See what the kids do

The Montessori vision

The Montessori method embraces the development of the whole child and is an approach based on "following the child." It fosters a love of learning in children. It helps them to build self-confidence, inner discipline and a sense of self-worth, and guides them towards positive, desirable social behaviour. While encouraging independence, self-reliance and a questioning mind, it also develops a respect for other people and a caring attitude toward the child's environment. All of this is achieved in the orderly, prepared environment unique to the Montessori classroom, under the guidance of specially trained teachers.

About Montessori


  • Maria Montessori (1870 - 1952) recognised that education starts at birth and that the first six years, being the most formative both physically and mentally, are the most important. It is during this time that a child's absorption is the greatest, and attitudes and patterns of learning are formed that will last for life. Children have an innate desire and capacity to learn, enhanced by an appropriate environment.

    Read more...

Who's Online

We have 1 guest online

About Karuna

Print PDF

Karuna Montessori School is an independent, professionally operated, non-profit making, non-denominational, community based pre-school established in 1984 by the Northern Beaches Montessori Association. It closely follows the Montessori philosophy with AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) trained Montessori teaching staff. It is registered and accredited with the NSW Dept Education Board of Studies as a school catering for children in Kindergarten, and is licenced by the Department of Community Services (DoCS). Karuna Montessori School is a member of the Montessori Australia Foundation. The school is administered by a Parent Council which is elected each year at an Annual General Meeting. The Council holds parent meetings twice a term.

The school caters for 30 children, aged between three and six years, and has four staff members. The school generally follows the AIS (Association of Independent Schools) school term schedule, and the hours are as follows:

Morning: 9.00am to 12.00pm 5 days a week
Extended Day: 9.00am to 2.45pm 5 days a week


Ideally Montessori classes have a three-year age range i.e. 0-3 years; 3-6 years; 6-9 years; 9-12 years; 12-15 years and 15-18 years. Children usually start at Karuna in the term after their third birthday and attend only during the mornings for the first two years. When they approach their fifth birthday, depending on their own individual readiness, they are then invited to join the group in the afternoons as well. This third "extension" year is the equivalent to the Kindergarten year in the primary schools, but has the great advantage of excellent child-teacher ratios, with approximately ten children with 1 teacher. The curriculum is recognised by the Board of Studies in the same manner as other primary schools, but the teaching approach is different, building on and extending the skills already learnt in the early years.

Afternoon Care
Note that there is also an afternoon care facility, which operates from 12.00pm to 2.45pm, to cater for the mornings only children. This is staffed by the teaching assistants, but is operated in a separate room from the extended day group.

You can access more information about our school here.