PARENT INFORMATION
Abacus Montessori Nursery & Preschool offers a small, family-run centre.
Opening hours: 7:30am - 5:30pm
Morning session: 7:30am to 12:00pm
Afternoon session: 1:00pm to 5:30pm
CLOSED Weekends, Public holidays and also 2-3 weeks at Christmas/Summer Break
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 .
Abacus Montessori Nursery & Preschool offers Nursery care from 0-2 years, where confidence and independence are actively promoted. Toddlers and infants are empowered to discover their own limits by allowing them time and space to learn and develop at their own pace. As well as developing practical life skills, their routines allow continuity between home and preschool.
Once a child has turned 2 they transition to the preschool until they reach 5 years of age, the main focus in the preschool is to encourage children’s natural curiosity and to help them to “learn how to learn”.
Abacus Montessori Nursery & Preschool offers the Pod (school transition) 3½ - 5 years. The Pod is designed to prepare 3 1/2 to 5 year olds for their transition to school or Kura. This program includes extending children pre-writing, pre-reading, pre-maths, computer, independence and social skills. This environment provides a solid foundation so that your child can go to school as confident capable learners.
FEES
20 FREE ECE hours for 3-5 Year olds
Hourly fee $7.80
Daily Fee $58.00 maximum
Weekly Fee $238.00
Full time ECE $150.00
Per Week (Maximum) $238.00
To claim the 20 hours ECE subsidy, you’ll need to fill out a 20 hours ECE Attestation Form which we can provide you. For more information about the 20 hours ECE subsidy visit the Ministry of Education website. Centres can only claim 6hours per day of funding above the 6 hours full fees apply. For more information about the 20 hours ECE subsidy visit the Ministry of Education website.
You may also be entitled to a WINZ subsidy. This depends on individual circumstances. You can find out more on the Work & Income website, or please get in touch so that we can help you.
Family Boost is a childcare payment designed to assist eligible households with the costs of early childhood education (ECE). It's administered by Inland Revenue and is intended to help low-to-middle-income families with young children.
Check it out at: https://www.ird.govt.nz/familyboost/new-to-familyboost
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
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
We have developed a “Birthday Ritual” where the children have the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays through their own creativity. Our birthday ritual is typically introduced during the morning with a birthday box being presented to the birthday child. The birthday child is invited to carefully hold the birthday box while the Montessori teacher explains to the children.
In the birthday box is a selection of items with which the birthday child can create their own crown and playdough cake. It is a meaningful way to further their understanding of birthdays, numbers, the concepts of months and years.
Birthdays are a big deal to preschool age children. Each child is excited for the birthday child and also looking forward to their turn.
What's a ritual? It's a routine with meaning. Children love ritual. Repetition, the comfort of belonging, the sense of wonder, magic, and celebration. These all create a bonding experience that nurtures children. Rituals hold families and communities together.
Children love rituals and gain a sense of safety from them. It is a lovely ritual and it makes the birthday child feel valued and special.
FAMILY PHOTO
Please bring in a photo of your family for our Whanau Vine. The children enjoy spotting their family members on the wall.
COLLECTING AT THE END OF THE DAY
Supporting Smooth Afternoon Transitions
While we understand that families are booked and pay for care until 5:30pm, we kindly encourage arriving for pick-up by 5:15pm. This allows time to gather your child’s belongings, have a chat with their Kaiako, and ensure a calm and unhurried transition at the end of the day and be on your way home at 5:30pm.
Arriving to collect by 5:15pm also supports our team in wrapping up their responsibilities and finishing their day on time at 5:30pm.
We greatly appreciate your support in helping us maintain a respectful and well-organised environment for children, families, and staff
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.