Giocomotiva
Via dal Re

Nursery Opening Hours

Open Monday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm.

• Before school: 07.30–08.00
• Reception: 08.00–09.30
• First screening: 12.30 – 12.45
• Second departure: 3.00 pm
• Third session: 4.00 pm – 4.30 pm
• After-school club 1: 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm
• After-school club 2 – Extra Time: 6.00 pm – 6.30 pm

You can choose a part-time study load. The minimum study load is 15 hours per week.

Specific time slots are available for families registered with the City of Milan.

After-school activities must be selected on a monthly basis and are available whilst the service is running.

Settling into nursery

The settling-in period is when each child and their family begin to get to know the nursery and build trust in the surroundings, the people there and the new daily routine.

It is an important step, which requires time and attention. The nursery staff guide children and parents step by step, observing how each child adapts to the new environment and tailoring the process to their individual needs. The model we adopt is Participatory Settling-in, which involves children and parents in the life of the nursery right from the start.

How it works

• The first few days take place with the presence of a parent or a key adult. The programme involves three days spent together at the centre, taking part in the various activities throughout the day.
• In the days that follow, the children usually say goodbye to their parents for a few hours.
• There are no rigid rules; if the children are willing, they’ll be attending full-time within a few days. Conversely, the transition takes longer, depending on how the child responds.
• The nursery teachers welcome the children and guide them throughout the entire programme with experience and sensitivity.

Italian–English bilingualism

At Giocomotiva in Via Dal Re, Italian and English are part of the children’s daily lives from their very first months.

The English language is woven into relationships, moments of care, play, reading, songs and project-based activities. The children encounter it naturally and consistently, within real-life, meaningful situations.

Nursery teachers and English teachers work together to create an environment in which both languages become tools for communication, discovery and building relationships. English is not taught as a separate subject, but as part of everyday life at the nursery.

Outdoor Education

At nursery, the outdoor experience is first and foremost about the body, the senses and discovery.

The garden on Via Dal Re is a space that is used throughout the year: here, children can move about, play, observe the changes taking place and engage with natural elements through hands-on experience. During the warmer months, the outdoor space also provides an opportunity to enjoy water games and activities.

The programme also extends to the area around the nursery, through short outings in the neighbourhood and to nearby parks, tailored to the children’s ages.

A way, one step at a time, to learn about their surroundings and begin to feel part of them.

The settings and experiences

The spaces are designed to meet the needs for independence, movement, social interaction and exploration.

The large, light-filled open-plan space allows for the creation of different settings and for the space to be adapted to suit various experiences and projects. The more intimate areas, on the other hand, provide recognisable and reassuring environments for different groups.

During the morning, the educational programme is further enriched by activities led by specialist professionals, such as psychomotor activities and Soft Circus, which, through play and movement, enable children to explore their bodies, space and their relationships with others.

The infant section is separate from the areas for older children and offers a space designed specifically to meet the needs of the youngest children.

In the workshop, children are introduced to a variety of materials, tools and techniques, and can explore, experiment and give shape to their ideas through different forms of expression.

Together with families

We maintain an ongoing dialogue with families throughout the year. You can always request an individual meeting whenever you feel the need to discuss or explore a particular aspect of your child’s progress.