El Naranjo

El Naranjo is a public nursery in Parla (Madrid) that offers the second cycle of early childhood education (ages 3-6). Its educational project is based on the evidence from neuroscience and knowledge of developmental processes, guiding the emotional support of children in their learning processes and understanding of their behaviors.

The school is inspired by various active pedagogies. From the Reggio Emilia approach, it takes into account the school as a place for meeting and self-development, with beautiful and aesthetic environments for living, coexisting, and relating; it also grants families a fundamental role, with active participation in learning experiences and in the well-being of students. It also embraces the idea of the hundred languages of the child, understood as the integration and interrelation of different languages. From Emmi Pikler, it gathers the importance of autonomy and spontaneous motor development through autonomous activity, without direct adult intervention, preparing safe and comfortable spaces. The psychomotor experience, inspired by Bernard Aucouturier, is realized in sessions focused on the pleasure of spontaneous play and free expression.

Respectful support is articulated with firm and kind limits that provide security and maintain a calm environment; the adult acts as a reference who offers support instead of approval. The school defines itself as a space that fosters harmony, serenity, well-being, brightness, and joy, and trusts in the children's ability to direct their own learning and grow at their own pace.