Contrary to previous reporting, there is another option for Montessori childcare in Wairarapa after Scuola Montessori was shut down last week.
Saturday’s Times-Age ran an article about the Scuola Montessori childcare centre in Solway being shut down on Thursday after the Ministry of Education deemed it to be non-compliant in four areas, including staffing ratios, health and safety, and child safety.
The sudden closure has left the parents of the 48 children enrolled at Scuola looking for new full-time childcare – preferably Montessori – at short notice.
The article quoted a parent saying that the other Montessori preschool in Masterton – Wairarapa Montessori, which is not affiliated with Scuola Montessori – only operates from 9am until 3pm during the school term.
This is not correct. Wairarapa Montessori on Lincoln Rd is open from 8am until 4pm throughout the year, except for the Christmas and New Year period.
Wairarapa Montessori is a locally owned business, is not part of a preschool chain, and has been established in Masterton for 27 years.
Owner Steve Lee said Wairarapa Montessori had some vacancies and is open for enrolments.
He said the centre takes children from two to five years old and has a higher staff to child ratio than is required.
“That’s great for the kids and great for the teachers as well,” Lee said.
“Our staff have stayed with us for years, ensuring a stable environment for children.”
- Wairarapa Montessori is at 114 Lincoln Rd, phone 06 370 1471.
