Little Gems - first Montessori to be officially accredited abroad
Little Gems Montessori Nursery in Makedonitissa, Lefkosia, is the first school abroad to gain accreditation under the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation (MEAB) scheme, UK.
The scheme offers support and guidance to Montessori schools in order to ensure that Montessori provision is of a high quality. The scheme also seeks to reassure parents that their Montessori school meets all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, UK. The association with the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and the British Accreditation Council (BAC) ensures the process is independent with the necessary checks and balances in place.
After the scheme’s pilot session in the summer term of 2008 a further forty-six schools have been accredited in the autumn, spring and summer terms of 2008/09, of which Little Gems Montessori Nursery was one. These schools represented a variety of Montessori settings, and the assessors that visited Little Gems Montessori Nursery felt that it followed the Montessori ethos and was certainly worthy of accreditation.
Ms. Carola Lång-Howard, head of the school, said “We are absolutely delighted to gain the MEAB accreditation. My decision for going through with this scheme was purely because I have committed to deliver Montessori education to the children learning at Little Gems Montessori Nursery. Together with my staff we therefore agreed that - what better celebration of Little Gems commitment than the recognition of meeting the standards and criteria of a Montessori accrediting body? It is truly rewarding to be able to say that we are a genuine Montessori setting, who also meets UK standards.”
Little Gems Montessori Nursery have already received their accreditation certificate and MEAB logo on the website, and will be awarded a plaque to further celebrate their success — along with the other accredited schools — at an awards ceremony on Friday 4 December at the Institute of Education in London, UK.
Little Gems Montessori Nursery is based in Nicosia and provides for children between the ages of 2 – 6 years old.
For more info contact: littlegemsmontessori@gmail.com, Tel: 22 351 319 / 99 950 070, Visit: www.littlegemsmontessori.com
