GETTING STARTED
Enrolling your child is an easy process, just complete the enrolment form and return it to the centre. The Centre Manager or Administrator will discuss with you the availability of hours you require and answer any other questions you may have. If spaces are unavailable, we will do our best to accommodate your bookings as soon as possible by placing you on our waiting list.
In order to complete enrolment for your child, you will need to bring the following
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Complete and signed enrolment form
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Immunisation Record
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Birth Certificate
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$20 Enrolment and Administration Fee
WHAT WE OFFER?
Abacus Montessori Nursery & Preschool offers a small, family-run centre with extended opening hours of 7:30-5:30. We are proud to have a team of highly skilled teachers, operating at a minimum of 80% of all teachers being fully qualified throughout all rooms. In contrast to many New Zealand centres, we cap our ratio at 1:8 and 1:4, and it is often much less. Many larger centres have a child/teacher ratio of 1:10 and 1:5. We feel our ratio is crucial when providing a supportive and safe environment .
LUNCHBOX GUIDELINES
Spending the day learning and playing requires the right sort of fuel. Good nutrition can lead to better concentration and improved learning, as well as healthy growth and development. It is our purpose to provide an environment that recognises the importance of all children’s health, including the value and significance of fresh healthy food available to all children. We are a chocolate and chip FREE environment.
See our food policy for further details
Here are some ideas:
GROWING FOODS Growing foods encompasses fruit, vegetables, meat, grains and dairy. Eg. Sandwiches, sushi, left overs, eggs, pasta/rice. We suggest Growing Foods total 70% of your child’s lunchbox.
Water is the best drink for children and we ask for you to bring in a water bottle, so that the children can independently help themselves throughout the day.
SOMETIMES FOODS Snack food still comprises food from the main food group (Growing Foods) but these have higher levels of fat, sugar and salt, e.g. crackers, biscuits, baking and some muesli bars.
We suggest Sometimes Foods total 30% of your child’s lunchbox.
TREAT FOODS We ask parents and caregivers to exclude treat food from the children’s lunches.
Foods high in energy and high in fat, sugar and salt: Packaged foods, processed foods, fruit substitutes, and deep fried foods. These foods should not be provided because they provide minimal nutritional value, are low in vitamins and minerals, and also contain significant fat, salt and sugar contents.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need any further advice regarding lunches.
Thank you for supporting our healthy eating policies.
NuDe Food
It is our purpose to provide an environment that recognises the importance of all children’s health, including the value and significance of fresh healthy food available to all children.
The best type of NuDe Food consists mainly of fresh food, so that it is healthy and nutritious plus environmentally friendly.
NuDe Food is simply food that is not wrapped in foil, plastic or commercial packaging.
We encourage lunches go NuDe to promote a healthy body and a healthy planet – it only takes one small action to make a big difference.
● Water in drink bottles only please. H2O is the way to go.
● Please see our recommendations of foods from our Growing Foods and Sometimes Foods lists.
Establishing the importance of this in children at a young age can have lifelong benefits not only for themselves but for the broader community as well. It is our aim to continuously grow a healthy, happy, energised culture within our community.
For further information and resources please ask any of the Abacus Team.
Our Montessori philosophy and safer teacher-to-child ratios foster self-guided learning, developing concentration, self-discipline, independence, and self-esteem. This solid foundation prepares your child for school success.