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.