Blue by Busy Hands offers a living, bilingual education in contact with nature, inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and Montessori
Colegio Blue by Busy Hands, located in El Tesoro, Maldonado, offers an innovative educational model inspired by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia and Montessori. Its director, Patricia Johnson, explains how they aim to raise happy, curious and empathetic children through learning in contact with nature.
A living education that celebrates childhood
Patricia Johnson, director of Colegio Blue by Busy Hands, has been dedicated to education for more than 25 years and is the founder and Director of Busy Hands, the first preschool inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy in Uruguay “I started 15 years ago with the first preschool inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy in Uruguay,”she says. In 2025, together with two partners, she acquired the school Blue, to give it new momentum and direction.
Surrounded by nature and a few meters from the sea, the school’s setting becomes an essential part of learning. Johnson explains that “being so close to greenery, to the countryside and to the sea allows children a living kind of learning, one that comes through the body and through experience.”.
The educational project rests on three pillars: the Reggio Emilia, the Montessori method and English language as a central learning tool. In this approach, children are seen as protagonists of their own process. “We see the child as someone who can, who knows, and who is full of potential. Our role as adults is to accompany that discovery,”she says.
center top no-repeat Patricia Johnson, Director of Colegio Blue by Busy Hands. Patricia Johnson, Director of Colegio Blue by Busy Hands.
“From the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we learned that every child has a hundred languages with which to express themselves. Our job is to listen to them and give them the space to do so.”
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Blue by Busy Hands’ infrastructure is designed to work fully at any time of year, regardless of weather conditions. Blue by Busy Hands’ infrastructure is designed to work fully at any time of year, regardless of weather conditions.
At Blue by Busy Hands we accompany children from their first year of life through sixth grade of primary school, and we are already planning the secondary cycle so we can keep growing with them. Patricia Johnson
In the classroom, project work arises from the children’s own interests. If the group becomes interested in insects, for example, the teaching team encourages research through open questions, reading, exploration in nature and work in small groups. “That way the projects grow and become real learning experiences,”explains Johnson.
The school welcomes children from one year of age through sixth grade of primary school. Small groups — between 10 and 15 children in preschool and up to 20 in primary — allow personalized attention. In the early levels, each group has two teachers, one Spanish-speaking and one English-speaking, plus a workshop leader who supports the art projects.
English is introduced naturally from the first year, through songs, stories and games. From age four, 50% of the school day takes place in English. “I lived abroad for many years, and I know that learning English from a young age opens doors and enriches life,”says the director.
True to its humanized approach, the school does without screens. Students have only a brief weekly contact with technology. “We want children to connect with their essence and with nature. Here there are no screens, there are living experiences,”stresses Johnson.
The space includes an art atelier, another for light and shadow, a vegetable garden, a swimming pool, music classes, physical education and mindfulness, and wide gardens that encourage free play and exploration. “This environment invites children to discover the world with their hands, to create and to imagine,” she says enthusiastically.
Blue by Busy Hands already plans to open its secondary school, in agreement with ANEP, so that students can continue their educational path within this same philosophy.
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center top no-repeat 3341,3322,3318,3315,3316,3333,3305,3336,3308,3325,3321,3310,3307,3306,3334,3335,3337,3338,3339,3340 No mobile devices are used at the school: we prioritize play, exploration and direct experience over screen use. Patricia Johnson
The space includes an art atelier and another for light and shadow, a vegetable garden, a swimming pool, music classes, physical education and mindfulness, and wide gardens that encourage free play and exploration. “This environment invites children to discover the world with their hands, to create and to imagine,” she says enthusiastically.
center top no-repeat Learning to swim is part of the curriculum. Learning to swim is part of the curriculum.
Covered gym, sport without interruption. Covered gym, sport without interruption.
Summer Camp 2026 at Blue by Busy Hands
The Summer Camp 2026 of Blue by Busy Hands offers a creative and fun experience for children aged 1 to 12. Over seven weeks, participants learn, play and discover the world through art, nature and imagination, with bilingual, themed activities that change every week.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia, the program fosters autonomy, curiosity and teamwork. Days include water games, recycled materials and outdoor activities that invite children to explore, create and enjoy learning in a natural, stimulating environment.
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Contact
To learn more about the proposal of Colegio Blue by Busy Hands, you can call +598-095-132-243 or write to direccion@colegiobluebybusyhands.edu.uy
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Office hours: 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
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