Nurseries in Barcelona
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What is the philosophy of Blossom?
Blossom’s education is based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which sees each child as the architect and constructor of his /her own knowledge, and we adults are their guides. Our activities and workshops are based on the children’s curiosities.
At Blossom we are also well aware that nowadays, languages are the key to opening doors into our futures; for this reason, we begin teaching English, Spanish and Catalan to the children during their earliest years, through linguistic immersion.
From what age until what age do you accept children?
4 months, to 6 years of age
What language is used in the main?
At Blossom, through our concept of the linguistic immersion (all languages throughout the whole day), we work with English, Spanish and Catalan all the time. The children are with a native English speaker and a native Catalan, who switch from Spanish to Catalan to each individual child, based on the families desires.
What is the teacher/child ratio in each class?
The maximum number of children per classroom varies by age groups, but the overall ratio would be one educator for every 9 children.
Is there flexibility in hours for daycare?
See Prices
Are there part-time options (days)?
See Prices
What type of food is offered to children?
At Blossom we believe in offering a balanced and varied diet, as well as teaching the children about how and what to eat. The children at Blossom are the creators of our vegetable garden, and they are in charge of its daily care as well. They learn where the food they eat comes from, to eat all kinds of foods and to respect the kitchen area.
It is important that they begin learning good table manners which will later determine their correct eating habits. At Blossom, the children learn to set their own table and to clean it up afterwards.
At Blossom, we apply the strictest quality standards in the purchasing, storaging and processing of food. We have our own kitchen, which is run by Sodexho, the multinational catering company. The raw materials are delivered daily, and everything is cooked ‘in situ’. Blossom respects the needs and desires of the families’; we adapt the individual meals to any needs due to allergies, intolerances or preferences of the families.
What kind of activities are available to children?
The days at Blossom are divided into 3 different types of activities: Environments, workshops and projects. All of these are programmed ahead of time, although adapted to the curiosities of the children.
Environments:
the environments are play zones situated in the classrooms. Each one consists of material and space which are created for a specific activity during the first period of the day.
Water environment
Flour, seeds and sand environment
Theatre, puppet, costume and makeup environment
Doll and kitchen environment
Construction environment
Light environment
Media environment
Music environment
Workshops:
The workshops take place during the second period of the day in specifically adapted areas, according to the activity. The children participate in the workshops for longer periods of time (an average of two workshops per school year) and the objectives are to create something for the school or the community. Examples include creating a vegetable garden, building cabins to play in, creating baskets or flowerpots.
Projects:
The projects take place during the last period of the day in the classrooms. The tutors of each group are responsible for the context and choose the topics based on the children’s personal interests. These projects tend to be more successful when they concern a topic which the children will have experienced in some way, either at the school or at home with the family. In many cases, the topics are based on nature: wind, sun, sky, shadows; but they are also often based on senses and feelings: friendship, love…
Do you need to live in Esplugues to send your child to Blossom?
It is not at all necessary; Blossom has children which live in areas such as: Sarrià, Barceloneta and Gavà. Blossom will also offer minibus services according to demand.
How does Blossom differ from other nurseries in Barcelona?
Multilingual environment through linguistic immersion
Native teachers
Teachers with studies in ‘Magisterio’ instead of ‘Técnico Superior’
A garden which is more than 1500 m2
A learning philosophy which is not well known in Catalunya, but very successful in Northern Italy, Southern France, Pamplona, the USA, and Nordic countries; and accreidted by the UNESCO
Healthy balanced meals cooked on the spot and delivered daily
Are parents allowed to come in to nursery classes if they like?
Parents are allowed to enter Blossom whenever they like, without previous notice. There are certain occasions during which we insist that parents come to the school, such as: every child goes through an adaptation process when starting at Blossom; we ask the parents to come with the children to school their first week (adaptation period depends on each individual child’s needs), and stay with them in the classroom. We also have various family parties throughout the year, during which we kindly ask the parents to take part in.
At what stage do you require parents to apply for a place for the following year?
The enrolment at Blossom is open all year round until the classrooms are full.
What are the fees?
For the 2007/2008 School year:
Enrolment
Free Registration
Monthly Fee
(Includes the insurance for civil responsibility, against accidents, and basic school material)
Food includes: morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack
Full day with food: 540 € (9:00 – 17:00)
Half day with food: 460 € (9:00 – 13:30)
Half day without food: 320 € (9:00 – 12:00)
Three full days with food: 460 € (9:00 – 17:00)
Three half days with food: 285 € (9:00 – 13:30)
Three half days without food: 220 € (9:00 – 12:00)
We also offer a discount for siblings of American School, BFIS and German School students.
