As a young girl, Nadin Elkhalil dreamed of teaching children in a joyful, nurturing environment that would provide the right tools to succeed through their school years and beyond.
Today, Nadin’s dream is a reality. Nadin founded and leads Langley’s Peregrine House School, which welcomes children from 2 ½ through 6 years, in a purpose-built, environmentally friendly classroom, offering authentic Montessori programming. Students learn everything from etiquette and collaboration skills to cursive writing and French through developmentally appropriate activities.
“We provide what builds up the child for success, then support and guide,” Nadin explains.
Why Peregrine? Simple: The Peregrine Falcon is known as an incredibly strong and versatile bird, demonstrating a great deal of resiliency and adaptability, with the Peregrine inhabiting all corners of the globe, echoing the key characteristics of the Montessori pedagogy and ensuring an education for life.
The program
Peregrine House is one of two schools in British Columbia associated with the Montessori Quality Assurance program, an affiliation that assures families of the quality and authenticity of Montessori programming. Peregrine actively and passionately unites Montessori theory and practice, explains Nadin.
Following the approach established by Maria Montessori in 1907, students attend five days a week, 4 ½ hours a day, with optional extended hours available.
As a community in the true sense of the word, students from age 2 ½ to 6 enjoy the same classroom, working together, with activities that are adapted to meet the needs of each student.
“The 2 1/2-year-old will look up to the five-year-old, giving the older child leadership skills while the younger child experiences a sense of belonging,” Nadin explains, noting all furniture, materials and accessories are designed with the child’s size, developmental needs and characteristics in mind, creating a space that is uniquely theirs.
Life skills to build community
Finding that many essential skills vital to an engaged, thriving community were going untaught, Nadin and her AMI Montessori-trained team build them into the day’s various activities.
Children learn to familiarize themselves with nutrition, cooking skills and table manners through daily three-course lunches, and discover the joys of working with fellow citizens through connections with local seniors for example.
Those varied, learning experiences make a real difference. “I would say our biggest fans are grandparents as the children are learning all these real-life skills they learned when they were children.”
Accessible education
With a strong belief in making the program accessible to many families, Peregine House offers an affordable program five-days-a-week, including daily lunch. Extended hours are available from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., or to 4:30 p.m. In addition to the excellent instruction, many community based experts visit regularly to complement the daily programming, including a weekly session with a Suzuki music teacher and a hip-hop/urban-style dance instructor who provides an enthusiastic opportunity to develop those large motor skills!
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Located on four acres at 20381-66 Ave. in Langley, Peregrine House School is a beautiful learning environment that fosters community and collaboration. Children engage in an array of enriching experiences and student-led activities that are purposeful, appealing and inspire a passion for learning.
