Scuola d”infanzia Sandra Forghieri was built with a donation by the Cassa di Risparmio di Modena Foundation and subsequently managed by the Municipality.
The school is located in Modena Est district. On the north side of the school there is a large protected green area, dominated by some tree species, which it has intentionally chosen to maintain. The relationship of the
build with nature is in fact one of the central elements of the project, as much aimed at the external open spaces as at the inner courtyards that occupy some modules of the grid. These are directly connected with the didactic sections and are characterized by the studied choice of tree essences suitable for indicating one of the four seasons to which each courtyard is dedicated. The Winter
Cloister also houses the bronze sculpture created by the Cesena artist Leonardo Lucchi. Each module, inside, is configured as an open space, divided only by low furniture and custom designed cabinets. Even the connection spaces are conceived not as simple corridors, but as true multifunctional places, thanks to the sliding glass doors that put them in communication with the outside and find their point of connection in the winter garden, a large space covered and illuminated by skylights, used as an open / closed space to be used in cold seasons, as a place dedicated to motor activities, for parties and social gatherings with families.
(https://www.comune.modena.it/lecittasostenibili/atlante-delle-architetture-del-900-di-modena/le-101-architetture/101schede/nido-e-scuola-dinfanzia-sandra-forghieri).
The school welcomes approx 140 children, 12 teaching staff, 6 assistants, various special needs teachers, 1 chef and a pedagogical coordinator. The school is managed by the local authority which supports the school for both implementation of the project and of the administrative element.
The school’s innovative pedagogical structure has led many teachers from different countries visiting the school. In fact the school hosts many delegation coming from Europe every year.
The school’s approach to teaching and learning is in line with the idea that children develop autonomy and independence by interacting with others and the world around them.