Giocomotiva
Via Zocchi

Micro Nursery Opening Hours

Open Monday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 4.30 pm.

• Admission: 08.00 – 09.30
• First departure: 12.30
• Second departure: 3.00 pm
• Third session: 16.15 – 16.30

Nursery School Timetable

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

• Admission: from 08.00 to 09.30
• First screening: 3.00 pm
• Second session: 16.15 – 16.30
• After-school club 1: 4.30 pm – 5.30 pm
• After-school club 2 – Extra time: 17.30 – 18.30

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 Zocchi, Italian and English are part of everyday life right from the Micro Nido.

Nursery staff, teachers and English teachers use both languages in their interactions, during play, when reading, in songs and during project-based activities.

Children are thus exposed to English in real-life, meaningful situations and gradually develop their understanding of the language and their confidence in using it. English is not taught as a separate subject, but as part of everyday school life.

Outdoor Education

In Via Zocchi, spending time outdoors is part of everyday life. The garden, the neighbourhood and the nearby green spaces offer opportunities to get out and about, observe changes, collect natural materials and experience the world first-hand.

Once a week, the children also take part in activities in the educational gardens on Via Siderno, where they can observe the plants as they grow over time, look after them and discover, through hands-on experience, the rhythms and changes of nature.

For the children at the Nursery School, from October to May, the school moves out into the countryside once a week: a day out at Boscoincittà or Cascina Carpana, travelled to by private coach together with the nursery staff and teachers. Here, the children have the time and space to explore, move about, spend time together and experience a growing sense of independence.

The rooms

We organise the spaces in the nursery and pre-school to provide children with opportunities for independence, social interaction, exploration and reassurance.

In the Micro Nido, children will find cosy corners, spaces for movement and areas dedicated to symbolic play. When the nursery school is engaged in outdoor activities, they can also use the hall and the psychomotor materials.

In the nursery school, the children spend their time in bright classrooms and communal areas where they encounter different languages, materials and groups.

In the garden, they play, have picnics, observe nature and tend to the vegetable patch.

In the workshop, children are introduced to a variety of materials, tools and techniques. They can explore, experiment and give shape to their thoughts through creative 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.

• Open Doors to Those Who Knock – informal get-togethers for parents
• Themed evenings – talks 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 trip for everyone: children, parents and teachers

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 meetings are held to review the child’s development; these provide valuable opportunities for educators and parents to exchange views.

Section meetings promote an understanding of ongoing projects and help parents to understand aspects of their children’s social development.