At Avenor, education means more than acquiring information – it is about growth, discovery, autonomy, motivation, and the development of a curious and resilient mindset. That is why the Avenor Nursery’s educational offer includes 10 trips each school year, along with numerous outings to the forest, around the neighbourhood, or to the park – all tailored to the children’s age and linked to the learning objectives in the curriculum.
We leave the classroom as often as possible because learning has no walls, and the world is full of opportunities waiting to be explored. Trips and outdoor activities are like “super lessons” – they develop critical thinking (“Why is the sky blue?”), problem-solving (“How can we cross the river without getting wet?”), and collaboration (“Let’s work together!”).
We invite you to hear directly from Cristina Farcaș – Deputy Head of Nursery (Cașin) – as she shares more about the philosophy behind these activities and their role in the learning process.
Every child sees the world in their own way – some explore through endless questions, others through play, or by touching and experimenting with everything around them. At Avenor, we want to give them the chance to learn in the way that suits them best. That’s why we step out of the classroom as often as possible and take them to places where they can explore freely, where their curiosity comes to life, and where each child can engage directly with the real world. In these settings, learning becomes authentic, practical, and memorable, fostering both critical thinking and independence.
The journey itself is an important part of the experience. The route to the destination is full of learning moments – children observe the world around them, ask questions about what they see through the window, chat with one another, and learn how to manage their emotions. Often, the joy comes not just from where we end up, but from the shared adventures along the way. These transitions support learning transfer and offer varied contexts in which children apply what they’ve discovered in the classroom.
When we visit a farm, it’s not just about seeing animals – it’s about interacting with them, feeding them, and listening to them. A curious child might ask how sheep recognise their lambs, another might need a bit of courage to touch a rabbit, while someone else may discover that they love caring for animals. Educators are always nearby, ready to make the most of each moment, nurturing each child’s curiosity and motivation.
In nature, children become explorers. Whether they are jumping over puddles, looking for animal tracks or learning about trees, every step is a discovery. If they find a footprint in the mud, it might spark a conversation about who came before them. If they hear a bird singing, they might ask, “What is it saying?”. The educator’s role is to encourage this critical thinking and to guide the children as they search for answers themselves.
History is easier to understand when it can be experienced. If we visit an old house, children do not just hear about the past – they live it for a few moments. “But where’s the fridge?” someone might ask. That simple question leads to a discussion about how food used to be stored. This way, children don’t just collect information – they connect it to their own experiences, enhancing learning transfer.
Play and experimentation are a natural way for children to grasp science. When they see how a mechanism works or build something with their own hands, they not only learn – they understand that it’s okay to test things out, make mistakes and try again. Educators offer the space and confidence children need to explore fearlessly, cultivating resilience and independence.
Beyond discovering the world, these experiences strengthen the children themselves. They become braver, more confident in their abilities. Some might be scared to climb a hill or enter a dark barn. But with the support of their educators, they succeed. In those moments, they not only learn about the place they are visiting – but more importantly, about their own resilience – about how they can overcome challenges and how the whole world can become their classroom.
Learning outside the classroom also offers something essential – genuine relationships. By working together on a challenge and helping one another, children learn to collaborate and support each other. Every experience helps them develop valuable social skills, while educators are there, observing each child’s progress at their own pace.
All these moments enrich the educators’ daily observations, providing a clear picture of each child’s development. At Avenor, education means more than acquiring information – it is about growth, discovery, autonomy, motivation, and the development of a curious and resilient spirit. That’s why we leave the classroom as often as we can. Because learning has no walls, and the world is full of opportunities waiting to be discovered.
