ANM's Nido Montessori Program
Nido Program
Ages 2 months – 18 monthsThe first eighteen months are where a child builds the foundation for everything after them. They learn to move with control, they take in language long before they can speak it, and they work out whether the world around them can be trusted. What a child leaves with in the Nido Program is security, and the confidence that independence is built on.
What to expect in our Nido classroom
Our Nido is built for the earliest stages of movement and discovery, with materials chosen for how infants actually explore. Babies are given room to move freely, surfaces to push against and pull up on, and real objects to handle. Language surrounds them all day, spoken directly and clearly. What grows out of that is a baby who feels secure, and a secure baby is a curious one.
The tiny child’s absorbent mind finds all its nutriment in its surroundings. Here it has to locate itself, and build itself up from what it takes in. Especially at the beginning of life must we, therefore, make the environment as interesting and attractive as we can.
Maria Montessori
Every Classroom Led by an AMI-Certified Guide
Montessori is not a protected term in Nigeria. A school can put it on a gate, buy a few wooden toys, and run an ordinary classroom behind it. AMI is the Association Montessori Internationale, established by Maria Montessori in 1929 to prevent exactly that. Its diplomas are externally examined and remain the most rigorous Montessori qualification in the world. Every lead guide at Aquila Nidus holds one for the age group they work with, and so does our founder. It is the one claim about a Montessori school you can actually check, which is why we put it in front of you first.
Meet our Nido educators
The guides who care for your child through their first eighteen months.
Salem Olympio Jesutomi
0-3 Lead Guide
Damaris Chimelu
Nido Assistant
Omekwu Gloria
Nido Assistant
Nido Curriculum PDF
Coming soon — the full curriculum document will be available here shortly.
Inside the Aquila Nidus Montessori journey
A day in the life of our youngest learners
Join the Aquila Nidus family
Start your child’s
Montessori journey today!
What parents say about Aquila Nidus Montessori
“I’m a Montessori director myself, so I understand and appreciate authentic Montessori when I see one. That’s the confidence I had putting her here. She has grown way beyond what her average age would know, in a very safe and child-friendly environment. I’m not afraid of her future, because I know she has a very good foundation.”
Oluwaseun
Tomisin’s mom
“Aquila does the proper Montessori. That’s why we love it. They use the actual materials, they follow the actual curriculum. It’s not blended or traditional in any way, it’s purely Montessori. And my kids love to come here. They’re always happy to come to school.”
Ibukun
Ire and Desire’s mom
“I’ve recommended Aquila to so many parents who eventually enrolled their children. My son finished here and Janelle too, and it has impacted their lives creatively, intellectually, socially, mentally, in so many ways. I’ve watched Janelle grow and there’s been a big difference, academically and otherwise. I would recommend this school one hundred percent to any parent looking for a real Montessori school.”
Mrs Onyenwe
Janelle’s mom
“I had gone around looking at schools for my kids, but when I got to Aquila Nidus I was amazed at the level of discipline I found. They are intentional about the children. Teiora started at the crèche and I was impressed right from there, at the way they took care of the children. Today she is graduating. I’m thankful to the school, and I pray my son who is still here goes through the same journey.”
Mrs Uzomba
Teiora’s mother
“It has been a wonderful journey since Bukunmi joined Aquila Nidus. He loves his friends, he has improved in his studies, and he has become more confident than before. As a parent I have really enjoyed our experience here, and I’m grateful to have come across the school.”
Sunsola
Bukunmi’s mother
“What I will remember most is the warmth. Aquila is a small community, but it’s home. All the children are our children. There’s a true spirit of community among the children and even among the parents. We see ourselves as one big family.”
Mrs Olaniyi
Tofunmi’s mother