BestStart Montessori Rongotai

Banana
Worms
Life Cycle
Gardening
Maths
Beads
Painting
Posting
Tunnel
Rongotai-montessori-carpentary
Rongotai-montessori-view
Rongotai-montessori-peacelily
Rongotai-montessori-watering
BestStart Montessori Rongotai is a long-established Montessori early learning centre with just 29 children aged from 2 to 6 years old. We are open all year long, only closing on public holidays. We offer a stimulating programme that focuses on building independence, empowerment, high self-esteem, and social skills. BestStart Montessori Rongotai is located in the hub of the community with easy access to the local library, park, recreation centre and Kilbirnie shops.

Our vision 

Kaitiakitanga - Peaceful Guardianship

At BestStart Montessori Rongotai we pride ourselves on our relationships with our children and families, allowing time for children to build their self-esteem and confidence in our little Montessori house. We see our children thrive when they are given responsibility, independence and support from our community. Our teachers are dedicated, passionate and committed to making a difference in the lives of children and our families tell us that they feel this love in our centre.

What does Montessori look like? 

Through observation we allow children to show us where it is they need us most, allowing us to then support their individual needs and interests.

Children learn in a carefully prepared environment where they can calmly select our Montessori curriculum materials designed to challenge and encourage a child’s natural curiosity to learn in five curriculum areas:

Practical life - Where your child learns skills such as pouring, spooning, threading. They prepare food by peeling, chopping, grating, and baking.  A practical fun way to perfect and control their body and develop their independence and ability to take care of themselves and others. 

Sensorial - Children have the opportunity to develop and refine the use of their five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Our unique sensorial materials provide the foundations for music, song, dance, and art. 

Maths - Your child will have the opportunity to learn about numbers, what they are called, look like and the magic of how numbers work when you add, subtract, divide and multiply them. When out in the community children connect this learning by identifying what numbers, shapes, measurement, and size looks like in our world. 

Language - Our language rich community supports children to recognise letters, learn their phonic sounds and how letters and sounds can be put together to make words and sentences ready for reading and writing later down the track. In our centre you will hear the many and varied languages of our families being recognised and valued. 

Science - Children discover the wider world through geography, botany and zoology and look for the answers to their important ”why?” questions. 

Ready for school 

By using our Montessori materials children are naturally developing the skills, understanding and knowledge that will prepare them for the next step in their learning journey - attending school. We work to ensure that transitions are positive and supported through our strong connections with local schools as well as ensuring families feel supported during this next chapter. 

“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed”.- Maria Montessori 

We invite all interested parents to visit our Montessori centre – simply give us a call on 04 387 1192 or email us on mont.rongotai@best-start.org and we can arrange a time and day for one of our teachers to show you around. 

Montessori Playgroup

Our Playgroup sessions are designed to help parents learn more about Montessori principles and how to create an optimum home environment

Video Gallery

Our Peaceful Environment
Taking responsibility and building concentration are key parts of our Montessori curriculum
Kotahitanga - coming together to help and empower one another
Developing your pincer grip is important for those later years and can also be very entertaining
Quality Service Award 2023

kind words from our parents

Parent

Through my husband’s work my family were lucky enough to get the chance to visit Wellington for a few months this Summer. Our twin daughters attended Montessori Rongotai and I was blown away by the level of support we received and the quality and commitment of the staff. I saw my girls develop and thrive in the calm, interesting and fun environment. Having experienced other preschool classes both in New Zealand and here in Scotland, I really would rate Rongotai as exceptional and say that any child that is fortunate enough to spend time there is exceptionally lucky.

Parent

We love Montessori Rongotai. We feel like his needs are recognized & met. He is challenged and encouraged. Our family is included and frequently updated. We like the atmosphere, the children are happy, well cared for, all included and friendly. The staff are lovely and work hard to accommodate us and build good rapport. Thanks for all your hard work, it doesn’t go unnoticed :-)

Parent

Easy settling in. Lovely environment and teachers I feel happy to leave her with them. And feel great she is getting an awesome education.

Parent

I believe that my daughter is getting the best preschool experience possible. This is due to her teachers and the environment and caring culture they foster.

Parent

Loving the environment, the dedication, and the experience of the teachers. Communication over my child’s development and needs is always smooth, current, and productive. The teachers work closely with us to guarantee continuity and consistence at home. Our son is thriving, growing with a positive mindset, and developing confidence in his own discoveries, as well as in his social life. Seeing our children impatient to go to the centre every morning is the best reassurance we made the right decision.

Parent

My son has had a wonderful experience since he’s joined his school. I can see how much he is learning, how well he is adapting and how eager he is to show me all that he does. And the teachers are wonderful. My son is thriving thanks to his teachers.

Parent

The whole team at BestStart is always willing to help and make sure the kids are learning exciting new things all the time. They care for our kids as they were theirs and it makes me happy and comfortable leaving my kids in their care.

Parent

Our teachers are fantastic, they’re support system and organisation is great.

Parent

The teachers at Montessori Rongotai are amazing - kind, passionate and child centred. I feel my kids have been fortunate to have received a high level of care and stimulation. Hannah is phenomenal - the best teacher that I have experienced from 3 centres here and overseas. My kids adore her and so do we. I appreciate the communications and flexibility - they seem to understand the challenges of working parents and do what they can to make our lives easier. I couldn't have selected a better place for our precious children at this critical time in their lives.

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