Thank you to all you lovely, amazing, warm-hearted teachers who selflessly go above and beyond what you are expected to do. You have made my son’s experience of preschool so amazing that I can see his hunger for more!
Looking for Ficino School?
For children who are further along their education pathway, visit Ficino School.
Visit us at Ficino Preschool
See how our nurturing curriculum balances the needs of your child!
Our goals for your child
At Ficino Montessori Preschool, we believe in helping each child to fulfil their potential and discover their full capacity as a human being.
The vision we have for your child is as an empowered life-long learner who approaches life with truthfulness and respect. We see them growing in self-belief and confidence as they are exposed to our holistic curriculum which balances their social, intellectual and physical needs.
We see them demonstrating empathy, integrity and humour while learning to be good collaborators, problem solvers and experimenters.
Young minds really do matter and we are mindful of our role in helping them to develop positively.
About us
Ficino Montessori Preschool is an intimate boutique early childhood centre for children aged between three and five years old.
Our environment
We believe in simplicity. The learning space has been designed to be welcoming and calming, allowing the children’s attention to focus on the individual or group activity chosen or presented.
Our staff
We have both full-time and part-time staff at the Preschool which ensures we can offer the best teacher-to-child ratios for your child.
Our values
Our values help guide our students’ beliefs, attitudes and behaviour.
Our uniforms
Preschool children wear a uniform that gives them a clear identity and a sense of belonging and pride in their Preschool.
Preschool life
Preschool life
The children follow a daily programme that includes Montessori work, exploratory play, restful pauses, music, physical activity and structured tasks.
Inside and outside play areas offer children the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that include opportunities for social, physical and creative play. Numeracy and literacy awareness, knowledge and skills are naturally integrated throughout the day.
Children’s sense of self-worth as competent and capable learners is enhanced through activities that are directly related to their interests, needs and abilities.
Our philosophy
Philosophy is the love of wisdom and a thirst for knowledge. The Preschool programme weaves practical philosophical exercises and Montessori learnings together with the Early Childhood Curriculum “Te Whariki”.
The resulting experiential learning for children places significance on values, relationships and children’s contributions to their own learning and that of others.
Mindfulness is an important aspect of the programme that teaches children how to be aware of their thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and the surrounding environment. In today’s busy world, the ability to centre themselves allows children to pay attention to the task at hand, an important skill to take through their lives.
Our programme
Preschoolers’ will follow a 3-hour Montessori work cycle in the morning in which they choose the activities they wish to engage in. Research into this form of Montessori learning has supported the idea that children are much more focused if they choose when they are ready to have a break or move to a new activity. Externally imposed timetables are very disruptive to a child’s concentration, so the 3-hour period of learning works best for them.
Children are able to choose productive and challenging work which they can focus on, quietly finish and tidy away. They can rest and recharge without interrupting others who are still working, before repeating their individual sequence.
There will be familiar activities such as blocks, puzzles, colouring activities and simple games together with stations through the Preschool dedicated to the five Montessori curriculum areas.
Our curriculum
Children will be exposed to key areas of learning, with a focus on character building (through manners, values and virtues) incorporated across all.
These learnings are self-correcting, allowing children to discover themselves whether they have completed the task accurately.
Enrolment
Ficino Preschool invites applications for children between the ages of three and five years.
Please complete an Enrolment Form and submit it to the Preschool together with:
- 1x Passport style photograph of the applicant
- Application fee of $100
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate/Passport
- Non-New Zealand students – copy of Passport/Visa
There are several sections that should be completed with Preschool staff which are marked on the form. These are regarding your child’s planned hours.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact:
Admissions Officer
Phone: +64 9 623 3385
Email: [email protected]
Confirmation
We will confirm your offer of a place as soon as possible, in writing. The Letter of Acceptance usually has mutually agreed familiarisation visits with days and times noted.
Our meals
We strongly believe a healthy, balanced diet is central to good learning. All the children’s food is provided by the Preschool, including morning and afternoon tea. The food served will be in-season and vegetarian, with one hot dish. It is prepared freshly each day in the Ficino School kitchen. Children with food allergies of gluten intolerance will be catered for as required.
Mealtimes are about more than just food at Ficino Preschool with our preschoolers’ learning to serve and care for one another. The daily appointment of ‘lunch monitor’s’ is an eagerly anticipated opportunity for them to practice their leadership skills.
Lunch will also be an opportunity for the students to practice their table manners and learn to use cutlery appropriately.
Parent testimonials
Families are such an important part of the Ficino Preschool community, and we value the input and involvement they have with us. We would love to share some of the comments we have received from parents:
