Giocomotiva
Via Bisleri

Nursery Opening Hours

Open Monday to Friday, from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm.

• Reception: 08.00 – 09.30
• Last admission: 09.30
• First screening: 12.30 – 12.45
• Second session: 4.00 pm – 4.30 pm
• After-school club 1: 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm
• After-school club 2: 6.00 pm – 6.30 pm

You can choose a part-time study load. The minimum study load is 15 hours per week.

Specific time slots are available for families registered with the City of Milan.

Settling into nursery

The settling-in period is when each child and their family begin to get to know the nursery and build trust in the surroundings, the people there and the new daily routine.

It is an important step, which requires time and attention. The nursery staff guide children and parents step by step, observing how each child adapts to the new environment and tailoring the process to their individual needs. The model we adopt is Participatory Settling-in, which involves children and parents in the life of the nursery right from the start.

How it works

• The first few days take place with the presence of a parent or a caregiver. The programme involves three days spent together at the centre, taking part in the various activities throughout the day.
• In the days that follow, the children usually say goodbye to their parents for a few hours.
• There are no rigid rules; if the children are willing, they’ll be attending full-time within a few days. Conversely, the transition takes longer, depending on how the child responds.
• The nursery teachers welcome the children and guide them throughout their time here with experience and sensitivity.

Italian–English bilingualism

At Giocomotiva in Via Bisleri, Italian and English are part of the children’s daily lives from their very first months.

The English language is woven into relationships, moments of care, play, reading, songs and project-based activities. The children encounter it naturally and consistently, within real-life, meaningful situations.

Nursery teachers and English teachers work together to create an environment in which both languages become tools for communication, discovery and building relationships. English is not taught as a separate subject, but as part of everyday life at the nursery.

Outdoor Education

At nursery, the outdoor experience is first and foremost about the body, the senses and discovery.

The large, well-equipped garden on Via Bisleri is a space that is used all year round: here, the children can move about, play, observe nature and experience small changes and discoveries linked to the seasons. Activities can be planned directly outdoors, making the most of the environment’s features, natural elements and the changes observed throughout the seasons, or they can extend into the garden activities that began inside the nursery. Even some everyday moments, such as lunch and snack time, can be enjoyed outdoors, bringing the nursery’s educational environment into the garden as well.

The programme also extends to the area around the nursery, with short outings tailored to the children’s ages. Thanks to the Kiddybus, even the youngest children can take part in exploring the neighbourhood, discovering parks, streets, shops and other everyday places.

A way, one step at a time, to learn about their surroundings and begin to feel part of them.

The rooms

The spaces are designed to meet the needs for independence, movement, social interaction and exploration.

The youngest children find soft spaces and supports to help them with their first movements; as they grow, the spaces offer ever-changing opportunities to move, play, socialise, explore materials and build relationships.

The workshop is a space for learning, designed to encourage children’s exploration and to foster their various forms of expression. From a very early age, working with different materials gives them the opportunity to observe, touch, handle, transform and experiment, gradually developing new ways of expressing themselves, gaining knowledge and engaging with the world.

Together with families

Throughout the year, we organise family gatherings so that we can spend time together, discuss matters, share experiences and support the children on their journey.

• Participatory discussions – informal get-togethers for parents
• Themed evenings – talks with experts on topics related to child development and of interest to families
• Meetings with families – sessions dedicated to presenting and discussing the educational programme and the needs that arise during the year
• Christmas and New Year celebrations – opportunities to get together and enjoy school life as a community
• May Outing – an outdoor excursion with children, families and educators

We maintain an ongoing dialogue with families throughout the year. You can always request an individual meeting whenever you feel the need to discuss or explore a particular aspect of your child’s progress.

In January and May, individual meetings are organised to review the child’s development and share observations between nursery staff and parents.

Section meetings enable families to find out about ongoing projects, gain a better understanding of the children’s experiences and discuss group life.