Cottage by the sea

Bilingual daycare & preschool
@ Przno

About the project

Cottage by the sea is a Reggio-inspired educational space for children, shaped by the rhythms of nature and

coastal life.

Here, children play, learn, and grow in an environment

that gently nurtures their natural development —

through curiosity, exploration, and meaningful connections with the world around them.

  • Co-playing, or Daycare. 2.5-5 years old
    A full, nurturing day filled with rest, a warm homemade lunch, long outdoor walks, and joyful beach play alongside other children.
    All within a caring, attentive environment where every child is truly seen, respected, and valued as an individual.
  • Co-learning, or Preschool. 5-7 years old
    This is the age when curiosity for “grown-up” activities naturally begins to blossom — reading, writing, and early math.
    By following this intrinsic interest through play, children gently and confidently prepare for school — without the need to sit dow all day.
What makes us different
  • New discoveries every day
    Our approach is rooted in children’s natural curiosity and their innate desire to explore the world around them — something we gently nurture and develop through play.
    Rather than imposing a fixed agenda, we follow each child’s interests and transform them into meaningful learning opportunities.
  • Mixed-age group
    We have a mixed-age group, while activities are thoughtfully adapted for younger and older children.
    In this multi-age environment, older children learn to care for the younger ones and naturally take on mentoring roles, while younger children learn with ease by observing and engaging with peers close to their age.
  • Cool adults
    We choose our team not only for their qualifications, but for their experience, character, and genuine passion.
    Bright, engaged, and deeply attuned to the world of childhood — these are the qualities that define our educators.
  • First friendships
    We place a strong emphasis on “soft skills” — communication, social interaction, and emotional awareness.
    This helps children not just share the same space, but build genuine friendships and navigate meaningful social experiences.
  • Caring for little bodies — and giving parents a chance to recharge
    Nutritious meals prepared on-site or thoughtfully delivered — tried, tested, and enjoyed by children in our other schools.
  • Enriching outdoor experiences
    The beach, the park, and the mountains become the best playground — and a truly inspiring learning environment.
    “Cottage” is located in Pržno for a reason. Here, we have the opportunity to spend our days in Miločer Park, breathe in the fresh pine-scented air, and enjoy sunny playtime on some of Montenegro’s most beautiful beaches.
Day at the Cottage
9:00
9:15
10:00
10:15
10:45
11:00
Day starts
Circle time
Late breakfast
Morning class/project
Getting ready for a walk
Outdoor adventure
13:45
15:15
15:30
16:00
16:45
17:00
Snack
Nap time for the little ones / quiet activities for the older children
Afternoon class/project
Свободная игра
Наводим порядок
Дорога домой
13:00
13:15
Back for lunch
Lunch
Classes
  • English
    One of our teachers communicates with the children exclusively in English. Also, bilingual environment is created within the Cottage—the space itself "communicates" with the kids in English.
  • Story time
    We don’t limit ourselves to the traditional “tracing letters in a workbook” format. Children learn letters while sculpting them from clay, writing them in the sand, and assembling them from paper. We also listen to and learn to read books, and create our own stories.
  • Craft
    We explore the world around us and make crafts through play. It’s essential to touch everything, see how it works, and understand where it comes from!
  • Preschool
    We prepare the hand for writing, develop mathematical thinking and logic, learn to ask questions and complete a task if started (a skill that will be very useful when doing homework).
  • Cooking class
    We turn into real little chefs! We mix, whisk, freeze, bake, crumble, and melt :) Along the way, we get to know the ingredients—smelling them, touching them with our fingers, kneading them with our hands, and tasting.
  • Physical Education
    We do gymnastics, play sports games, and run a lot during our long walks.
  • Music
    We listen to music played on different instruments: guitar, ukulele, tongue drum, spoons, and other simple percussion instruments. We learn songs and dances.
  • Clay-play
    We sculpt characters, act out stories, experience joy and a little fright, and find ways out of situations we’ve created ourselves! We work with our hands and fingers, express ourselves, listen to one another, create and imagine.
Who is in charge?
We are parents, educators, and creators of thriving educational initiatives
  • Aleksandra Ivlieva
    Social entrepreneur, Harvard graduate, mom of 3

    Sadik-Sharik (premium kindergarten in the Moscow region)
    Shkolab (chain of primary schools in and around Moscow)
    Textura (educational space in Budva)

  • Tanya Minor
    Entrepreneur, education expert, and facilitator of open workshops

    The Treehouse (Reggio-inspired daycare in Moscow)
    Textura (educational space in Budva)

  • Maksim Kornilin
    A vibrant and charismatic educator, animator, musician, and leader of camps and outdoor adventures.

    A person adored by children.


Our projects
How much?

500 euro per month

20% discount for the second kid

Contacts
+382 068 494181

Przno, opština Budva, Montenegro

9.00–17.00