"When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their true strength" - Maria Montessori

THE KAUPAPA OF OUR CLASSROOMS

Maria Montessori believes that children should be treated with respect and part of that respect relates to the classroom environment. Our classrooms are a place of learning for each tamaiti and to support this, kaiako are quiet, at children’s physical level, and encourage independent learning. We do this to support and respect their focus. You play your part by saying “goodbye” to your tamaiti (child) at the door and receiving them there again at pick up time.

We love your input. Some ways you can contribute are:

Responding to stories on Educa our online platform where we share stories of what your tamaiti has been doing
Posting a story on Educa of what your whᾱnau are up to.
Replying to Facebook stories
Taking part in our twice-yearly whᾱnau hui
Taking part in our working bees and fundraising events
Sharing a whᾱnau cultural celebration with us. This could be coming in to teach us a song or an art activity or making and sharing kai. There may be other skills that you can share with us…korero ki a kaiako! Share the aroha.

We require children to bring their own kai and water bottle each day. We have a healthy food policy that is available for you to look at in the foyer of the Centre. We teach the children that when we put good things into our bodies, we can expect good actions from them. We love it when our tamariki bring whole foods for kai time - eggs, meat, cheese, veges, leftovers, bread (with cheese, egg, salad, or peanut butter), nuts, yogurt in their own container, etc. As with all things, we are encouraging respect: for our bodies by putting good food in, and the environment by not having pre-packaged or single-use packaged food. If we have children with food allergies, we will let you know what needs to be left out of lunchboxes to keep everyone safe.

We have water, messy, and sand play most days. Comfortable clothes encourage freedom of movement and fun! We use Haruᾱtai park as part of our outdoor classroom and find gumboots best for these days. There is no such thing as bad weather… only bad clothing choices! We tend to go out in all weather, so lots of layers and a good waterproof coat are useful. Sun hats are provided for each child and are compulsory for children to wear in terms 1 and 4.

For safety purposes, only the parents/whānau or people who have authority to collect your child will be able to do so. The authority is given in the enrolment form and will need to be updated as required by a parent. Parents/whānau are responsible for their own child while coming and going from the Preschool.

On enrolment, an immunisation certificate needs to be sighted and photocopied. Immunisation information, allergies, and relevant medical details that teachers need to be aware of will be recorded on your child’s file.

FOOD AND NUTRITION

PREPARING FOR FUN

ARRIVAL AND COLLECTION

HEALTH

WAYS WE COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER

We love to talk with our whānau face to face as well. It’s great to get an update from you on how the night/weekend has been as you drop your tamaiti off, and we will often offer a snippet of genius that your tamaiti may have shown during the day. Any longer discussions can be arranged with the class kaiako, head teacher, or Centre Manager.

Educa is the online portal that we use for recording the learning of the children, minutes of the committee meetings, and notices that are of interest to you and your whᾱnau. You are able to put multiple people onto this portal which is a great way to share your child’s learning with others – including extended whᾱnau overseas. We love to see stories of what the tamariki are doing away from Montessori as well. This cements links between home and the Centre.

ŌTAKI MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL