All of our staff will have undertaken training in the teaching of the Montessori Method of Education. The Montessori program is offered in sessions. Children will be with the same group of children for each of their sessions. For the duration of each session, staff are solely dedicated to working with the children on an individual basis. Each session is structured so as to foster a consistent routine. Children will have specific inside and outside time during the session. During the outside time children have the opportunity to socialise and play collaboratively. The inside aspect of the program focuses on a prepared environment where the many activities available are designed to stimulate the children's curiosity and problem solving skills.

Montessori materials in the classroom can be divided into three main areas:

• Practical Life Exercises
• Sensorial Materials
• Academic Materials

The environment will portray a sense of calmness and order where children develop the skills to organise themselves. Our sessions will have a maximum of 17 children in each group with 2 Montessori trained staff to facilitate their learning. Children choose their work and occupy their time responsibly. Children are able to move around the room freely and choose their activities as they feel ready. They may choose to practice the same activity many times before moving to another activity. Children may work at a table with their work on a tray or set up their own work space on the floor with a mat specifically used for this purpose. By using a tray or mat to define a child's work space, children learn to respect each others work and will walk around another child's space so as not to interfere. Children are also responsible to pack up their own work when they have finished and return it to the correct place ready for someone else to use. The area will always be tidy and respectful, a place where children enjoy working. The environment is prepared to promote independence and responsibility.

Our Montessori trained staff encourage children to use appropriate manners and show respect to each other at all times. It will be common for you to see at any particular time, a staff member working alongside of a child providing uninterrupted attention and carefully assessing their level of understanding and interest, or a staff member may be engaging a group of children in an activity. The outcome should be a group of children who are engaged in meaningful and productive 'work' and who are constantly challenged and are able to progress to the next step at their own pace of learning. Our Montessori trained staff are trained to observe the children's work and plan for each session before the children arrive. This enables them to be totally focused on presenting new challenges for the children and engaging them on an individual basis or in group work.