As a small happy family school, we provide a warm, welcoming, supportive, caring, stimulating and secure environment where children get equal opportunities to develop and learn, in a way and pace appropriate to them as individuals. We welcome children for Early Years (1.5 to 5 years) and Junior School Yr 1-Yr 8 (5 to 13 years). Vision: Where children love to learn and learn to love
To provide a high quality and affordable international education based on Montessori principles that meet the requirements set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS) and the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Mission: Where children laugh, play and learn
Kipepeo will be distinguished as an Inclusive International Montessori Learning Centre. We regularly review the curriculum to ensure it meets our children’s needs, maintain strong parental and community engagement, and uphold a value based learning environment. Motto: Curious minds, brave hearts
Our values guide our choices and reflect the special nature of Kipepeo:
- A lifelong love of learning
- Respect of self, others and the
environment
- Freedom balanced with responsibility
- Creativity and individuality
- Honesty and humility
- Embracing diversity and peace
Early Years Curriculum: How your child will be learning
Your child will follow the EYFS delivered using good Montessori practice. This framework specifies learning and development as well as welfare and assessment requirements. It sets high expectations in the 7 areas of learning and development. Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:
1. Communication and language;
2. Physical development; and
3. Personal, social and emotional development. As they grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:
4. Literacy;
5. Mathematics;
6. Understanding the world; and
7. Expressive arts and design. These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning activities and aim to develop the whole child and to place the foundation for a happy, confident, well-adjusted, independent and educated individual. Your child will be encouraged to explore, question, reason and communicate – also to express ideas and feelings through music, drama and imaginary play. Our school day is rigorous and engaging so we discourage private tuition and pedantic homework. In Reception your child will gradually enjoy more structured activities to extend his/her understanding in preparation for transition to Junior School. Montessori education places emphasis on learning through well-structured and purposeful play, developing not only future academic potential but also the equally important emotional and social skills of the child. It gives children the tools for positive social interactions, independence and confidence. Children are able to work with a wide range of Montessori materials as well as more general early childhood activities, such as painting, puzzles, and blocks. These enable children to make smooth transitions to Junior School and other social and academic situations they will encounter later in life. As the optimal introduction to learning and holistic preparation for life, Montessori enjoys international recognition for being current, innovative and relevant to the lives of children and their families. Preparatory School: Year 1 (6-7), Year 2 (7-8), Year 3 (8-9), Year 4 (9-10), Year 5 (10-11), Year 6 (11-12), Year 7 (12-13) and Year 8 (13-14). At the Preparatory School, we extend the principles of social, intellectual and cognitive skills developed within the Montessori environment of our Early Years Foundation Stage to nurture the child’s ability to understand and make use of abstract concepts. Our Junior School follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales with reference to attainment targets and key stages. Learning is progressively project based with children working in small groups or independently. This increases independence and freedom to develop within a structured and comprehensive curriculum. Children develop more concentration and thoroughness as they begin to explore the sciences, the arts, culture and the wider world around them. Our Montessori classrooms promote a peaceful work environment where well developed social skills and respect for others ensures that discipline is rarely a challenge. We place emphasis on the inter-related nature of the various subjects taught. Traditional subjects are complemented by computer sciences and design and technology to reflect the rapidly changing world and pupils are encouraged to do further research in class and on individual projects. Patterns of learning developed in this stage of childhood produce confident and competent learning in later years. Extra-curricular activities: We offer a broad range of activities to foster learning, nurture talent and make school enjoyable e.g. Swimming, Art & Crafts, Cookery, Games, Sports & Martial Arts, Nature Club, Music and Instruments; piano, guitar, recorder among others. We also organise at least one excursion each term. Children are the centre of everything we do. Each Kipepeo child:
- Is valued as a unique individual,
- Develops and learns in different ways
and at different rates;
- Learns order, coordination,
concentration and independence;
- Learns to self-correct, assess and direct
their learning;
- Enjoys the freedom to manage their time
responsibly;
- Interacts with peers and staff who value
the importance of learning through play;
- Participates in planned group sessions
e.g. music, games, songs, language,
literacy, numeracy and puppet theatre;
- Has time for self-selected and
uninterrupted experiences;
- Is supported to become an active seeker
of knowledge; and
- Exercises curiosity, courage and quiet
reflection. A close and caring community: to belong, to be, to become
Our staff is well informed and are sensitive observers who prepare rich, challenging, motivating and fun indoor and outdoor learning environments for children to belong, actively support their play and exploration and lead to creative thinking. Our team is constantly updating their knowledge and skills and is committed to nurturing every child. We run small class sizes and are committed to making sure every child enjoys the individual attention necessary for them to achieve full potential. Encouragement versus Evaluation and Praise
To become themselves, children need to be free from the pressure of evaluative praise. Self-esteem, self-direction and self-discipline rely on inner motivation and self-evaluation. At Kipepeo we celebrate and acknowledge the child’s effort without it being a value judgement; we encourage children, but leave the actual evaluation to the child. This way we avoid the risk of our children relying on outside approval more than trusting their own evaluation. Food and Drinks is serious business at Kipepeo. We offer a varied and balanced diet and the water we use is free from fluoride and bacteria. We do not allow children to carry snacks to school as this interferes with participation in school snack and lunch time, may create unhealthy eating habits and competition among children; other parents might not agree with the choice of snack and some children might have allergies. Parent-Teacher Association: We foster strong respectful partnerships with all families, as we work collaboratively in active parent-teacher forums to provide an inclusive, play based, quality teaching and learning environment. Together we can ensure that our children achieve these expected Learning Outcomes:
- Have a strong sense of identity;
- Are connected with and contribute to
their world;
- Have a strong sense of well-being; and
- Are confident and involved learners. Special Education Needs (SEN)
Kipepeo is on course to become a fully inclusive school; where children and families with Special Education Needs can access appropriate support services. Contact details:
KIPEPEO FOUNDATION
Maragoli Avenue, Milimani, Nakuru
P.O. Box 16685-20100 Nakuru
Phone: 0740 000 111
Head Teacher: 0740 000 333
Facebook: /kipepeoschool
