About Us
We offer a specialised education opportunity for your child. Our hours are 8:45am- 3:15pm ( extended to 3:30pm by arrangement) during school terms, because we think both children and teachers need a break from the work they do. Holiday attendance can be available during the school year – helpful for working parents.
“Teachers have created a culture where children are valued, celebrated and affirmed.” – Education Review Office.
Our Team
Warm, trusting relationships will always be the foundation for children’s learning. For this reason our teacher ratios are 1:4 in Nido and 1:6 in Casa and Villa.
“Skilful teachers support children to become confident and competent learners. They interact respectfully with children. Teachers are sensitive and responsive to children’s individual development”. Education Review Report April 2013
Casa & Villa
Casa & Villa
Two connecting spaces for three to six year olds create intellectually challenging learning environments that are filled with beauty and wonder.
“Children are confident explorers. They are trusted to make their own choices..lead their own learning and work to their own rhythm and pace”. Education Review Office
Nido
Nido
A very special space for children aged two and three – here it’s all about relationships; confidence and independence. With generous spaces and excellent teacher ratios to support them these two year olds soon show us just how capable they really are.
“A calm ordered pace that allows children appropriate time and space to learn”. Education Review Office
The Montessori Advantage
Our core curriculum is Montessori – reconceptualised for our place and time and a proven success at giving children a great educational advantage. It’s not about “teaching skills” . The emphasis is on creating children who believe in themselves as learners; who are interested, curious and engaged. The underlying principles of Montessori include respect; independence; taking responsibility.
“There is a great sense of community within the Montessori classroom, where children of differing ages work together in an atmosphere of cooperation rather than competitiveness. There is respect for the environment and for the individuals within it”- Maria Montessori
Research & Innovative Programmes
This means that we are often asked to host visiting teachers – both NZ and international study groups. Preparations for visitors and their feedback form part of our own professional learning. Teachers present their work at conferences and workshops.
“The quality of the Centre practice is recognised in the early childhood sector”. Education Review Office
The work we engage in with academic researchers leads to changing, positive outcomes for children. The added dimension at Helensville Montessori, of great interest to our visitors and researchers, is inspired by current educational theory and comes from the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The concept is that children will learn best with and alongside their peers and when they are engaged in projects of their own choosing,. This “project approach” fits comfortably alongside our Montessori Curriculum and has resulted in some truly inspirational work with children. Examples of recent work have been community and relationships ; gardening and sustainability; music,dance and drama.
Part of the Community
We understand that children make a valued contribution to society as the children they are, as well as the citizens they will become. We support children to engage with their community – the township of Helensville. This is where they learn about how we live life. So if the Art Centre is holding an exhibition the children are part of it. If there’s shopping to be done, the children can also be appropriately involved.
A child who can create his own questions and thoughts is the gifted child.” Peter Moss, England
Enrolment & Fees
Fees
Our fees are very competitive and we are always prepared to negotiate fees for low income families or families with more than one child with us. Come in and talk to us. You may also qualify for a WINZ subsidy
Enrolment Enquiry Form
You can complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you to arrange a time to visit. Alternatively, you are very welcome to drop in and see us.
What Our Families are Saying
Take a Tour
Contact Us
Contact Us
58 Garfield Road | Helensville | Auckland 0800
09 420 7181
Hours
Mon-Friday: 8:45am – 3:15pm
Mon-Friday: 7:30am – 3:00pm
Child Drop Off: 7:00am – 7:30am
Child Pickup: 3:00pm – 3:30pm
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