Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori.  Montessori education is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits and respect for a child’s natural psychological development, as well as technological advancements in society.

At the core of the Montessori approach to education is the curriculum developed by Dr Montessori for the 3-6 year old child.  The Montessori programme is attended by the largest number of children and is the starting place and mainstay for Montessori education in NZ and overseas.  The young child is curious about everything and needs to explore and discover.  The learning environment is designed with encourage each child to move, touch, and manipulate.  The child has freedom to work independently, based on their own initiatives with gentle and respectful guidance from their teacher.  Montessori learning environments are inviting, attractive indoor and outdoor spaces with an intriguing array of learning materials.  The Montessori environment contains specially designed, hands on materials that invite children to engage in leaning activities of their own individual choice.  Under the guidance of a Montessori teacher, children  learn by making discoveries, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline and a love of learning.  The daily practice of Montessori philosophy is made possible by the clearly defined Montessori Curriculum, which includes; practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics, botany, geography, art, music, drama and environmental studies.  The Montessori classroom is prepared with the child and only the child in mind.  The physical space and routines of the classroom are designed to maximise independent learning and exploration.