A school nestled between the countryside and the city
Giocomotiva Erta Canina is a Full English preschool that welcomes girls and boys aged 2 to 6 nestled amongst the green hills of Florence, just a stone’s throw from Piazzale Michelangelo.
The school is organised into sections and offers activities in Italian at the request of families. We support the children through the various stages of their development, with experiences that encourage social interaction, play, independence and exploration.
The garden and the olive grove become everyday places for play, exercise and discovery.
For lunch and snacks, we rely on Zenzero organic catering, which prepares meals specially designed for young children.
Our days
Preschool Opening Hours
The Preschool is open from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.30.
- Admission: 08.00 – 09.30
- First session: 4.00–4.30 pm
- Second session: 17.00–17.30
Settling in
Settling-in is the time when every child and every family begins to get to know the school and to build their confidence in the environment, the people there and the new daily routine.
It is an important step, which requires time and attention. We support them every step of the way, with our teachers on hand and with the flexibility that every family deserves.
The model we use is called Participatory Settling-in, as children and parents are very actively involved and take part in the school day right from the start.
How it works
- The first few days take place with the presence of a parent or a caregiver. The programme involves two days at the centre, and on the following days the children usually say goodbye to their parents for a few hours.
- We do not follow rigid routines or set timetables: every child has their own pace, and the settling-in process is built up day by day, as we listen to their cues and needs. When a child shows that they feel calm and secure, the time spent at the centre can be extended – even quite quickly – to a full day; in other cases, we proceed more gradually, respecting the child’s own pace and supporting them step by step towards full independence.
- The teachers support and guide the entire programme with experience and sensitivity.
Full English and Italian-English bilingualism
At Giocomotiva Erta Canina, English is part of everyday school life. Both classes follow a ‘Full English’ programme: the children experience the language during drop-off, play, daily routines, workshops and their interactions with the teachers. At the request of families, the Italian-speaking teacher offers activities in Italian to the group of children who have opted for this choice.
Learning therefore stems from direct experience. English is not simply taught in isolated lessons, but becomes a language through which to communicate, explore, tell stories and spend time together.
The teaching team creates an environment in which English becomes a means of communication, discovery and building relationships.
Outdoor Education
The relationship with the outside world is at the heart of the educational programme. The children spend most of their time outdoors, exploring the garden and the olive grove and observing the changes in nature as the seasons change.
The teachers take them on outings in the neighbourhood, to markets, museums and other places around the city, encouraging curiosity, interaction and first-hand experience.
In this way, children can discover the world through their bodies, their curiosity and first-hand experience, learning to feel part of their environment and their community.
The rooms
We organise the spaces as settings for learning and social interaction, where children can build their knowledge through independence, movement, exploration and interaction with others. The garden and the olive grove provide further opportunities for play, physical activity and observing nature.
In the communal areas, the children meet other groups and are exposed to different languages. The children also take part in small- and large-group activities, always under the watchful eye of the teachers.
Children can move between areas dedicated to symbolic play, physical activity and creative experiences.
In the workshop, children encounter light tables, easels, clay, natural objects and materials to be transformed, enabling them to explore graphic, musical, physical, logical-mathematical and narrative forms of expression.
Together with families
Throughout the year, we organise family gatherings so that we can spend time together, exchange views, share experiences and support the children on their journey.
- Themed evenings – meetings with experts on topics of common interest
- Meetings with families – presentation and evaluation of the educational programme, and meetings to address any needs that arise
- Christmas and New Year celebrations – moments of shared joy
- May outing – an outdoor outing for everyone: children, parents and nursery staff
We involve parents in their children’s learning: dialogue with parents is available at any time of the year, on an individual basis, should the family require it or wish to discuss matters in greater depth.
In January and May, individual parent-teacher meetings are held, providing valuable opportunities for discussion between teachers and parents.
Meetings with families promote understanding of the projects currently underway and help parents to understand aspects of the social development of their children.
Preschool Opening Hours
The Preschool is open from Monday to Friday, from 08.00 to 17.30.
- Admission: 08.00 – 09.30
- First session: 4.00–4.30 pm
- Second session: 17.00–17.30
Settling in
Settling-in is the time when every child and every family begins to get to know the school and to build their confidence in the environment, the people there and the new daily routine.
It is an important step, which requires time and attention. We support them every step of the way, with our teachers on hand and with the flexibility that every family deserves.
The model we use is called Participatory Settling-in, as children and parents are very actively involved and take part in the school day right from the start.
How it works
- The first few days take place with the presence of a parent or a caregiver. The programme involves two days at the centre, and on the following days the children usually say goodbye to their parents for a few hours.
- We do not follow rigid routines or set timetables: every child has their own pace, and the settling-in process is built up day by day, as we listen to their cues and needs. When a child shows that they feel calm and secure, the time spent at the centre can be extended – even quite quickly – to a full day; in other cases, we proceed more gradually, respecting the child’s own pace and supporting them step by step towards full independence.
- The teachers support and guide the entire programme with experience and sensitivity.
Full English and Italian-English bilingualism
At Giocomotiva Erta Canina, English is part of everyday school life. Both classes follow a ‘Full English’ programme: the children experience the language during drop-off, play, daily routines, workshops and their interactions with the teachers. At the request of families, the Italian-speaking teacher offers activities in Italian to the group of children who have opted for this choice.
Learning therefore stems from direct experience. English is not simply taught in isolated lessons, but becomes a language through which to communicate, explore, tell stories and spend time together.
The teaching team creates an environment in which English becomes a means of communication, discovery and building relationships.
Outdoor Education
The relationship with the outside world is at the heart of the educational programme. The children spend most of their time outdoors, exploring the garden and the olive grove and observing the changes in nature as the seasons change.
The teachers take them on outings in the neighbourhood, to markets, museums and other places around the city, encouraging curiosity, interaction and first-hand experience.
In this way, children can discover the world through their bodies, their curiosity and first-hand experience, learning to feel part of their environment and their community.
The rooms
We organise the spaces as settings for learning and social interaction, where children can build their knowledge through independence, movement, exploration and interaction with others. The garden and the olive grove provide further opportunities for play, physical activity and observing nature.
In the communal areas, the children meet other groups and are exposed to different languages. The children also take part in small- and large-group activities, always under the watchful eye of the teachers.
Children can move between areas dedicated to symbolic play, physical activity and creative experiences.
In the workshop, children encounter light tables, easels, clay, natural objects and materials to be transformed, enabling them to explore graphic, musical, physical, logical-mathematical and narrative forms of expression.
Together with families
Throughout the year, we organise family gatherings so that we can spend time together, exchange views, share experiences and support the children on their journey.
- Themed evenings – meetings with experts on topics of common interest
- Meetings with families – presentation and evaluation of the educational programme, and meetings to address any needs that arise
- Christmas and New Year celebrations – moments of shared joy
- May outing – an outdoor outing for everyone: children, parents and nursery staff
We involve parents in their children’s learning: dialogue with parents is available at any time of the year, on an individual basis, should the family require it or wish to discuss matters in greater depth.
In January and May, individual parent-teacher meetings are held, providing valuable opportunities for discussion between teachers and parents.
Meetings with families promote understanding of the projects currently underway and help parents to understand aspects of the social development of their children.
Explore & Become
Even after school hours, there are still opportunities for play, physical activity and discovery.
Explore & Become offers courses and extra-curricular activities led by professionals with experience in early childhood education, held directly on the school premises. Every year, we expand the range of activities on offer to meet the needs of all families.
WHERE WE ARE
English Preschool
Via dell’Erta Canina 19, 50125 Florence
Tel: +39 055 677567
Email: segreteria@lagiocomotiva.it
How to find us
La Giocomotiva Erta Canina is situated in the Florentine hills, just a stone’s throw from Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Bus 12
- Bus 13
- Bus 38
DISCOVER BECOMING EDUCATION’S OTHER LOCATIONS
Giocomotiva and Becoming Education’s nurseries and pre-schools are located in Florence and Scandicci – find the ones nearest to you.
start your journey with us
Come and discover the Erta Canina Giocomotiva: book a visit or request further information. We look forward to seeing you.