Seine-et-Marne: “We have a lot of experience”… in this Montessori school, 10 years of alternative education

Originally from Montigny-sur-Loing (Seine-et-Marne)Camille Challier was not intended for teaching. Initially an urban planner, ten years ago she chose to retrain to create an alternative school: Félice, the small bilingual Montessori school, was born in Avon. “I wanted to turn to a profession where people were the priority,” she begins. A direction which, for her, left no doubt. “My mother was herself a Montessori educator,” continues Camille Challier, the creator, director and educator of the school. When I had my children, the issue of education became a priority. Montessori education was obvious to me. “

Félice the small bilingual Montessori school celebrates its 10th anniversary

Named a children’s house by its founder, the private school, approved by the national education system and operating in partnership with the municipality, respects the same programs as traditional nursery schools while adopting a different pedagogical approach, based on listening and autonomy. The establishment welcomes 25 children aged two and a half to six years in a single class, supervised by four educators.

Within its walls, “each child develops at their own pace thanks to activities adapted to their age and needs”. Children have specific educational materials, games, books and participate in numerous manual and outdoor activities, thanks in particular to access to an educational garden as well as a motor skills area.

In addition to its alternative educational approach, the establishment also stands out for its bilingual French-English teaching. Many students also come from binational or expatriate families. This “human-sized structure” attracts children from all over the south of Seine-et-Marne, where this type of school has only four establishments.

Open doors

After ten years of existence, the structure has grown and become more precise over the years. “We now have a lot of experience, we have refined our teaching methods, strengthened the relationship with nature, developed the international openness of the school but also the relationship between teachers and parents in order to establish a climate of trust,” explains the director. For the years to come, the team wishes to continue its development. “We would like to expand further to accommodate more children, whether younger or older. Why not have larger premises to be able to accommodate other classes,” confides Camille Challier.

The founder is launching an invitation to all parents curious to discover the Montessori approach on April 11 from 9:30 a.m. with an open day including a conference on Montessori pedagogy. On June 20, a major anniversary celebration will also be held bringing together former students, families and the educational team to mark this decade of educational commitment.

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