My mission
To educate and nurture young children in a joyous,
supportive environment purposefully
created using a Montessori educational framework.
About MeMy name is Ania Steele and I love working with children and their families using the Montessori philosophy of child education.
I have 10 years experience as an MCI-qualified Montessori teacher, working with both young children and their parents. I first heard about Montessori whilst working for my Masters Degree in Special Needs Education. My lasting impression of the Montessori philosophy was that 'it makes sense'. I started by working in a Montessori nursery in the UK and subsequently gained a Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy. I have worked in Montessori settings in Poland, UK and now in my own Family Day Care in Tasmania. I am a registered Early Years Teacher in Tasmania. When I’m not teaching Montessori or preparing Montessori activities I like hiking with my partner Paul in the beautiful Tasmanian countryside, enjoying fabulous Tasmanian food, doing Pilates, gardening or communicating with family and friends in Poland and around the world. |
“The teacher, when she begins work in our schools, must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal himself through work. She must free herself from all preconceived ideas concerning the levels at which the children may be.” |
"Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission." |
Blossom Montessori environmentBlossom Montessori operates from a specially designated space in my home. The area is arranged with child size furniture and a full set of Montessori materials. The environment is beautiful, ordered, and designed for multi-age groupings, containing activities that respond to the specific needs of the age group. The arranged space includes my kitchen which has been adapted to support children's independence. This is where we have our weekly cooking activity. The prepared environment extends to a large garden to which the children have access at any time during the day. We also go out on regular walks in the neighbourhood and sometimes venture out on longer trips further away (ie. to the Botanical Gardens or TMAG)
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THE DAYThe opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
Blossom is closed on Public Holidays and during my annual leave which is planned long in advance. The day has a flexible structure, easy adaptable to children's needs. ". . . but I know happiness does not come with things. It can come from work and pride in what you do." |
9:00 – Children arrive. The earliest drop-off at 8:50
9:00 – Montessori work cycle, which includes free flow indoor/outdoor time and independent morning tea. Group time can be organised during the session, if required. 12:00 – Lunch 12:30 – Story time and rest time. 13:00 – Montessori work cycle, which includes free flow indoor/outdoor time and independent afternoon tea. 16:00 – End of care. Pick up 10 min before the end of care to allow time for handover and feedback. During each work cycle children have access to all curriculum areas indoors and outdoors. Children work independently on their chosen activities as well as participate in planed or spontaneous Montessori lessons. There are also small group activities including cooking, gardening, music and movement and woodworking. |