Frequently Asked Questions
When is Montessori Blenheim open?Montessori Blenheim is open Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 4.00pm.
We close for public holidays, for approximately two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period, and for one week during the July school holidays for our winter break. Families are provided with our closure dates well in advance each year.
Is there currently a wait list to enrol my child?
Children can join our Montessori learning community from two years of age, beginning in our dedicated early learning environment at Garland House before transitioning into our 3 - 6 Montessori classroom.
Places are limited, and availability varies depending on your child’s age and preferred start date. We encourage whānau to submit an Expression of Interest as early as possible so we can keep you informed about availability and upcoming places.
How is Montessori Blenheim different from other ECE classrooms?
At Montessori Blenheim, our environment is carefully prepared to feel like a world made especially for children — calm, beautiful, purposeful and designed around their natural development.
Rather than everyone doing the same activity at the same time, children have the freedom to choose meaningful work, follow their interests and learn at their own pace. Authentic Montessori materials, hands-on experiences and long periods of uninterrupted learning give children the time and space to develop deep concentration, independence, confidence and a genuine love of learning.
Our kaiārahi observe and guide each child individually, introducing new learning when they are ready while nurturing their social and emotional development too. Children learn to care for themselves, one another and their environment, becoming capable and confident members of their learning community.
Do children stay at Montessori Blenheim past their 5th birthday?
Yes. Many children remain at Montessori Blenheim beyond their fifth birthday, and this final stage of their Montessori journey can be an incredibly special one.
Our 3–6 Montessori environment follows the three-year Montessori cycle, with the final year often bringing together so much of the learning and independence children have developed over the years before. It can be a wonderful period of academic, social and emotional growth, as older children deepen their learning, take on greater responsibility and become confident leaders within their classroom community.
Our kaiārahi include teachers with both Early Childhood and Primary training, and our high teacher-to-child ratios allow for responsive, individual teaching and learning. When the time comes to transition to kura/school, we consider the whole child — their confidence, independence, emotional and social development, and learning — rather than viewing their fifth birthday as an automatic end point.
What food should I pack for my child?
Children bring their own lunchbox each day, and we encourage whānau to provide nutritious, balanced foods that will keep them fuelled for a busy day of learning and play. We work closely with families around any allergies, intolerances or individual dietary needs.
Food is also an important part of everyday life at Montessori. Children regularly take part in food preparation and baking as part of our Practical Life curriculum – preparing and sharing food, trying new things, and celebrating different cultures and special occasions together.
These everyday experiences help children develop independence, confidence and practical skills, as well as Grace and Courtesy around eating and sharing meals together. As an Enviroschool, children are also involved in growing, harvesting and preparing food from our own environment.
What if my child still naps, or is toilet training?
That’s absolutely fine. We recognise that children develop at their own pace, and work closely with whānau to support each child’s individual needs and routines while gently encouraging growing independence.
Children who are still toilet learning are supported with patience, consistency and respect, with regular communication between kaiārahi and whānau.
For children who still need a daytime sleep or rest, we provide a calm, comfortable sleep environment and follow their individual rhythms. Sleep and rest routines are discussed with whānau so that we can provide consistency between home and Montessori.
We close for public holidays, for approximately two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period, and for one week during the July school holidays for our winter break. Families are provided with our closure dates well in advance each year.
Is there currently a wait list to enrol my child?
Children can join our Montessori learning community from two years of age, beginning in our dedicated early learning environment at Garland House before transitioning into our 3 - 6 Montessori classroom.
Places are limited, and availability varies depending on your child’s age and preferred start date. We encourage whānau to submit an Expression of Interest as early as possible so we can keep you informed about availability and upcoming places.
How is Montessori Blenheim different from other ECE classrooms?
At Montessori Blenheim, our environment is carefully prepared to feel like a world made especially for children — calm, beautiful, purposeful and designed around their natural development.
Rather than everyone doing the same activity at the same time, children have the freedom to choose meaningful work, follow their interests and learn at their own pace. Authentic Montessori materials, hands-on experiences and long periods of uninterrupted learning give children the time and space to develop deep concentration, independence, confidence and a genuine love of learning.
Our kaiārahi observe and guide each child individually, introducing new learning when they are ready while nurturing their social and emotional development too. Children learn to care for themselves, one another and their environment, becoming capable and confident members of their learning community.
Do children stay at Montessori Blenheim past their 5th birthday?
Yes. Many children remain at Montessori Blenheim beyond their fifth birthday, and this final stage of their Montessori journey can be an incredibly special one.
Our 3–6 Montessori environment follows the three-year Montessori cycle, with the final year often bringing together so much of the learning and independence children have developed over the years before. It can be a wonderful period of academic, social and emotional growth, as older children deepen their learning, take on greater responsibility and become confident leaders within their classroom community.
Our kaiārahi include teachers with both Early Childhood and Primary training, and our high teacher-to-child ratios allow for responsive, individual teaching and learning. When the time comes to transition to kura/school, we consider the whole child — their confidence, independence, emotional and social development, and learning — rather than viewing their fifth birthday as an automatic end point.
What food should I pack for my child?
Children bring their own lunchbox each day, and we encourage whānau to provide nutritious, balanced foods that will keep them fuelled for a busy day of learning and play. We work closely with families around any allergies, intolerances or individual dietary needs.
Food is also an important part of everyday life at Montessori. Children regularly take part in food preparation and baking as part of our Practical Life curriculum – preparing and sharing food, trying new things, and celebrating different cultures and special occasions together.
These everyday experiences help children develop independence, confidence and practical skills, as well as Grace and Courtesy around eating and sharing meals together. As an Enviroschool, children are also involved in growing, harvesting and preparing food from our own environment.
What if my child still naps, or is toilet training?
That’s absolutely fine. We recognise that children develop at their own pace, and work closely with whānau to support each child’s individual needs and routines while gently encouraging growing independence.
Children who are still toilet learning are supported with patience, consistency and respect, with regular communication between kaiārahi and whānau.
For children who still need a daytime sleep or rest, we provide a calm, comfortable sleep environment and follow their individual rhythms. Sleep and rest routines are discussed with whānau so that we can provide consistency between home and Montessori.
