The French « maternelle » welcomes children from 2 and a half to 5 years old. It is the first cycle of school, with three years of schooling called the “petite section”, the “moyenne section” and the “grande section”. This is the first learning cycle, where children discover the world of school.

THE ROLE OF THE FRENCH « MATERNELLE »

The French « maternelle » is a school for growing, learning and succeeding together.

  • Children learn to become autonomous, to express themselves and to develop their creativity.
  • It is a caring school that relies on play, manipulation, discovery and exploration.
  • The child discovers the world of writing and begins to learn to read, write and count.

The environment is adapted with spaces and equipment designed for young children, school activities respectful of the child’s rhythm, a serene environment where the child evolves in complete safety.

This preschool is an important step on the path to academic success. Its main mission is to accompany children in socialization, language, the pleasure of learning, the affirmation and development of their personality. They practice physical activities every day.

CURRICULUM

The French « maternelle » program implemented at EFEP is the one defined by the French Ministry of Education and is inspired by various pedagogical methods, including Montessori pedagogy.

The small number of students (up to 15) allows for a high quality individualized support. The French teacher has a diploma in the field of early childhood education. The educational assistant is also present throughout the day in the group to help the children in their daily activities.

An English teacher from Great Britain is present in the kindergarten class every Wednesday and Friday. Together with the French teacher, she implements the classroom activities. On Mondays and Thursdays, the Montenegrin language teacher conducts certain activities in the classroom with the French teacher.

A typical day in the unique French « maternelle »

Course of a day from Monday to Friday :

  • 8.20 Welcome pupils to the classroom
  • 8.50 Regroup and oral language
  • 9.00 am Directed workshops, Independent workshops
  • 9.50 am Staggered assembly
  • 10.00 am Recess
  • 10.30 am Motor skills
  • 11.00 am Storytelling, singing and rhyming
  • 11.30 am Lunch break
  • 12.30 pm Nap time for PS and MS
  • 13.00 Quiet time for the GS
  • 13.20 Workshop with the GS
  • 2.30 pm Wake up PS and MS, end of day regrouping
  • 2.45 pm End of class and extracurricular activities until 4 pm (except on Fridays)

The lessons are organized in five learning areas:

  • Mobilizing language in all its dimensions.
  • Acting, expressing oneself, understanding through physical activity.
  • Acting, expressing oneself, understanding through artistic activities.
  • Building the first tools for structuring one’s thoughts.
  • Explore the world.