Montessori Introduction

Although developed in the early 20th century, Montessori remains a buzz word in education today.

Dr Maria Montessori developed what she called “the prepared environment” which helps your child develop according to his or her own capacities in a non-competitive environment. The goal of a prepared environment is to help your child develop self-confidence and independance that inspires a love of learning which will remain throughout their life.

Sharavogue Montessori emphasises the individual as opposed to group development. Dr Montessori believed that the most effective impulse to learning was self motivation, so a prepared environment does not force information and skills on to the child but rather they acquire the knowledge themselves.

To this end, children of mixed ages can all progress individually in a Montessori class – in fact it is ideal to have mixed ages. Each child can move at their own pace and work to their full potential regardless of age. It is the perfect preparation for your child for starting school.

Montessori Programmes

Our total care programme provides full day care for the Montessori age children.They are provided daily with breakfast, fruit morning snack, a home cooked nutritious lunch and afternoon tea. When class finishes they have a number of extracurricular activities as well as plenty of time for outdoor and indoor free play.

The activities include French & Music, Drama, Singing, Cooking, Arts & Crafts & Sports.

During summer holidays and school mid- term breaks, there is a full Camp programme prepared with lots of activities and outdoor play. Children who are eligible for the ECCE grant receive a monthly reduction for 38 weeks of the year (September – June inclusive).

ECCE

Sharavogue is an approved provider of the ECCE scheme.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. The scheme is offered in Sharavogue for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week, 38 weeks of the year.

All children are entitled to 2 full academic years on the ECCE scheme. The programme is available to all children from the September after the child has turned 2 years and 8 months.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs sets the age eligibility and funds the scheme. The funding is provided directly to early years settings for children that they have registered on the ECCE scheme. Parents can contact their local County Childcare Committee with any questions they have about the ECCE scheme or find out more information on www.citizensinformation.ie.

In delivering the ECCE scheme to our Montessori children, we adhere to the principles of Maria Montessori Education, Síolta and Aistear (the national framework for early years care and education).

This table shows the eligibility for ECCE by year of birth.

All our Montessori teachers are fully trained with degrees in Montessori / Early Childhood Education from reputable colleges such as St. Nicholas Montessori College, AMI & DIT.

We are very lucky to have such a great team of dedicated and experienced staff, many long-term who work together as a cohesive team to ensure the best is brought out in the children. They all embrace the Sharavogue ethos of nurturing individuality.

All staff are fully Garda vetted on employment.