Childcare options in Geraldine

Geraldine Kindergarten is proud to demonstrate:

• an environment that is well-resourced, attractive, and fun while offering opportunities for children to work together, solving problems and adding complexity to their learning
• an innovative teaching team who are national leaders in using technology in Early Childhood Education
• 100 % trained qualified and registered teachers
• positive and exciting programmes ‘that are developed specifically for the age group of the session to challenge and stimulate the children’
• a focus on positive aspects of children’s behaviour through encouragement and reinforcement
• clear and consistent boundaries and support of children to understand these
• the encouragement of children to take responsibility in caring for themselves, the environment, other children, and adults

Mission

Children and whanau develop mindful learning through Whanaungatanga/relationships.

Vision

Habits of Mind in a bicultural context enables successful learning for our children and community

Looks like

• collaborative, innovative, articulate, and confident children
• teaching that is responsive to individual learning styles
• children who have strategies for mindfulness
• a learning community sharing learning locally, nationally and globally

Guiding principles

• use habits of mind in a bicultural context
• challenge the norm, be innovative and creative
• create a culture of excellence
• be leaders at the front of change
• manaakitanga

Haywood Cottage Montessori`s Il Nido 0-3 yrs and la Casa are unique Early Childhood education centres in Geraldine.

These warm and welcoming havens for children from 0 to 6, are renowned for their calm atmosphere and beautifully, richly resourced learning environments. They are a place of friendship, where children are nurtured and learn to nurture. Our philosophy invites children to take ownership of their learning and growth, and to aspire to their full potential.

Our specialist learning environments invite exploration and offer a multitude of opportunities for children to gain confidence, grow strong friendships, and enjoy life!

Haywood Cottage Montessori supports your child on their own individual learning journey. We have established small, high-quality centres, where each child and their family can be part of something very special. We have several 'family events' during the year, including our famous Pink Rose Mother`s Day Morning Tea.

la Casa (the house)

Our Casa is a place of discovery and wonder as each child follows their own unique learning journey. Teachers (Montessori guides) are trained to carefully observe each child so that they can be supported according to their individual needs. Our prepared environments are beautifully crafted and richly resourced enabling your child to choose from a wealth of experiences. ​Children can engage with various spaces, including a full child-sized working kitchen, an art studio, and our inviting outdoor classroom.

We believe in children finding their own way, with the support of sensitive and knowledgeable adults. The Casa prepared environment is comprised of five main curriculum areas: Practical Life exercises, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language Arts, and Cultural Studies. Each child will be working within these areas both individually and in a group, at their own pace. There is also emphasis on collaboration, caring for others, and seeing oneself as part of a greater whole Every child at the Casa feels a strong sense of ownership and belonging - they know the house is theirs.

This sense of turangawaewae, of a place to stand and be strong is integral to why children feel so powerful here.

The three year grouping of all Montessori environments,  0- 3 years, 3-6 years, 6-9 years etc. fosters a natural, family-type dynamic, allowing younger children to be nurtured and guided by the older, more experienced members of their learning community. In turn, our oldest children learn leadership skills, a strong sense of responsibility, and have true confidence in themselves. During the three or more years at Montessori also means that the adults in your child`s education get to know them very well and are able to build the deep understanding needed to effectively support your child.

Welcome to Haywood Cottage Montessori

Haywood Cottage Montessori`s Il Nido 0-3 yrs and la Casa are unique Early Childhood education centres in Geraldine.

These warm and welcoming havens for children from 0 to 6, are renowned for their calm atmosphere and beautifully, richly resourced learning environments. They are a place of friendship, where children are nurtured and learn to nurture. Our philosophy invites children to take ownership of their learning and growth, and to aspire to their full potential.

Our specialist learning environments invite exploration and offer a multitude of opportunities for children to gain confidence, grow strong friendships, and enjoy life!

Haywood Cottage Montessori supports your child on their own individual learning journey. We have established small, high-quality centres, where each child and their family can be part of something very special. We have several 'family events' during the year, including our famous Pink Rose Mother`s Day Morning Tea.

il Nido (the Nest)

​​​A child’s early years are a time of great sensitivity to bonding in order to establish trust in the world; as well as language, order, sensorial impressions, and development of coordinated movement, both fine- and gross-motor.​ Our school environment supports the child’s development of movement, independence, and capacity for active exploration. 

​Most infants follow a routine, though not necessarily a strict schedule, that allows for feeding, active time, and nap. This routine repeats itself throughout the day and provides important predictability for young children. In our Infant environment, our Montessori guides maintain a consistent rhythm outlined by parents that responds to each child’s needs and compliments what parents do at home.

All of our environments have several special features that also set them apart from typical day-care settings:

• We support any parent who wishes to nurse their baby. Our Infant room welcomes parents who would like to breast/bottle feed during midday visits.
• We use low tables and chairs, instead of highchairs, for snacks and solid meals. We believe this provides young children with a valuable first experience at gaining independence with self-feeding.
• All of our environments have several special features that also set them apart from typical day-care settings:
• Our sleep rooms are tranquil spaces, where children rest safely and peacefully, and are constantly monitored. 
• A beautiful garden designed especially for infants, with soft surfaces and a variety of spaces to explore, plus equipment.