Our center

Mission statement

Kindergarten is not a place to drop off children while the parents are busy at work. It is a home away from home that children attend independent of other family members. Therefore, it is important that the kindergarten is a safe and caring space, and that its guiding philosophy reflects that of the childrens’ parents.

Educational aims

At P'titCREF, children are prepared for school in three national pre-school programs. They are taught in accordance with established standards and each child acquires the skills and knowledge necessary to enter primary school.

Friendly atmosphere

Respect for the child is essential to ensuring that the child develops holistically, i.e., physically, emotionally, and socially

Engagement

Children learn to be part of a team and develop a sense of belonging

Independence

We teach our students to think and make decisions independently and to use various strategies when problem-solving

Desire to learn

The child acquires a solid foundation of knowledge that awakens in them a desire to explore and learn new things.

Methodology

At P'titCREF, children don't just learn three languages, they study in three languages! All our teachers are native speakers and we do not use translators in the classroom.

Children from all over the world study at P'titCREF, and so your child is immersed in an international environment and absorbs different languages.

Neurobiological studies prove that up to 6 years of age, a child is able to naturally perceive different languages and acquire them like a native speaker. Therefore, even the youngest of our students has no difficulty learning two languages concurrently... or even three!

The method comprises
a thematic week-based format

(Ecology, Travel, Dinosaurs,
Fairy Tales, Science,
Professions, etc.),

with each language
apportioned a fixed
number of days for
effective learning:

Russian — 1

English—2

French — 2

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The curriculum at
P’titCREF satisfies several
national education standards:

Russia – “From Birth to School” (FGOS),

France – “Programme de l’education nationale française”,

UK – “Early Years Foundation Stage” (EYFS) and “The National Curriculum of England, Wales and Northern Ireland”.

Child development

A well-planned education program is key to ensuring that the child reaches their full potential. We have identified seven critical areas of development that best meet the needs of children while also stimulating their curiosity and desire to learn new things.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

At P'titCREF, we pay special attention to the child's socialization: we teach them to understand and control their emotions, and help them understand their role as students. Our children take their first steps into public life, building relationships with adults and making new friends. We have friendly staff that speak several languages.

ORAL INTERACTIONS

We are proud of the fact that our students are able to tell stories, share ideas and express their point of view in three languages. At our school, we develop their proficiency in multiple languages, boost their vocabulary knowledge and teach them to speak trilingually in a natural, fluent manner and without an accent.

LITERACY

One of the most fascinating processes for children is acquiring the ability to write. To make the process interesting and productive, we use a variety of writing tools, activities, and drawing strategies to help them produce their first written words. Through these fun activities, the child’s literacy skills take flight and remain with them throughout life.

MATHEMATICS

We introduce children to the magical world of mathematics: numbers and quantities, shapes and sizes. An early introduction to the exact sciences ensures that children develop a love of logical thinking and strategic analysis at an early age.

OUR WORLD

Children study both the immediate environment, i.e. the flora and fauna of the places they inhabit, as well as abstract scientific disciplines: they are introduced to history and geography, conduct scientific experiments, and acquire the basic skills necessary to use multimedia tools and technologies.

MOTOR SKILLS

An essential aspect of child development is the ability to understand one’s body and its capabilities. At our school, children develop their physical abilities, learn to exercise individually and in groups, acquire independence, grit, and determination, as well as the ability to accurately assess risks.

CREATIVITY

Childhood is the best time for creative self-expression! We introduce children to various creativity-boosting activities: drawing, sculpture, collage, painting, music, and theater – and help them discover their talents in the world of art. Students also learn about the history of art in the many cultures linked to the languages taught at school.

A WELL-CONCEIVED PROGRAM

PEDAGOGICAL RESOURCES

P'titCREF has developed exclusive pedagogical resources that can only be found at our schools.

High-quality materials include interactive magnetic whiteboards, original notebooks designed in accordance with our custom programs, and so much more.

We are constantly working to improve our pedagogical materials, taking into account the latest advancements in the fields of pedagogy and neuroscience.

CAMPUS

We want children to feel at home when at school. Therefore, our classrooms and recreation facilities are not only functional and safe but also cozy, bright and warm. We have created a campus that children want to return to every morning!

ENTRANCE HALL

Entering P'titCREF, the child already starts feeling at home: the school is cozy, comfortable, spacious, and the child has his or her own personal locker for personal belongings.

PLAYROOM

Our game rooms are spacious and equipped with everything necessary for children to relax, play and work independently.

CLASSROOMS

P'titCREF's multifunctional classrooms offer children a wide range of opportunities for social interaction and active participation in the learning process.

RESTING AREA

Comfortable and well-insulated from noise, the dormitory is where children can relax in peace and quiet.

CAFETERIA

A bright and spacious room where children have breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Here, they learn to behave at the table, make new friends and re-engergize.

PLAYGROUNG

Going for a walk is one of the most fun events of the day, and it takes place in safe areas where every child can find something to do.

Our groups

At the age of 2-3 years, it is important to help the child adapt to society, learn to communicate and make friends. Therefore, in the TODDLERS group, teachers pay special attention to the child’ safety, comfort and socialization. Children can attend the group for half a day or for the whole day.

For some children, the JUNIOR group serves as their first introduction to kindergarten, whereas for others, it is a continuation of their learning after having attended the TODDLERS group. When placing children into their groups, we take into account what makes each child unique, ensure that each child feels comfortable, and prepare children for the responsibilities that come with being students.

This period is characterized by children’s ability to display heightened creativity, although there is also a need to help them think systematically and analytically in preparation for starting school. This is an interesting albeit challenging task for teachers! They evaluate the child’s abilities and recommend individual pathways to development.

School starts next year! Small group classes provide an individual approach to each child during what will be an important transition year, and our additional private lessons (see "P'titCREF Club") help prepare children for primary school entrance exams.

FAQ

Mary, the mother of 3-year-old Peter: “Peter often doesn’t like it when I speak another language, he tells me, “Mum, speak Russian to me.”

In this case, the child is not refusing to speak the second language. As already mentioned, the child associates the language with a specific person on an emotional level. For him, the fact that his mother speaks different language is not understood, this is not his mother’s language.

The child’s learning process is still in the early, primitive stages; at this stage we have no choice but to associate a language a specific person.

P’titCREF psychologist opinion

Zoe, who is four years old and comes from a Russian-French bilingual family, says, “I joue (joue is French for play).”

Mixing languages – this is quite normal process and does not indicate a problem. The child (as well as an adult, speaking 2 or 3 foreign languages) has a variety of linguistic “tools.” So he spontaneously chooses the “tool”, which is the easiest one to use.

The child will gradually “unscramble it” and will no longer mix languages. Under normal circumstances, any child can successfully learn two (or three) languages and two (or three) cultures. Difficulties may arise only because of the immediate cause of bilingualism, or learning a foreign language.

In this case, the role of the teacher and our methodology will be decisive for the child as they pass on a new language and a new culture to the child . A good teacher and interesting classes organized in a playfull way (a joint celebration of traditional holidays of the country of the studied language, the country’s games, etc.) will prompt a child’s desire to speak the language, go to the country and to learn more about it

P’titCREF psychologist opinion

Our center

Kindergarten

P’titCREF Club