Welcome to 2016

Dear Families,

Welcome to 2016! Thank you for choosing Montessori Academy to partner with you in guiding your child’s unique development journey. We would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our new families, and a very warm welcome back, to all of our returning families. We look forward to seeing what truly amazing learning discoveries your children make with us throughout the year, as we help lay the foundations for their future learning.

New Parent Communication App: School Stream

Montessori Academy are currently in the process of trialling a new Parent Communication App called School Stream.

The Montessori Academy School Stream App will enable mobile communication of the daily reflection, urgent updates and alerts, upcoming events, curriculum information, and much more.

The parent communication app will first be trialled at Barangaroo, Leichhardt and Auburn Montessori Academy in the first quarter of 2016. Following a successful trial, the app will then be rolled out to all other Montessori Academy childcare centres from March 2016.

Parent Education Seminars

Later this year Montessori Academy will be hosting Parent Education Seminars at various locations across Sydney.

These seminars are designed to give back to our community of families, and bring our Montessori community closer together.

To provide your feedback about what type of seminar you would like to attend, please fill in the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3PJ6DFJ

Public Holiday Closure on Tuesday 26th January

Please be advised that all Montessori Academy childcare centres will be closed on Tuesday 26th January for Australia Day.

Parent Newsletter

Alexandria Fun Day 30th January

On Saturday 30th January, Montessori Academy will be hosting a Family Fun Day at our newly opened Alexandria campus.

The event will be held from 10am – 1pm at 160 Bourke Road, Building 2, Sydney Corporate Park, Alexandria.

Alexandria’s Family Fun Day will feature Kindifarm’s baby animals, face painting, a sausage sizzle, coffee truck, and one-on-one tours of the centre.

All ages and families from all Montessori Academy childcare centres are welcome! To RSVP please email Alexandria@montessoriacademy.com.au by Wednesday, 27th January.

Refer a Friend for $200 Cash Back

Do you have a friend or family member who is looking for childcare?

To reward our happy families, Montessori Academy will provide a $200 cash back incentive to parents that refer a friend to one of our childcare centres.

To obtain the $200 cash back, the family you refer must complete the enrolment process, and mention your name at the time of commencement.

The $200 cash back will then be credited to your account, and deducted with your next fee payment.

For more information please email feedback@montessoriacademy.com.au.

January 2016

FAQ: Why Do Montessori Classes Group Different Age Levels Together?

Parents frequently ask why Montessori classes group children by two to three year age groups, when primary schools group students by their birth year.

This question is often promoted by parents that are concerned that the younger children will struggle and take up all of the teacher’s time, or that the older children won’t thrive because they aren’t given the stimulation and challenges they need to progress. These concerns are misguided.

The reasons why Montessori classrooms are grouped in two to three year age groups are based on the following principles:

1. Community

In mixed age classes, children tend to stay in the same class for two to three years. With two-thirds of the class returning each year, the culture in the classroom tends to remain quite stable. This allows children to focus on learning instead of transitioning to a new classroom each year.

2. Role Modelling

Grouping children of different ages encourages them to develop strong social and collaboration skills. In mixed age classrooms, the younger children learn from the older children, and the older children learn to serve as role models.

3. Development Based Curriculum

The Montessori program and materials in the toddler and preschool classrooms are designed to address the development needs that are common to both age groups. This allows children to find peers that are working at their current level without having to skip a grade, or be held back, which could leave them feeling emotionally or developmentally out of place.

“If the human personality is one at all stages of its development, we must conceive of a principle of education which has regard for all stages.” ~ Doctor Maria Montessori

Montessori Education Montessori Activities Explained: Walking on the line

Between the ages of three and six, children need to practice, perfect and consolidate the coordination of movement. For this reason, Doctor Maria Montessori established the Practical Life exercise ‘Walking on the Line,’ as it helps children develop balance, and strengthens the mind’s control of the body’s movements. The ‘line’ used in this exercise is generally an ellipse on the classroom floor.

Preparation

1. The teacher invites the children to come and participate in the lesson. 2. The teacher shows each child where to sit near the line. 3. Once the children are seated, the teacher will sit in an area where they can see, and be seen, by all the children.4. The teacher will explain to the children that they will be showing them the exercise ‘Walking on the line.’

Presentation

1. The teacher will invite the children to stand on the line at an equal distance from each other. 2. The teacher will then begin to play soft calm music, and ask the children to begin walking in a normal manner, keeping the same distance from the child in front of them. 3. Once the teacher stops the music, the children take a seat where they are. 4. The teacher will start the music again, and stop it, when the children begin to lose their concentration and coordination. 5. The teacher will then ask the group what they thought of the activity, and what they learned. 6. The teacher will encourage the children to walk on the line whenever they like.

‘Walk the Line’ has a number of extensions that apply the same principles of coordination and balance, including:

• Walking the line heel to toe• Walking the line while carrying a hand flag or bell • Walking the line while carrying a glass of water • Walking the line while carrying two different objects

Montessori in the MediaWhy Montessori is Ruining the Australian Childcare Industry

All over Australia, people in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector are screaming and pulling their hair out asking “Why Montessori?” There are conversations about how Montessori is ruining the intake of mainstream childcare centres and services, and how every parent seems to be ceasing care to go to a Montessori childcare service. Montessori is single-handedly ruining Australia’s ECEC sector, well ruining society’s ‘norm’.

Parents are choosing Montessori services because the philosophy aligns with how they parent, with how they believe education should be for their child, and because the method prepares their children for a world they don’t know about yet. Parents want what the ‘normal’ childcare sector can’t provide.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is heavily ‘Montessori aligned’, but it is not actually the same. Just because a childcare service aligns to the EYLF does not mean that both Montessori and mainstream childcare services are the same.

Montessori education is more than just child based learning. Montessori is highly detailed and takes hours of preparation, as well as months of in depth training to really understand how a classroom in a Montessori childcare service actually works. There is an incredible amount of detail behind everything that is put into a Montessori environment.

The Montessori classroom is not just about jumping on Pinterest, seeing something that has Montessori placed on it, making it up, putting it on your shelf and saying, “That’s Montessori.” As an Educator in a Montessori childcare service, you are continually asking “Why?” “What is the purpose?” “Where is the control of error?” and “What is the isolated concept?”

From the size and type of jug used in a pouring activity, to the type of crayon chosen for an art tray, every little detail is questioned and fine-tuned so that it meets the development needs of each unique child.

Children in a Montessori classroom are observed with such skill, that only ongoing development and training can provide. Every tray of activities, and every presentation of a material, is created and designed for the children in that class, at that specific point in time. The EYLF is a step in the right direction, but it’s not Montessori.

Three years ago I charted and predicted the Montessori movement in Australia, and it has continually met every expectation I have had. I was just a parent with a twelve month old child who saw what parents wanted, and yet no one in the ECEC sector was providing it fast enough.

The reason Montessori will ruin the ECEC sector as we know it, is because it’s not just about the first six years of life; it’s about life. Montessori education is a way of life that is taught in and outside of the four walls we traditionally know as a classroom.

Image: Prince George on his first day at Montessori Nursery School.

The Montessori movement was here long before Prince George was enrolled at a Montessori Nursery School. The amount of Montessori Long Day Care centres with waitlists, and the amount of new Montessori childcare centres opening, proves that supply is coming for that demand. Those childcare centres and services that do not take the parents of today’s children seriously, will be left behind.

Out of all of the ‘alternative’ forms of education, Montessori has the strength to become mainstream due to its commonly recognised areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language and Culture. Every parent gets to a point in their child’s life where they can go with the grain of society, or go with their gut and choose what they believe in their heart is right for their child. This difficult decision is easier when you investigate Montessori and see the words ‘maths’ and ‘language,’ as these two areas are drilled into us by society as being extremely important.

This is why Montessori, rather than Reggio or Steiner, will become the philosophy of education that parents choose to form the foundations of their children’s education. It is more comfortable to be able to see those areas in the curriculum, even though the holistic approach to education is the key.

Just wait and see what the sector looks like in 24 months. Montessori is the future of education, and Maria Montessori saw it over a century ago.

Source: http://www.iamMontessori.com.au/blogs/news/73498245-why-Montessori-is-ruining-the-australian-child-care-industry

Community and CraftMilk + Food Colouring Experiment

Materials:

• Food colouring • 300mL milk • Dish washing liquid • Tray • Water dropper

Method:

1. Pour milk onto a tray or bowl. 2. Add a few drops of food colouring to the milk. 3. Fill the water dropper with dishwashing liquid. 4. Add drops of dishwashing liquid to the milk and food colouring mix. 5. Watch the patterns swirl! The dishwashing liquid breaks down the fat and protein in the milk to makes lots of patterns and swirls.

Source: http://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/crafts/

Community Events in January and February

Darling Harbour Australia Day 2016: Every year on 26 January, Darling Harbour hosts the nation's biggest harbourside party, when FREE Australia Day festivities see Aussies of all backgrounds celebrate together at one of Sydney's most lively and iconic destinations.

Date: Tuesday 26th February Location: Darling Harbour @ Darling Harbour NSW 2000 More information: http://www.whatsonsydney.com/events/festivals-films-expos/darling-harbour-australia-day-2016-30492

Free Birdlife Australia Walks At Sydney Olympic Park: In celebration of World Wetlands Day, Sydney Olympic Park will host two FREE guided walks for families on Sunday 7 February.

Date: Sunday February 7Location: Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush More Information: http://www.whatsonsydney.com/events/walks-talks-short-courses/free-birdlife-australia-walks-at-sydney-olympic-park-30521

Chinese Garden Of Friendship Chinese New Year Celebrations 2016 – Year Of The Monkey: Celebrate Chinese New Year at Darling Harbour’s Chinese Garden of Friendship with a host of entertaining cultural and creative events for the whole family.

Date: Saturday 6 Feb - Sunday 21 FebLocation: Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling HarbourMore information: http://www.whatsonsydney.com/events/festivals-films-expos/chinese-garden-of-friendship-chinese-new-year-celebrations-2016--year-of-the-30517

Art Classes for Children After School And Saturday Mornings 8 Week Term: School children five years and over can explore their creativity in weekly classes and school holiday workshops, or even an art party. Term art classes for children are offered after school and on Saturday mornings.

Date: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday More information: http://www.whatsonsydney.com/events/kids-world/art-classes-for-children-after-school-and-saturday-mornings-8-week-term-30514

New Immunisation Requirements for January 2016

New immunisation requirements will be coming into force from 1 January 2016 in relation to family assistance payments (the Commonwealth) and the enrolment of children in child care (in NSW). The Commonwealth is making changes to family assistance payments under the ‘No Jab, No Pay’ measure to increase childhood vaccination rates, including that conscientious objection will no longer be an approved exception for eligibility for the Child Care Rebate, Child Care Benefit, and Family Tax Benefit (Part A - Supplementary).

Parents who do not fully immunise their children up to 19 years of age will no longer be eligible for family assistance payments with exceptions for children with medical contraindications or natural immunity for certain diseases and those on a recognised catch-up schedule.

For more information see: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/families-and-children/benefits-payments/strengthening-immunisation-for-young-children.

Quality Improvement Plan

Each Montessori Academy centre has a Quality improvement plan that we use for self improvement. The Quality Improvement Plan evolves around the 7 Quality areas:

QA1 Educational Program and PracticeQA2 Children’s health and safetyQA3 Physical environmentQA4 Staffing ArrangementsQA5 Relationships with childrenQA6 Collaborative partnerships with familiesQA7 Leadership and service management

We welcome your expertise, input and suggestions. To access more information visit: www.aceqa.gov.au

Children’s Arrival Time

For children to gain the most out of the Montessori Program, we encourage parents to drop their children off by 8.30am for individual work time.

It is essential that children consistently attend during the Montessori Work Cycle if they are to achieve their full potential in the classroom.

Family Feedback

If you ever have any questions please don’t hesitate to speak to the Nominated Supervisor at your centre or feel free to get in touch with Head Office: (02) 9799 4771 or feedback@montessoriacademy.com.au.

Sign in and Sign out

It is essential that each child is signed in and out daily. Please be reminded to close the door properly after you enter and when you leave.

If your child will not be attending on a day that they are scheduled please phone the centre before 10am and advise the Nominated Supervisor or a staff member of your child’s absence.

Please be reminded we do not allow make up or swapping of days. Fees will still need to be paid for absences, public holidays, or any family holidays you may take throughout the year.

Unwell Children

The health and safety of all children is a major concern for all Montessori Academy childcare centres. Parents are asked to please keep sick children home until they are well.

This is particularly important if your child has had a fever, infectious disease, diarrhoea, or been vomiting within the past 24 hours.

If your child is unwell while at day care, a member of staff will ask you to collect them. If your child has been sick with an infectious disease, you will be required to provide a medical certificate confirming that your child is well enough to attend childcare.

Important Information