Courtyard Montessori Philosophy

LET THE UNIQUENESS OF THE CHILD GUIDE OUR WORK

The Courtyard Montessori Preschool was established in 1980 to embrace the Montessori philosophy and offer a Montessori education to tamariki and whānau in Otautahi.  To this day we continue to provide an authentic Montessori education to tamariki growing up in a diverse society that comprises people from a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities.

The Courtyard Montessori Preschool acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and is committed to Tiriti-o Waitangi through our partnerships/relationships with whànau.  Ngà hononga/relationships are at the heart of who and what we stand for.  We are committed to embracing Te Ao Màori in our everyday mahi, committed to ensuring Māori succeed as Māori, embracing their cultural distinctiveness and potential so they can enjoy and achieve education success.

At the Courtyard Montessori Preschool, we believe each child is a “taonga tuku iho” – a treasure handed down, and a unique individual who has the potential to bring something distinctive and special to the world.  When we think of the ever-changing world, the future must lie in the next generation of tamariki who will appreciate and learn to respect this beautiful planet that they live on.  The Courtyard’s prepared environment facilitates tamariki’s exploration and self‑discovery vital to brain and general development.

It is our aspiration as Early Childhood and Montessori kaiako to assist tamariki to discover this inner potential by believing them to be capable individuals who can become lifelong learners.  In partnership with whānau we will strive to nurture each child’s holistic development to the fullest, building strong trusting relationships between preschool, tamariki and whānau and the wider community.

Our aim is to ensure all our kaiako are qualified in both Early Childhood and Montessori Education.  Whānau are recognised as ‘First Educators’ of their tamariki and will be encouraged and given opportunities to share in the life of our preschool.

We endeavour to explore new ways of working alongside tamariki that are based on collaboration, wonder and respect for what they bring.  Kaiako will be at the fore‑front of teaching methods based on research, adapted to reflect our centre community.  We will keep up to date with current research in Early Childhood Education and participate in relevant professional development opportunities that ultimately provide successful outcomes for tamariki.  Mutual respect will be developed through tamariki expressing themselves and by responding to their dispositional learning.

In conjunction with teaching ‘skills for life’ we aim to support tamariki develop ‘ways of being’ which will lead to active roles in a harmonious, co-operative society.