Farmhouse Montessori School

We extend a warm welcome to you and your children and hope you enjoy many happy years as a part of our community at Farmhouse Montessori. The Farmhouse Montessori School’s philosophy follows the educational approach founded by Maria Montessori. We believe that each child has a natural love of learning, that they are competent, inventive, imaginative and brimming with ideas and theories about the world around them. We aim to encourage each child's natural desire to learn and to foster their natural curiosity and love of knowledge.

We believe Montessori education is centred on the child, with the Educator guiding rather than teaching. We believe we are facilitators in the process of learning. Educators present the information to the child in a climate of mutual respect.

We believe that the development of self-esteem, tolerance, mutual respect and concern for others are traits that are nurtured in this environment. We have a deep respect for each child and therefore nurture their individual learning process by recognising potential and provoking thought, action, and collaboration through observation and planning.

We honour our sense of place as a learning experience. We provide an environment that encourages and supports the child's awareness of their importance in caring for each other and their role in caring for the earth and its inhabitants. Our school has a commitment in creating a sustainable environment.

In 1981 a group of parents who had been unsuccessful in placing their children into a Montessori School decided to form the Manly Warringah Montessori Society. Thus the first step was taken towards opening a school in the Manly Warringah area. Six months of hard work culminated in the commencement of the school in June 1982 at the Farmhouse Community Centre in Manly Vale.

The school opened with just 16 children. In 2002 we moved from Manly Vale to a temporary site in King Street and, after two years of demanding effort, finally moved into the present site in Bardoo Avenue North Balgowlah. At that time the school was able to provide a Preschool education for 60 children from two years of age.

Where more than one new pupil starts at the school at one time, integration to the class is greatly facilitated by staggering the introduction of these pupils into the classroom. This is a standard Montessori practice and is of benefit not only to the new student, but also to the other children in the class. The Principal determines each pupil’s commencement date. There is no fee rebate resulting from a late start.