BestStart Montessori the Gardens

At our centre, we proudly embrace the rich cultural diversity of our tamariki and their families.

Located in Dunedin's North East Valley, near the University and Polytechnic, we are a culturally vibrant community with many students having parents engaged in higher education. Celebrating culturally significant events such as Matariki, Chinese New Year, and Diwali is a core part of our tradition, helping to honor and integrate the unique identities, languages, and cultures of all our children. Our Montessori program is tailored to support each child's potential through self-discovery, with staff creating an engaging and relevant curriculum that aligns with the aspirations of their whanau.

Our well-resourced environment, filled with specially designed materials, promotes respect, inclusiveness, and a strong sense of community. Children learn from each other, fostering respect for themselves, their peers, and their surroundings, leading to self-confidence, concentration, and a sense of order and harmony. The Montessori philosophy instills a love of learning, healthy self-esteem, and social competence while fostering independence and self-discipline.

Montessori Method
Montessori education comes from observing children during their moments of development. Through observation, we allow children to show us where they need most support, allowing us to support their individual needs and interests. The environment is prepared to give the child autonomy and to help the child discover, concentrate and develop holistically. As part of our philosophy, we create a calm, peaceful environment to foster children's confidence and concentration.

Find out more about Montessori here