Nursery schools represent educational services dedicated to children between 4 months and 3 years of age, and to their families. The priority of nursery schools is the wellbeing of children, who “...have a right to a growth path that’s respectful of their identity, their needs, their time”. (Pedagogic Project of the 0/6 Unione Terre d’Argine Services)
Children, even very young ones, are active and capable of developing significant relations and to improve their knowledge base. For this reason, municipal nursery schools are places designed and organised to favour exploration and autonomy, and to foster relationships. By listening to and observing the children within their relational dynamics, as well as their interests and curiosities, educators are able to best develop their educational plan. Welcoming spaces, different natural and freely available playing materials encourage discovery and sensory and constructive experiences that stimulate processes of learning and sociability.
The nursery school builds an educational alliance with families that starts with the daily exchange of mutual experiences and information, and nurtures itself over time through discussion and participation, to stand beside them in support of the parenting role.

Calendar and schedules

Nursery schools are open 5 days a week from Monday to Friday, usually from September to June. They are open from 09:00 to 16:00 with the possibility of early entrance (from 07:30) and late dismissal (until 18:15), in certain crèches and in accordance with regulations. Part-time sections and attendances can be arranged.

Organisation

To enroll in a nursery school, the admission form must be filled out in the periods scheduled annually by the Unione Terre d’Argine.

Settling in stage

The beginning of the nursery school experience of every child starts with a period of gradual settling in, as agreed upon by family and teachers. This relaxed timeframe allows everybody – children, families and educators – to get to know each other and to build a trusting relationship that will later facilitate a calm and conscious separation.
The Unione Terre d’Argine territory includes municipal nursery schools managed directly by the UTdA administration, as well as affiliated private nursery schools, one private nursery school and one Children Space. In our Region, nursery schools and 0-3 years preschool services must abide by the regulations explicated in Regional Law n. 19/2016 and in the Regional Disposition n. 1564/2017, which defines their features and their structural, organisational and working requirements.