible and takes into account children’s plans and decisions. Classrooms are designed in collaboration with the children who are citizens of the school and the learning environment. As such, they have a right to share their thoughts on what the classroom holds for them each day.
Instead of prescribing fixed lessons, Blue House’s educators understand the need and desire for children to explore and learn from their surroundings. The educators act as co-learners while supporting them with questions and thoughts to frame the process of inquiry, as well as encouraging children to express what they know through their preferred ‘language’: be it words, visual art, or even via technology.
The award-winning school features specially curated spaces, this includes:
- The Atelier, a space for poetic and artistic expression
- A Karung Guni room for recyclables and interesting artifacts
- A Piazza that acts as the central meeting space for all in the community
- Luscious outdoor spaces where children can encounter natural elements, undertake science experiments, delve into messy art explorations using different mediums, enjoy role play in a mud kitchen that becomes a cafe or just sit and read a book with a friend in a shady spot.
A wide range of open-ended, natural and recycled materials are also made available to them in these spaces, allowing for endless ways to pursue new ideas, test different theories, problem solve and research what matters to them.
As the Best Reggio Emilia-inspired School category seeks to recognise a school that best embodies the approach, it’s fair to say that Blue House Nursery & International Preschool truly deserves this win!
Heads up, East-siders!
Eastie parents who are interested in enrolling their children in a Reggio Emilia-inspired childcare, with a strong bilingual programme, and looking for year-round, full day care will be happy to know that Blue House has opened a new childcare centre in the East Coast! Blue House Childcare was born out of the desire to bring the image of the child as capable, curious, and full of creativity to childcare in Singapore and respond to a strong demand by families for a centre in the East. Childcare, the Blue House way, is a place where children can be themselves and feel empowered to explore while parents can rest easy with the highest standards of responsive care available.
You can learn more about Blue House’s approach and even schedule a visit to their new childcare centre via the website.
Congratulations again to Blue House Nursery & International Preschool!
This post is in partnership with Blue House Nursery & International Preschool