Music and Montessori: Kindy Preparation sessions
In 2024 we opened our first Kindy Preparation sessions for children 2.5 + years of age who have begun their independent toileting journey. The shorter hours of care are a gentle introduction to separation, knowing your child is in a beautiful, home like setting led by a caring, qualified and experienced educator. The sessions begin and end with music and movement to support the children to separate from the adult dropping them off and to connect with the educators and their new friends.
About Kindy Preparation
Sharon Hardgrave, our Diploma qualified, Montessori trained Playgroup coordinator, is our Kindy Preparation coordinator. We follow a ratio of 1 adult for 6 children. The group has a maximum of 12 children with an assistant working with Sharon.
Children will attend for a 10 week term. Currently enrolled children will have the first option for spaces for the next term. Kindy Preparation enrolment gives your child priority on our Kindy waitlist once they reach eligible age and are developmentally ready.
Family testimony
We enrolled our child at MIH on the recommendation of friends, and we could not have been happier with our experience. As an early childhood educator myself, I was particularly interested in finding a service that placed the child at the centre of their learning and encouraged independence and agency, making Montessori a natural choice for our family.
We initially attended playgroup, which offered a wonderful range of learning experiences to support children at different developmental stages. I particularly appreciated that each playgroup session incorporated singing and live guitar music. This was something I found difficult to find elsewhere, yet I believe music and song are such valuable and enriching experiences for young children and play an important role in early learning and development.
As our child became increasingly comfortable and confident in the environment, we moved into the three-hour drop-off Kindy program. This provided a gentle opportunity for her to develop greater independence, confidence and readiness for Kindy. By the time she was ready to transition to MCH, she was already familiar and comfortable with both her teacher and the learning environment, making the transition a very positive experience.
The gradual progression between programs provided a wonderful sense of continuity and allowed each transition to take place at a pace that supported her emotional development and sense of security. Rather than being faced with significant changes all at once, she was able to gradually build familiarity, trust and confidence within her environment, which made each transition feel natural and secure. We believe this has been particularly valuable in supporting her emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Montessori Auchenflower has provided age-appropriate learning opportunities that have supported our child’s development beautifully. We have seen this reflected not only in her learning, but also in her growing confidence, self-esteem, independence and resilience. We are incredibly grateful for the nurturing and supportive environment the educators have created and for the strong, positive foundation they have provided for her continued learning and development.
Jessica
Group A Session Times
| Thursday | 1145am – 2.45pm |
Group B Session Times
| Wednesday | 8.30am-11.30am |
(07) 3371 7090
19 Wienholt Street, Auchenflower QLD 4066
The Kindy Preparation sessions will be calm and enjoyable to support your child to develop:
- separation strategies to be a part of a consistent group of children and adults without you.
- social skills such as sharing, waiting, listening, cooperating and helping.
- communication and language skills including expressing their needs and wants to adults and other children
- confidence and independence when choosing an activity, using it and putting it away successfully and using and looking after their snack box, water bottle, hat and Kindy bag
- fine motor skills through specially prepared Montessori Practical Life activities
- gross motor skills during fun music group movement and games, and our indoor and outdoor obstacle course
- toileting independence supported by patient, kind and experienced educators
Contact us
To enrol now book a Playgroup free trial to meet Sharon and experience our beautiful environment.
Children and their family will be supported with kindness and consistency to be able to meet their individual goals.
Here is a testimonial from one of our first Montessori and Music cohorts who is now loving Kindy. Eva started attending MIH just after her first birthday. It was obvious after just a few weeks that the Montessori approach to learning at MIH really suited her curiosity and eagerness to explore her surroundings. It was wonderful for her development and independence.
Sharon is such a caring and warm presence at MIH, sharing her knowledge of Montessori education with us, while guiding Eva to explore and learn at her own pace. The practical skills she learnt were tangible, and translated positively into our daily lives. Eva continued visiting weekly until she was old enough to attend the Kindy preparation sessions. This 3 hour ‘drop and go’ session was an amazing opportunity to prepare Eva for Kindy the following year, and because she was so comfortable with Sharon and the environment already, the transition was easy.
The year after, she finally moved up the hill to MCH, this was another really seamless and stress-free transition for her. She had already met some of the educators and had visited the kindy to become familiar with the environment, which meant she was very excited to start. The educators definitely prioritised making the transition as worry- free and comfortable for the children as possible, which was lovely to see. Overall, our family is so happy that Eva has had the opportunity to learn and grow at both MIH and MCH, and we will be taking the same journey with her little sister! Jasmine
