To Enrol…
Parents are introduced to our Montessori classroom and a simple version of Montessori theory is explained to them. The purpose of this visit is to give prospective parents an understanding about our Montessori curriculum, routines and enrolment procedures.
“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him/her for school, but for life”
— Maria Montessori
Enrolment procedure
Parents are welcome to visit our pre-school and observe our class by appointment. This visit will give you the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding about the Montessori approach to Education. We recognise you as the influential educator in your child’s life. We value your input as you are considered an integral part of your child’s total development. Therefore we seek to partner and collaborate with you to help your child reach his or her full potential in all areas of life.
Orientation
To assist your child in settling into this new phase of life, we encourage you to attend a one or two hour introductory class with your child for the first day. We will allocate a member of staff to specially attend to your child and, along with the other children, help guide your child in settling into our environment.
After the orientation period we expect you to leave your child with us. We find this procedure essential as it is important that your child gets to establish familiarity and trust with the same teacher and to feel secure in the environment before he or she attends the full day.
Offer of acceptance
To ensure that you secure a place at Little Star Montessori, you must sign and complete the enrolment form. Both parents must sign the enrolment document where applicable and then return the form either by email or by post to our Postal Box 79295, Royal Heights, Auckland 0656. It is imperative that you do this promptly as we prioritise returned application forms on a 'first come, first serve basis.'
Hours and days of operation
Little Star Montessori is open throughout the year except during a three week close down period between Christmas and New Years. School hours are 8.45 am to 3.30 pm. All children should be collected by 3.30 pm.
Full days
Little Star Montessori offers a minimum of 2 full days for 2 year olds and a minimum of 3 full days for 3 year olds. As your child grows older it is necessary that you increase your child's attendance as this help prepare your child transition confidently into primary school.
Fees and Enrolment
For inquiries about fees and enrolment procedures, admission, change of days please contact Rachel Loo on (09) 416 9696 or 021 388 583. Please read terms and conditions in the enrolment declaration with regard to payment of fees.
"He Tāonga te tamaiti, whakatipu, arohaina"
As a couple and as parents Jay and I have always had an affinity with children, an understanding of their mastery as teachers, and a commitment to repatriating future generations to Māori learning and knowing systems grounded in peace education. Raising Te Āio speaking child, with little understanding of English, were unsure as to whether Montessori was the right option for us, but we knew we wanted to immerse our child in a learning system closest to our own traditional Māori learning systems.
Our first visit to Little Star Montessori alleviated any anxieties I had as a first-time parent being prepared to leave my child with strangers. We immediately noticed how peacefully children were engaged in the activities and how much they enjoyed play. We knew Little Star was the right option for our child. In only a year at Montessori, Te Āio’s language capacity has grown, he has acquired an English fluency which has only enhanced his Reo Māori, and we love the way that the teachers are always growing their own Te Reo capacity. We are incredibly grateful to the learning environment of Little Star Montessori for the way in which Te Āio is given the freedom to learn and explore at his own pace in a way that we believe will encourage him to be a lifelong learner. The way that Te Āio is able to participate at kura has provided him a sense of responsibility, and a confidence in how he participates with others. He constantly challenges us as parents, fights for his independence and reinforces his need to be learning all the time, in turn he provides us with ongoing learning opportunities.
The kaiako at Little Star Montessori exhibit a deep consciousness, apparent in their ability to observe and interact with each child, to understand the needs of the child and to set clear boundaries, providing safety for the children. The Kaiako team never hesitate to let us know when something needs to b addressed, and always check-in and support us as parents, in a way that we feel like it is a village raising Te Āio collectively.
Ngā mihi ki a koutou, me ō ringa manaaki, ngākau māhaki.
"The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence"
Nāku