Welcome to Butterflies, a modern bilingual school that stimulates the integral development of the child dedicated to the future of 21st-century education.
Join us and experience the benefits of a bilingual school
At Butterflies, we inspire each child to think creatively and develop their independence through our daily activities and core values.
Our school is situated in a spacious modern building. Spanning over 3000 square meters, it provides an ideal environment for learning and growth.
Conveniently located just 12 minutes from Sintra, 12 minutes from Cascais, 15 minutes from Estoril, and 30 minutes from Lisbon, our school is easily accessible for families in the region.
We welcome children from 4 months up to 10 years, offering a nurturing and stimulating educational experience designed to support their development at every stage.
Come and visit us to see how we can be the perfect place for your child’s educational journey.
Our Bilingual Curriculum
At Butterflies, we aim to achieve a fully bilingual environment where both Portuguese and English are fluently spoken throughout the school.
Nursery and Crèche
In each of our classrooms, there will always be a teacher or assistant who speaks Portuguese and a teacher or assistant who speaks English, so that the child has constant contact with both languages. For example, big circle activities and story time can take place one day in Portuguese and one day in English.
Pre-School
As in the Nursery and Crèche, there will always be a teacher or assistant in the classroom who speaks Portuguese and one who speaks English. Reading and writing skills are taught in Portuguese and English through games and playful activities, which also stimulate oral communication and comprehension in both languages.
Primary Years
We follow the Ministry of Education’s Portuguese National Curriculum. Our bilingual approach will challenge our students in both languages, building a solid foundation for lifelong learning. Each classroom will be led by a Portuguese Primary Teacher in conjunction with an English Teacher. We encourage students to learn by exploring and questioning, developing practical activities to engages to engage all their senses.
Click here for more information about the Portuguese National Curriculum.
"Babies are such a niceway to start people"
Don Herold
Nursery and Creche
Nursery for children between the ages of 4 months and until they walk unaided (usually 12 to 15 months).
Toddlers room for children between the walking stages until they are 3 years old.
Key development areas, from the Pedagogical Guidelines for Crèches:
Well-being and Health
Personal, social and cultural identity
Communication, languages and cultural practices
Autonomy and Collaborations
Curiosity
While at nursery, from month four, babies are starting to come out of their cocoon and, they begin a journey of discovery.
Rolling over, sitting, crawling and standing
Walking, jumping, hopping, running and dancing
Babbling, talking, asking questions and singing
Recognising familiar faces and sounds
Reaching for objects, counting, drawing, colouring and using scissors.
Pre School
For children between the ages of 3 and 5 years.
Key development areas:
Personal and social development
Expression and Communication
Motricity and Artistic Education
Knowledge of the World
Autonomy and Collaboration
Curiosity and Critical Thinking
At this age, children start to understand their own body, mind and emotions; they are becoming independent. They are:
• Active, mobile and learning in very physical ways.
• Interested in playing and making friends with other children.
• Curious about bodies.
• Learning lots of new words.
• Fascinated by the world around them.
• Starting to tell the difference between real and pretend.
Primary
From the year your child turns 6 years old.
Key development areas:
Personal, social and emotional development
Language and communication
Logical-mathematical
Knowledge of the world and its history
Autonomy, co-operation and leadership
Critical thinking, project and problem solving
Curiosity and Artistic and Motor Expression
During their primary years, children develop a more detailed understanding of their surroundings and communicate verbally with the context. They are able to think critically about situations and apply their creativity to solving problems. At this stage children demonstrate:
• Greater awareness of their own and other’s emotions and feelings
• Collaboration and stronger, more lasting connections
• Growing oral and written communication skills
• Develop logical and critical thinking
Dynamic Interactive Rooms
We follow an innovative approach for the design and the physical structure of our premises. We gave priority to the creation of spaces that stimulate creativity, mutual collaboration and the well being of our students.
Nursery and Creche
1 Infant room
2 Toddler rooms
(from walking until 24 months)
2 Toddler rooms
(from 24 to 36 months)+
Pre-School
1 classroom for children from 3 to 4 years old
1 classroom for children from 4 to 5 years old
Primary
4 classrooms for each curricular year (year 1 to 4 of the Portuguese Curriculum)
Shared Spaces
Canteen
Library
Exterior Playground
Interior Play area
Arts & Music Room
Physical Activity Classroom