Thomas's Kindergartens

Thomas's Kindergarten, Battersea, and Thomas's Kindergarten, Pimlico

Aim:
The aim of the Kindergartens is to nurture the children's desire to learn, experiment, play and to gain independence. The curriculum is designed to foster the emotional, physical, social, intellectual and creative development of each child.

Miss Tamara Spierenburg, HBO – Headmistress of Thomas’s Kindergarten, Pimlico

Tamara graduated with a teaching degree in history from the University of Amsterdam in 2000 and subsequently taught history at secondary level in Holland. She moved to Australia in 2001, where she worked as a Nursery Teacher before returning to Amsterdam in 2002 to take up a position as a Recruitment Consultant. She arrived in England in October 2002 and joined us from her post as a Nursery School Teacher and Health and Safety Co-ordinator at Pippa Poppins Nursery School. Tamara, who speaks four languages, became Headmistress of Thomas’s Kindergarten, Pimlico in August 2004, and is supported by her Deputy Head and seven qualified staff. Tamara gave birth to her first child in March 2008.

Thomas's Kindergarten, Pimlico Additional Pictures
Location
Ofsted Inspection Report - 17/11/2009

Miss Sophie Bignold - Headmistress at Thomas's Kindergarten, Battersea

Sophie was educated at James Allen's Girls School, she gained her Montessori Nursery Foundation Teaching Diploma and NNEB Diploma in 1994. She worked at the Crescent Kindergarten before joining Thomas's Kindergarten Battersea in 1999.

Sophie was appointed Deputy Head in April 2000 and Headmistress in September 2008. She is supported by seven qualified staff.

Thomas's Kindergarten, Battersea Additional Pictures
Location
Ofsted Inspection Report - 09/12/2010 - PDF / Ofsted Website

Curriculum

The structure of the curriculum enables the children to learn freely and to choose their own pursuits within clearly defined limits. They are encouraged to use all the materials available: pencils, crayon, paint, dough, clay, sand and water; story and poetry books from the Library Corner; toys in the Home Corner and other toys which encourage motor co-ordination and concentration skills. Montessori equipment is used to develop muscular control and language and number skills. Group times occur regularly throughout the Kindergarten day, giving children the opportunity to listen to others and to express their own ideas. Children are allocated to a key teacher and divided by age into groups of approximately eight. During their first year at the Kindergarten children attend three mornings a week. In their second year this is increased to five mornings and they are welcome to join afternoon club activities.

Afternoon Club Activities

The activity sessions run from 12.30 to 15:00. Children bring a packed lunch and specialist teachers teach the classes. The subjects include Computers, Drama, Music and Movement, Sport and Ballet.

Events and Activities

Each year the children are encouraged to act in a Nativity play at Christmas. In the Lent term, a sponsored event is held for charity. A Sports Day is held in the Summer term followed by a family picnic, a Summer Concert is also held.

Daily Timetable   Thomas's Kindergarten, Pimlico   Morning arrival time: 9.00am - 9.15 am Morning departure time: 12.00 noon Afternoon Club Activity departure time: 3.00 pm Thomas's Kindergarten, Battersea Morning arrival time: 8.45am - 9.00 am Morning departure time: 11.45am - 12.00 noon Afternoon Club Activity departure time: 3.00 pm

Uniform

One red smock. This is available form the Uniform Department, Peter Jones, Sloane Square SW3.

Registration and Entry

Children are registered for a place in the term in which they are two and a half years or three years old. It is expected that they will spend approximately two years at the Kindergarten before joining their preparatory school. The children from Thomas's Kindergartens are interviewed in exactly the same way as children from other kindergartens for entry into Thomas's Schools. Entry to the Kindergarten does not guarantee entry to the main schools, but it does guarantee an interview.