FAQs

As part of the Montessori programme, children prepare their own morning and afternoon tea. At Koru, we provide fresh fruit, vegetables, and a selection of snacks such as soft crackers, bread, cereal, and spreads like hummus, honey, and jam. This allows children to practise independence and make healthy food choices. We also enjoy baking with the children, and the food they prepare is often shared together as part of morning or afternoon tea.

As the morning session finishes at 1pm, this includes lunch. Your child should therefore bring a nutritious lunch in a named lunchbox. Koru does have a food policy and you are most welcome to read it at any time. Please, no sweets, nuts, chippies or high sugar or salt foods. If your child has special dietary requirements please inform the centre on your enrolment form.

A copy of the food items available for your child to eat for morning or afternoon tea is available on request.

We are limited in the number of children in nappies we can care for. Preference will be given to children who are fully toilet trained, however we do accept children in nappies (although pullups are preferred). This will be on a case by case basis.

Koru Montessori does have a minimum attendance requirement. These are linked to the age of your child. Children are more settled when they attend regularly. It gives them a sense of belonging and consistency. Regular and frequent attendance also enables children to form solid friendships.

• 2 year olds - a minimum of two days per week (can be half days)

• 3 year olds – 5 mornings per week or 3 full days

• 4 year olds – 4 full days per week

• 5 year olds – 5 days per week

We do not rest children at Koru. If your child requires a regular nap we suggest they attend either half days or alternate days to ensure they get the rest they need.

We recommend children have at least 2 to 3 transition visits prior to their official start date. During these pre-start visits the parents/whanau will be given opportunity to discuss their child’s individual needs and interests with their teachers and the child will be introduced to the teaching team, other children and some activities in the centre.

Parents are invited to complete a questionnaire which tells us about the child’s family, pets, interests, likes and dislikes, and what is important to you as a family.

• A lunchbox

• A change of clothes (named)

• A sunhat

• Footwear they can manage independently

• Gumboots during the winter months

• Sunblock – if they have an allergy or sensitivity to pump sunscreen

All our teaching team hold current first aid certificates. This includes training in the use of Epipens and allergy management. If your child has a food or other allergy we are happy to accept them and work with you on an individual management plan.

At Koru Montessori we consider relationships between the home and the centre essential to the wellbeing of your child and an integral part of the Montessori philosophy. We use Educa, a password protected online portfolio tool to communicate learning stories, newsletters, upcoming events and messages. We also print these learning stories to create a book for your child, which they have access to at any time in the classroom. There is plenty of opportunity for quick casual day to day conversations with the team at drop off and pick up times and also the opportunity for more formal meetings should you like some designated one on one time with the centre owner and or your child’s key teacher.

Koru Montessori is based in Sunnynook on Auckland's North Shore and welcomes families from many surrounding suburbs.

We regularly have children attending from:

Sunnynook

Milford

Forrest Hill

Campbells Bay

Mairangi Bay

Browns Bay

Albany

Glenfield

Takapuna

We have even had families travel from as far as Gulf Harbour, Puhoi and West Auckland!

Many of our families travel from surrounding North Shore suburbs because they value the authentic Montessori education and nurturing environment we provide.

Families often tell us that the calm atmosphere, experienced teachers and individualised learning make the extra few minutes of travel worthwhile.

We encourage all prospective families to visit the centre, meet our teachers and experience the Koru difference for themselves.

Koru Montessori offers an authentic Montessori education where every child is respected as an individual. Our experienced teachers carefully guide each child's learning, helping them develop confidence, independence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

For more than a decade, Koru Montessori has consistently received the highest level of recognition from the Education Review Office (ERO), reflecting our commitment to providing exceptional early childhood education.

Our goal isn't simply to prepare children for school—it's to help them develop the skills and confidence to thrive throughout life.