Bella Montessori is a family owned Montessori early childhood centre.  Christine manages the centre and Steven takes care of the finances and the garden. Our daughter Allie works for us part time. We believe in quality, the sort of quality that we want for our own family so our values are at the forefront of who we are and what we believe in.  Our philosophy is shaped by our Montessori philosophy and te whariki. Te reo and Tikanga Maori are woven into our daily practice.

Our Montessori programme supports children's emerging interests and teachers encourage children to spend as much time as they need to investigate their interests. We believe relationships are the most important aspect of supporting children’s learning. It is the whole aspect of positive relationships that help children develop a sense of belonging which allows children to venture out, take risks, ask questions, problem solve, make choices and explore their knowledge knowing they feel safe and secure.  

Christine is the centre manager, she has owned and operated three early childhood services and has been employed by the Education Review Office as a review officer and the Ministry of Education as a senior advisor. Christine is passionate about providing high quality education to children in Kaiapoi.  Pam, Jackie and Andrea are our preschool teachers.  Allie works in the office, in the nursery and in the preschool.  Amy and Alison are our nursery teachers, Amy also teaches dance and music in our preschool.  Allie, Andrea and Amy are in training with Aperfield Montessori Trust. 

Staff

Christine Kirkeby  Manager - Master of Education (Educational Leadership),  Bachelor of Teaching ECE, Post Graduate Diploma of Evaluation, Diploma of Teaching - ECE, Aperfield Montessori Diploma, Diploma of Child and Adolescent psychology - in training. First Aid Certificate, Teacher Registration.

Allie  - Teacher/ Manager, Aperfield Montessori Diploma Book One, Two, Three.

Amy  - Diploma of Teaching (ECE), In training - Aperfield Montessori Diploma - in training , Teacher Registration.

Jackie - Graduate Diploma of Teaching, Aperfield Montessori Diploma, Teacher registration

Pam  - Diploma of Teaching and Learning (ECE), Teacher Registration

Alison - Bach of Teaching and Learning (Primary) Teacher Registration

Andrea  - Diploma of Teaching (ECE), Aperfield Montessori Diploma - in training. 

Leisa Tiweka - works part time - Aperfield Montessori Diploma completed.

Samantha Finch - teacher in training 

Sarsha Johnson - Support Teacher.