Ages 3 months to 18
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Discover us & the campus
Where confidence grows
What's happening
At our Nursery in Lisbon, children from 3 months to 3 years old begin their journey in a caring, safe and nurturing environment. With attentive teachers by their side, they enjoy a gentle transition from the comfort of home into school life, growing in confidence, developing independence and preparing for their next step.
Play-based learning
Spark curiosity by exploring the world. Through play-based and teacher-guided activities, children build the foundations for their next stage of learning.
Life skills
Develop early personal, social and emotional skills through Circle Time and the ISP Life Competencies wheel, a framework supported by the University of Cambridge.
Safe, happy learning
Grow up in a nurturing space, where robust safeguarding measures ensure a safe environment, instilling confidence in families as little ones grow and discover.
Experienced educators
Experienced educators ensure each child thrives in a supportive environment, guiding them to develop confidence, curiosity and build their first meaningful friendships.
Child-friendly spaces
Play, explore and learn in purpose-built spaces, including a playground, kid-sized classrooms, practical activity rooms and quiet areas.
Partnership with parents
Parents get a glimpse into their child's daily life thanks to a close relationship with our educators including graduation ceremonies that mark the end of the school year and celebrate first achievements.
Bilingual exploration
Embark on a bilingual journey into Portuguese and English in a fun way, through rhymes, songs, recitation of small phrases, tales and charming stories.
Extended care
Families with busy schedules benefit from our extended care options, running from 7.30am to 7.30pm. The service is included in the tuition fees.
Friendly admission process
Enrolments to our Nursery remain open year-round. Contact our Admissions team for personalised support.
Young children explore the world with curiosity through hands-on play, guided experiences and caring relationships, all within a safe, joyful environment designed to support their development.
Developing emotional intelligence
Toddlers and young children develop kindness and self-expression through play and meaningful interactions with adults and peers. As they begin to understand themselves, they learn to share their feelings, show care for others and explore the world around them in a safe, welcoming environment.
These early experiences help children build the confidence, trust and empathy they need to flourish.
Stimulating the mind
Children explore the world through joyful play and hands-on activities. They begin to discover new things, remember meaningful experiences and develop their first words.
Through a play-based approach and interactive experiences, children gradually strengthen their thinking and communication skills, building the confidence and curiosity to learn every day.
Interacting with the world
Up to 36 months, children begin to develop communication through simple words, songs, short stories and imaginative play.
They learn to express how they feel and what they need, discovering new words, listening to others and gaining confidence to communicate both verbally and non-verbally every day with their peers and teachers in a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment.
Enhancing wellbeing
Babies and toddlers develop their physical confidence and movement through joyful free play and guided activities. They discover the world as they explore outdoor spaces, dance, balance and run.
At the same time, they practise more precise movements through activities such as stacking blocks, pouring water or sand, mark-making with crayons and playing with age-appropriate toys.
Building solid foundations in language learning
Our younger students develop language through fun conversations, charming stories and cheerful songs. With these experiences, they hear new words, experience sounds and learn to show what they feel.
By listening, singing, and talking with adults and peers, they begin to create a secure foundation for communicating and interacting with others.
Fostering curiosity and exploration
Our youngest learners explore and discover the world around them through activities rich in sensory stimuli, arousing their curiosity and stimulating creativity.
By touching, smelling, seeing and hearing new things, they develop fundamental skills in early childhood, such as motor coordination and language, while enjoying playful and meaningful experiences that promote autonomy and a taste for learning.
Playing with sounds
Children explore sounds, rhythms and intonations through singing, movement and simple instruments. These musical activities help us to hear better, express what they feel and start to perceive musical patterns in a fun way.
By experimenting with melodies and beats, they develop coordination, language and auditory sensitivity, while strengthening emotional bonds and discovering the joy of creating and sharing music together.
At Colégio Monte Maior Early Years, every day is filled with hands-on learning, laughter and discovery.
Discover the activities and timetable in our Early Years setting.
Extended hours
7.30am - 8.30am
Children are welcomed in the morning care room.
Arrival
8.30am - 9am
Parents may take their children to their classrooms, where the other children are already with their teacher.
Morning activities
9am - 11.30am
Guided activities with sensory and emotional stimulation promote children’s wellbeing, communication and psychomotor development.
Lunch
11.30am - 12.30pm
A caring and comforting moment, with age-appropriate meals that respect each child’s rhythm in a calm, nurturing environment.
Playtime
2.30pm - 2pm
Time for safe, free exploration, where children discover textures, sounds and movement, stimulating curiosity and interaction.
Afternoon activities
2pm - 3.30pm
Play-based guided activities that stimulate the senses, language and motor skills through games, songs and adapted sensory experiences.
Snack time
3.30pm - 4pm
A warm, enjoyable pause with a balanced snack that encourages independence, social interaction and healthy eating habits.
School ends
4pm
Children are reunited with their parents and families and are ready to share about their amazing day.
During Nursery, our youngest learners explore the world with curiosity and create solid foundations for learning through purposeful play.
Academic achievement
Enjoy personalised learning that continuously enhances knowledge, skills and understanding.
Life competencies
Gain essential life skills to thrive inside and outside the classroom.
Multilingualism
Foster language skills and build confidence through playful exploration of English and Portuguese.
From the earliest years, children enjoy personalised learning experiences. Through guided play and exploration, from the age of 2 they develop pre-reading, early maths and problem-solving skills.
As they reach milestones such as recognising shapes and expanding their vocabulary, they build strong foundations in language, reasoning and fine motor skills, which are essential for future reading, writing and mathematics.
This stage culminates in a graduation celebration with families, including the presentation of gowns, diplomas and transition certificates, as well as a merit medal recognising each child’s progress and achievements.
In Nursery, children develop essential life skills in a playful, dynamic, and supportive learning environment. Through guided play, outdoor exploration, fun activities, and personalized learning experiences, they build curiosity, confidence, friendships, communication, cooperation, and personal, social, and emotional skills.
From an early age, they also strengthen cognitive, linguistic, and motor development, including vocabulary growth, shape recognition, fine motor control, pre-reading, pre-math, and problem-solving skills. By reaching age-appropriate milestones, children build strong foundations for reading, writing, mathematics, and future learning success.
From an early age, children explore Portuguese and English in a fun way, through rhymes, songs, recitation of small phrases, tales and charming stories. These experiences help us hear new sounds, recognize words, and start communicating.
By participating in these activities, children gradually develop pre-reading and pre-writing skills, while learning to understand and express themselves in both English and Portuguese.
At Colégio Monte Maior, we are delighted to welcome new Nursery families throughout the year. Our friendly team provides personalized guidance on the best time to start, helping each child settle into school life happily, confidently, and at their own pace.
It is wonderful to look back and see how much my daughter has grown and developed this year in the Nursery class. Seeing the joy with which she comes into school every day, and the smile on her face when we pick her up, gives us enormous peace of mind and the absolute certainty that she could not be in a better place.
Gonçalo e Daniela, Nursery Parents
The progress she has made at this stage is a direct reflection of all the love, dedication and professionalism with which she is cared for every day. Thank you so much for making this first stage such a beautiful and special experience.
Clubs, sports and opportunities
Our team
Preschool
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Spark curiosity through purposeful play in our safe and nurturing Nursery at Colégio Monte Maior.
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