Analysis of the Socio-Cultural Context

Today’s school is called upon to play an increasingly challenging and responsible role, as its educational work cannot rely on mere improvisation or goodwill alone. This new preschool primarily functions as an Educational Service for a city like Salerno, which has 139,899 inhabitants.

The children attending “Piccole Orme” mainly come from families composed of professionals.

The term educate derives from educere, meaning “to bring out.” Consequently, the educational act consists of the art of drawing out all the child’s inner energies so that each child can realize their unique humanity, with joy and for the joy of living—first in the school and later in society.

Preschool is foundational, meaning it is a school that nurtures integrity and attentiveness to the development of all the fundamental elements of the person. It is a school that generates a curriculum which, in subsequent cycles, must respect a personalistic approach. The competencies to be developed are identified starting from what is foundational and essential. Understood in this way, preschool is fully integrated into the education system; indeed, it is strategically “within” it.

The professionalism and pedagogical competence of the teachers complement the love and spontaneity of the family. All the work is carried out in continuity and in complementarity with the experiences the child has across their various life contexts.