96 Trafalgar Street, St Albans, Christchurch 8014
We are located in a lovely, refurbished St Albans villa which immediately feels like a home. The warm environment is created by our very experienced and exceptionally well qualified teaching team. Teachers respect and encourage the independence and capabilities of each child.
We provide a full, authentic Montessori programme supported by Montessori teachers who offer an enriched programme full of opportunities. We value open communication between families, teachers and children. We are proud of our welcoming and inclusive centre, where our families know they are always welcome.
We have received a fantastic Education Review Office (ERO) report, achieving the very best grade for all early childhood centres in New Zealand.
What else can you expect from our childcare centre:
Besides being presented in a structured way, language is always present in a Montessori classroom. Children are encouraged to ask questions, have discussions, make discoveries and have a sense of curiosity in the world around them. There is always the busy hum of activity in a Montessori classroom because the use of the materials involves many motions – walking, carrying, pouring, speaking and particularly, the constant using of the hands. Dr Montessori never equated silence with goodness and immobility.
A young child meets the world around them through the constant use of all their senses. The sensorial materials in a Montessori classroom help children define qualities such as colour, weight, shape, texture, size, sound, smell etc. Each of the sensorial materials isolates one defining quality, be eliminating or minimising other differences. When a child becomes interested in a particular activity, their behaviour almost always matures. Self-discipline is gradually acquired, through absorption in meaningful work.
The mixed age group of 3 to 6 year olds provides the younger children with a graded series of models for imitation, and the older ones an opportunity to reinforce their own knowledge by helping the younger ones. For the young child, there is something special about tasks that an adult considers ‘ordinary’ – cutting fruit, rolling the dough and making scones etc. They excite the child because they allow them to imitate the adults. Imitation is one of the child’s strongest urges during his early years.A child can learn basic concepts of maths in a very exciting way in the Montessori classroom. They learn by using concrete materials during the years when they enjoy manipulating equipment.
Relationships with Whanau (Whanaungatanga) – We as Kaiako understand that parents and whanau are the most important people in their life. We respect parents as first teachers and work with you to guide your child through their learning journey. Therefore, we take pride in communication and consultation with our Whanau, collaborating to ensure we are providing a home-like, secure, loving and developmentally appropriate environment and curriculum. As a centre we ensure that we take time to celebrate each and every milestone that our tamariki achieve.
Inclusion – As Kaiako we believe in Cultural Appreciation. As a team we celebrate such events as Chinese New Year, Matariki and Language Weeks within our centre. We also take part in nationwide events such as raising money for Plunket and the Cancer Society.
Community Involvement - We as a team believe it is important to be a part of our community. Our kaiako (teachers) support our parents and tamariki with transition to school, where the kaiako organise visits to our local schools. We also complete other adventures around our surrounding neighbourhood so that our tamariki learn an appreciation for their wider environment.
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