Airdmhor Montessori

Airdmhor Montessori, located at 74 Halswell Road in Christchurch, New Zealand, is an establishment that holds a century of history within its walls. Originally built in 1902 for Peter Duncan, founder of the implement firm P and D Duncan, this two-storey wooden house named "Airdmhor" has been upgraded and improved to welcome children through its doors to learn.

At Airdmhor Montessori, we believe that children have a unique ability to absorb the culture in which they live. Our goal is to work in partnership with parents to provide a safe, creative, and loving environment based on the principles of Maria Montessori. Each child is nurtured and their individuality is acknowledged and enhanced. We believe that if the adults in this environment value and model respect for others, independence, collaboration, wonder at the world, a sense of joy, and peaceful relationships, these are the values that young children will absorb. These values will serve as the ropes they can adjust their sails to reach their destination.

The history of Airdmhor is deeply rooted in the community. Peter Duncan's grandson, Les Bennetts, recently visited the institution and shared stories about his grandfather and the house. We have been gifted copies of photographs from the early days of Airdmhor, which are displayed throughout the center to provide a visual learning opportunity for the children to explore the history of their preschool.

Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method, was a pioneering figure in education. As the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School, she became interested in education through her work as a doctor. Dr. Montessori approached education as a scientist, observing children in the classroom and finding ways to help them reach their full potential. Her method of teaching proved to be highly effective, and she traveled the world establishing schools, lecturing, and writing books and articles.

The Montessori philosophy is based on respect and care for all children. The ideal Montessori teacher is gentle, sympathetic, and always looking for the best in each child. Dr. Montessori also believed in teaching peace, cross-cultural understanding, and care for the environment. Her approach, developed almost a century ago, remains at the forefront of current educational thinking and is well-suited for providing excellent nursery education for all children.

Airdmhor Montessori is dedicated to upholding these principles and providing a nurturing and enriching environment for children to learn and grow. We are located at 74 Halswell Road, Hoon Hay, Christchurch, New Zealand. For inquiries, please contact us at 03 339 8052 or email e.low@xtra.co.nz.