Aunty Nancy shaping the future

And what a success story with her “babies” as she refers to everyone of the children who from age two, whether potty trained or not, up to five when they graduate to kindergarten, have sat in the large, airy classroom, in the secure and gated surroundings of Children’s House.

Secure not only in the sense of the systems installed in the building but in the knowledge that they are all well and truly loved by Aunty Nancy as they forever call her, who greets them with a daily hug on arrival at the school and again when they leave on afternoons.

This woman’s love, thoughtfulness and caring ways know no bounds.

Recently when one of her long-past graduates was in intensive care for one month at age 19, Aunty Nancy called every morning and would often appear at the nursing home even when visitors were not allowed, with tears in her eyes, reiterating that this now nearly six-foot-tall young man “is one of my babies.” In very emotional moments as we spoke last week she said: “As I look back on my last 34 years I feel so blessed to have had such wonderful families become my Montessori family. I have had the privilege to be in contact with most of my babies who still call me their Aunty Nancy and speak of the beautiful memories from their years at Children’s House.

“I am proud when I see what my graduates accomplished. The majority are studying hard at universities.

One of the first graduates is now a medical doctor.

Another graduated last weekend from the Arthur Lok Jak Graduate School of Business with an International Master in Strategic Marketing.

And even more rewarding is that now I have at school a grandchild — Yes one of my “babies” is now a mother of a child at the school.

“What more can I ask for? God Bless my school and bless all those who pass through its doors today and always.” One of Elias’ proudest moments came some years ago after a Ministry of Education survey, when the inspector returned and said: “Miss Elias I had to come and tell you this is one of the best schools we have seen.” Also it has been told that one of the diplomatic missions judged Aunty Nancy’s among the best appointed.

Then there is the academic side where the children learn the basics while they are having fun using special Montessori materials made in Holland.

Elias, a graduate of The Montessori Education Centre of Portland Oregon said: “The materials play an important part in creating the environment and are specially divided into five sections: practical life, sensorial, language, math and expression.

Just one classroom because more than one and you lose the personal touch and contact you have with each child. There is only that much that one person can do.

“Each child is unique. Each child learns at his/her own pace. Besides academics you want the child to be self-confident so that they can walk into a room and say good morning without hiding behind their parents. They must be brave, young children.” A day at Children’s House is never dull or boring as the youngsters move from practical life where they learn how to eat with a spoon, pour liquid, use a zipper, tie a bow, button clothes and even close a safety pin; to the sensorial section to learn the differences in size, shape, length, sound, texture and the basics of algebra in the form of colourful puzzle cubes, and some geography with bright globes and maps.

In the expression section the child expresses him/herself creatively by finger painting, modelling clay and drawing. The math and language sections are just as elaborately and carefully equipped .

The extra activities are never left out as every festival including Halloween is creatively celebrated.

School outings include riding ponies and visits to places including properly supervised pool parties.

A very important factor is Elias’ acceptance of children with special needs.

“The true Montessori teacher,” she says, “cannot refuse a child with special needs because that was Dr Maria Montessori’s foundation.”