COVID-19 Update
Welcome to AMIGA Montessori
LONG DAY CARE AND KINDERGARTEN, A PROVEN ADVANTAGE
The AMIGA Montessori method of early learning is an internationally renowned and awarded structured learning model proven* to give children under five an advantage in reading, maths, English, creative writing, social skills, academic skills and the ability to problem solve and adapt.
Find a Centre Near You
Find an AMIGA Montessori Centre close to your location
Book a Tour
To join our Waitlist and book a Tour, please click on the button below
COVID-19 UPDATE
26 March 2020
[1] ONLINE MATERIAL TO BE MADE AVAILABLE
At AMIGA we distinguish ourselves from other childcare centres because we truly believe an outstanding education is essential in determining a child’s future opportunities and wellbeing. We consider that this belief is shared by all the parents that choose to attend our centres.
As such, from the end of next week we will be making available ONLINE MONTESSORI MATERIALS for your children to complete at home. This will allow your children to continue to learn and grow during this essential stage of their development. These online materials will be given to all parents enrolled in our centres. They will be provided through our online learning portal Tapestry. Materials will be provided each Monday and Wednesday. More information about the specifics of this program will become available at the end of this week. Together our community will endure through the coronavirus, and we believe this measure will ensure the least disruption to your children’s growth and development during this time.
[2] POSSIBILITY OF A STAGE THREE LOCKDOWN
Recent correspondence from the Victorian government has raised the possibility that a move towards a stage three lockdown within Victoria may occur. This would include the forced closure of childcare centres. In this scenario, we would be required to shut our doors, send all children home and stand down all our staff until the lockdown is lifted. There is no concrete information yet as to whether this lockdown will occur, when this would happen nor how long it would last.
In the event of a lockdown:
- All enrolled children will retain their spot in the Centre;
- They will continue to receive online learning materials; and
- All GAP FEES WILL BE WAIVED.
In this scenario, though parents will pay no out-of-pocket fees:
- Children will continue their learning via our online materials despite no fees being paid by parents;
- AMIGA will continue to receive essential CCS funding from the Government for each child enrolled, to pay our staff, and
- Our community will endure through this trying time.
[3] HEALTH AND HYGIENE:
At AMIGA, the physical and psychological health and well being of our children and staff are always our primary concern. In order to mitigate the risks posed by the current COVID-19 situation, we have increased our already stringent hygiene and safety measures to protect our staff and children.
The measures we have implemented include:
Introducing mandatory temperature and health checks on each child upon arrival. This is an unprecedented preventative measure that will achieve a far greater degree of safety
- Adhering to our robust public health approved infection control procedures, with ongoing training for all staff
- The provision of hand sanitisers upon arrival and throughout the centre
- Heightened enforcement of children and staff hygiene, such as regular and thorough hand washing in-line with Government advice
- Our centres have always been, and will continue to be cleaned with hospital grade cleaning products by experienced teams at the conclusion of each day
- Some children may be feeling a heightened sense of anxiety or stress during this time. However, enabling them to continue with their normal schooling routine in their familiar environment will lessen these effects. In addition, our staff are trained to speak with children calmly and reassuringly about any form of stress or anxiety they may be suffering.
Exclusion Policies and Social Distancing:
- The suspension of all incursions and excursions for the foreseeable future, and the exclusion of all non-essential visitors
- The enforcement of social distancing for all essential-visitors, including ensuring they do not remain in the centre for longer than necessary
- Enforcing a strict exclusion policy for children or staff that exhibit any cold or flu like symptoms
- Enforcing a strict exclusion policy for any child or staff member where they:
- have recently returned from overseas; or
- have had contact with someone who recently returned from overseas
- Requiring written medical clearance from a treating doctor for any child or staff member who has previously exhibited cold or flu like symptoms prior to their return to the Centre
Nurturing Young Minds
About Our Beautiful AMIGA Montessori Centres
The heart of the AMGIA Montessori method is the belief that children learn best when they drive their learning experience through their own interests and passions, at their own pace, and when their imagination is able to thrive without clutter or overload.
Purpose Built Childcare Centres
Professionally Trained Staff
Open for 50 Weeks a Year
Montessori Education Program
CCS - Child Care Subsidy Available
Government Funded Kindergarten Program
Meals Prepared and Cooked By Our Wonderful Chefs
Our Centres
Find one of our amazing AMIGA Montessori Centres near you
Our Partners
AMIGA Montessori is proud to work and be associated with the following Partners
CCS Calculator
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) Calculator to estimate your possible Child Care Subsidy
Careers
We are always looking for passionate and motivated people to join our team at AMIGA Montessori
What Is the Montessori Method ?
Montessori is a method of teaching developed by Dr Maria Montessori in 1907. Her educational methods are based on scientific observations of children’s natural learning tendencies and willingness to learn in prepared environments. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed the “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.
What is a Prepared Montessori Environment ?
Each classroom is divided into 5 main areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Enrichment, all of which are designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child.
What is a Montessori Practical Life Area ?
Young children respond to practical life materials and exercises which allows them to:
- develop physical coordination (pouring, scooping and sorting activities);
- develop care for themselves (personal hygiene, dressing activities, grace and courtesy);
- develop care for the environment (looking after the classroom, looking after the garden); and
- learn the skills of washing a table and food preparation to develop hand-eye coordination.
What is a Montessori Sensorial Area ?
The Montessori sensorial materials provide a range of activities and exercises for children to experience the natural order of the physical environment, including such attributes as size, color, shape and dimension. Examples of these materials are:
- the pink tower (series of ten sequential cubes, varying in volume);
- knobbed cylinders (wooden blocks with 10 depressions to fit variable sized cylinders);
- broad stairs (ten wooden blocks, sequentially varying in two dimensions); and
- color tablets (colored objects for matching pairs or grading shapes of color).
What is a Montessori Mathematics Area ?
In the Montessori Mathematics Area, the materials experienced by the children demonstrate such basic concepts as numeration, place value, addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. For numeration, there is a set of ten rods, with segments colored red and blue and “spindle boxes”, which consist of placing sets of objects in groups, 1–10, into separate compartments. For learning the numeral symbols, there is a set of sandpaper numerals, 1–9. For learning addition, subtraction, and place value, materials provide decimal representation of 1, 10, 100, etc., in various shapes made of beads, plastic, or wood. Beyond the basic maths materials, there are materials to show the concept of fractions, geometrical relationships and algebra, such as the binomial and trinomial theorems.
What is a Montessori Language Area ?
Montessori language materials provide experiences to develop use of a writing instrument and the basic skills of reading a written language. For writing skill development, the metal pencil insets provide essential exercises to guide the child’s hand in following different outline shapes while using a pencil. For reading, a set of individual letters, commonly known as sandpaper letters, provide the basic means for associating the individual letter symbols with their corresponding phonetic sounds. When the child is proficient with the majority of the sounds, he or she can create words using moveable letters from the “moveable alphabet”. When the childs’ hand is strong enough from using the metal pencil insets and other materials, he or she may write words with a pencil using the shapes he or she learned from the sandpaper letters. Following writing with the movable alphabet, the child begins to read words. Montessori language materials have also been developed to help children learn grammar, including parts of speech such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, articles, prepositions, adverbs, conjunctions and pronouns.
What is a Montessori Cultural Subjects Area ?
The Montessori classroom may also include cultural subject materials and resources which allows the child to learn subjects such as:
- geography (map puzzles, globes, cultural suitcases containing country-specific materials);
- science, such as biology, which includes the naming and organizing of plants and animals; and
- music and art.
What are the Montessori Materials for Development ?
The items found on the shelves in the classroom are referred to “materials” rather than “toys.” The children “work with the materials” rather than “play with the toys.” This allows the children to gain the most benefit from the environment by giving them a sense of worth. In the Montessori classroom, learning materials are arranged invitingly on low, open shelves. Children may choose whatever materials they would like to use and may work for as long as the material holds his or her interest. When they are finished with each material, they return it to the shelf from which it came. The materials are also self-correcting. When a piece does not fit or is left over, the child easily perceives the error. There is no need for adult “correction”, resulting in the child being able to solve problems independently, building self-confidence, analytical thinking and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishment.
About Us
AMIGA Montessori sets itself apart from other child care service providers in that it offers a structured learning platform to stimulate and nurture young minds. The proven and acclaimed Montessori philosophy and system, is delivered under a structured curriculum including practical life skills, sensorial experiences, mathematics, language (including reading and writing), cultures and sciences.
The scientifically based Montessori method was developed by Dr Maria Montessori, a graduate of the University of Rome, in 1890. Dr Montessori became the first woman to enter medical school in Italy. With the theme of Education and Peace, Dr Montessori ultimately received her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1949.
Our highly skilled team of teachers and centre staff are trained to deliver the highest quality Montessori education for your child, in an engaging, safe and stimulating environment.
When you visit one of our centres you will immediately see the difference in our learning model. We encourage families and children to see our centres for themselves and welcome centre tours. If Dr Montessori’s scientific research doesn’t convince you, come and experience it for yourself.
Testimonials
Our son joined the AMIGA Montessori Centre when the Centre was newly opened. He loved the new environment at his first visit.
He also enjoys the food all the time. Our son will be attending prep next year & I really appreciated all the support & help from all the educators.
Just to say a big THANK YOU to Alamanda Montessori for providing an excellent education and care for all the kids. My daughter joined this centre when it was opened and she was part of all the three levels Explorers, Discoverers and Pioneers. I can say with confidence that she always demonstrated exceptional knowledge and skills which she learnt from her educators as part of Montessori training. This centre is always well maintained, clean and education ambience is top level.
Sandeep Nitan
After 2.5 years of having Amiga Montessori as part of our extended family, I would highly recommend that any parent who is seeking care for their child consider the Amiga Montessori program. You will experience not only a nurturing environment for early childhood development, but you will also gain the advantages of the Montessori program – that will teach your children well-rounded life and academic skills to put them in good stead for their primary school years. We have particularly found the kindergarten program this year to be of a very high standard.
Justine
We love it here at Amiga Montessori. I looked at 10 or more different centres and none of them felt right and my son wasn’t real comfortable. Here my son played on our first look. Both my kids & I are feeling like family, only after being here a couple short months. The kids enjoy coming here and are very happy. Staff are friendly and great with the kids! I also travel 30 mins one way to bring my kids here.
Sarah R
Our ‘thumbs up’ for AMIGA Golden Grove comes directly from our daughter. She can’t wait to see “the kids” every day she’s there. For us, we’ve noticed so much development in her words, singing, routines of eating, putting things away where they belong (dishes, shoes etc). We hear her chattering about her friends by name. Amiga GG has instilled a sense of belonging, expression and happiness in her. We couldn’t speak more highly of the care & support in her development. Thank you to all that care for her.
Jo & Paul Jack
We just wanted to take some time to express how much we enjoyed being in Reservoir Amiga Montessori. My son is a student in Burrow room. Kids in the class room are amazing. The amount they learned was incredible and the most important thing is my son enjoyed learning and always wants to come back next day. All the teachers are very supportive. Thank you to Sehrish, Berish, Deepa who always address my concerns as well as my sons!
-Yojana R and Sushil R
We have been sending our son for the past few months to Amiga Montessori at the Wyndham Vale Branch and would like to say that his growth has been tremendous post going to the centre.
I would definitely recommend the centre to parents who want to send their kids to child care.
Amiga Montessori is an Excellent and the Best Child Care Centre in Wyndham Vale. Ever since my kid has been to Amiga he has been learning something new everyday and we, as parents are able to acknowledge his learning. The educators are fantastic that they always engage the kids in activities and also communicate the happenings about the child – his activities, habits, improvements etc. My Kid yearns to go to Amiga shows the fact the Amiga fraternity puts in their best efforts to make the environment a fun place for the kids to engage and learn. We are very happy to a part of Amiga!
I just want to thank all the staff for the incredible environment you provide for our kids. We are very grateful that my sons have that opportunity to learn and develop in an inclusive main st room environment. Just a short message to say huge thank you to staff for looking after the kids. I really feel blessed to have the boys in a place so lovely with all people who care.
Nikita Patel
We love the design and learning program that is provided at AMIGA Montessori. Staff are always happy and treat our son with the best care. We love the quality of care that my child is receiving. My son absolutely loves going to care everyday. As a parent it’s very hard leaving your child each day to go to work, but we are very happy with how much he is thriving.
Rarali Kaki
AMGIA Montessori is an excellent place for a child’s development. My son has attended to another service earlier but he was not happy there. But here at AMIGA Montessori he is very happy and he learns everything quickly. He especially loves yoga and Mandarine programmes. This Montessori is resourced with very good staff. I am really happy to have my son here.
anonymous
We enrolled our child in Point Cook Montessori about 7 months ago and have never looked back. Our child enjoys every moment spent at Montessori and also learns considerably well. We have noticed the educational programs and other activities at Montessori are also helping kids build their fundamentals. Educators are also quite friendly here.
Anonymous
Thank you to the teachers at AMIGA pointcook Montessori! We have witnessed your dedication and love in teaching your children. Ruhi has showed us so many things she has learned throughout the year. We are delighted with all your hardwork and dedication behind Ruhi. Everything about this centre is beyond incredible and I would recommend it to any parent.
Chakshuta Shah
Vishar has been attending the centre for over a year now. We have had a great experience and it continues to be the same. Thanks to Margi, Soram and Rajitha for taking care of Vishar so well. It’s a home away from home. Thank you. Special thanks to Sadisksha for always taking care of Vishar.
Viji Udayashankak
We are glad that we took the decision of enrolling our family in Montessori Boardwalk. The educators in the room have really nurtured them emotionally and educationally. As a parent, it is so hard leaving your child, but we are happy with how much they both are thriving. It is so delightful to pick them up from the child care and hear all about their wonderful learning experiences, their journey through different life experiences. This childcare is fantastic in all aspects.
Payal Patel