Learning Experiences
Learning at Cerejeiras
Our approach is centred on the child and their interaction with the environment, supporting their growth as individuals. Our philosophy is to create conditions in which children can build autonomy, experience freedom and joy in how they engage with learning, and have their pace and individual needs respected. Adults in the community offer presence, guidance and support as children explore, grow and develop within the shared learning environment.
Our ethical principles are grounded in non-violence, community and shared values, and are reflected in how we live and learn together day to day. We recognise that personal growth happens through real-life experiences, including challenges such as competition, mistakes, conflict and differences, which are part of being human. Within the community, children are free to form relationships and navigate these situations naturally, learning to participate with others, co-create shared experiences and coexist within a diverse group. We support everyone involved in the community — children, families and other participating adults — in cultivating communication, conflict resolution, reflection and emotional awareness through lived experience and mutual support.
Younger ages
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 are welcome to take part in our early years learning community, where there is plenty of time for play, exploration, stories and, above all, the ideas and curiosities that arise naturally from the children themselves.
Within a democratic and participatory environment, we value children’s interests and preferences, allowing them to engage with a wide range of experiences and materials and observing what resonates with them over time. The community is supported on a daily basis by a team of facilitators, who are responsible for holding the space, supporting relationships and helping to create varied, playful and meaningful experiences, full of enjoyment, discovery and shared moments of learning.
Primary years (ages 6-10)
During the primary years, many children experience learning as something that happens mainly while sitting, listening and following instructions. At Cerejeiras, families and facilitators support a different rhythm, where learning is embedded in everyday experiences, relationships and active engagement with the world.
Portuguese is the main language of interaction within the community, and the environment is shaped to support children who may later transition into the public school system, should families choose that path. While Cerejeiras is not a school and does not deliver formal lessons or a prescribed curriculum, facilitators support children in becoming familiar with a broad range of skills, ways of thinking and areas of exploration commonly encountered in future learning contexts, always respecting each child’s pace and interests.
Much of daily life in the community is organised around project-based exploration, where children can choose how and where they participate. Creative expression, movement and hands-on experiences are valued alongside activities that involve numbers, language, nature and problem-solving. These experiences may include yoga sessions, collaborative artistic projects such as dance and theatre, regular time in the garden and nature-based walks, and opportunities for exploration in forest and outdoor environments, all woven naturally into the shared life of the community.
Older years (ages 11-15)
As children grow older, their interests often expand into more complex questions, ideas and areas of exploration. Within the Cerejeiras community, families and facilitators support opportunities for deeper inquiry across a wide range of themes that may include science, humanities, philosophy, technology, languages and creative expression.
These explorations take place through a variety of formats, which can include in-person activities, shared online resources and collaborative projects involving different age groups. Older children often work alongside younger ones, sharing experiences, interests and perspectives, and contributing to a culture of mutual inspiration and learning within the community.
Project-based exploration continues to play an important role during these years, alongside themed workshops and shared activities that arise in response to the interests of the group. While Cerejeiras is not a school and does not deliver formal lessons or a fixed curriculum, the community environment supports children in developing familiarity with a broad range of ideas, skills and ways of thinking that may be relevant for future learning pathways, including possible transitions into public schooling when families choose that option.
Join The Community
A limited number of places are available, as group size is intentionally kept small to support meaningful relationships and a shared sense of community. If you are interested, we recommend getting in touch early to explore whether Cerejeiras is a good fit for your family.
Contact us
If you have any questions, suggestions or offers please write to us.
