Q. What is Hollybush Montessori offering ?

A. We will be creating a safe and friendly environment for the children where they can fulfil their full potential. They will be able to enjoy the use of our beautifully crafted Montessori materials which cover all fields of learning. Their social skills will greatly benefit from being taught in this small bilingual English/French setting, where they will be a given top quality education from fully qualified teachers. They will also have full use of the playground and fields around Hollybush Montessori school and enjoy regular outings.
We are offering three hour sessions from Monday to Friday at the price of £ 19.95 per session. Education Nursery Grant available, voucher scheme accepted.

Q. How do I arrange to visit Hollybush Montessori School?

A. We are always happy to give you a tour of the nursery so you can turn up unnannounced if you wish and pick up some information on the permises. However, it would be a good option to organise an appointement together so that staff can be organised and Ms Delphine Otto-Bruch can give you and your child all the attention you deserve.
Simply call 07984 133 318 (Delphine's mobile) or 01732 460 493 (home number) to arrange a visit. We aim to be as flexible as possible.

Q. From what age can my child start at Hollybush?

A. Your child can start as soon as he/she has turned two. However, we can arrange previous setting down visits to gauge together wether your child is ready or not to start nursery and if yes, would he/she be able to cope with a whole morning of intense stimulation and for how many mornings. We are flexible and will work with you and your child.

A. There are absolutely no rules to how many sessions a child should attend. Every child is unique and will have different needs from another child. We normally recommend 2 sessions to start with for the simple reason of continuity (imagine your child modelling a clay hedgedog and having to wait a whole week to varnish it, or missing out on making Tarte Tatin...). It's totally up to you to how many sessions you would like your child to attend, and we try to accomodate your needs as much as we possibly can.

Q. When is my child entitled to the education nursery grant ?

A. You can claim for your child's grant from the age of three and unfortunately not before. We will be taking care of the paperwork automatically, all you need to provide is a copy of your child's birth certificate and I will be providing you with forms to fill in and return in due time. Childcare vouchers are also accepted.

Q. How often do I get feedback on my child's progress ?

A. You will be getting one to one feedback as you pick your child up at the end of every session. In addition to that, we hold regular parent's evenings where we will have your child's records on hand and will be talking together about his/her progress, improvements and what could be achieved next; how you can help at home. We also hold Montessori equipment demonstration evenings, when we show you what your child has been working with in the classroom and how does the Montessori equipment works. Furthermore, we can always arrange to make an appointment to meet Delphine Otto-Bruch, the nursery owner/manager, on any queries you may have or if you have any concerns about your child.

Q. How much of the french language will my child be exposed to?

A. Delphine and Francoise are in charge of the bi-lingual education of your child. We do not claim that your child will be coming out of school speaking perfect french, but he/she will have a good understanding of the language, basic vocabulay but most important, a real interest and a relaxed attitude to foreign languages. Being very much an international school, your child will also be exposed to other foreign languages which is an unvaluable source of knowledge and understandingof the world.

Q. How and when do I pay for fees?

A. An invoice for each half term will be sent to you before sessions begin. You can either hand in a cheque to any member of staff or simply do a direct debit to hollybush Montessori school, account details will be given on request. Remember : school vouchers are accepted.

Q. How qualified is your staff at Hollybush ?

A. My staff is absolutely admirable and dedicated, working all well together. As a result, we have a very low staff turnover which enables your child to be and stay settled.

At the moment, there are five of us :

  Myself, Delphine Otto-Bruch, directress and 15 years of experience in childcare, qualified as a Montessori teacher in 1998 (St Nicholas Montessori center, London and first aider, Special Needs Coordinator).

  Catherine Pruce (Kent and Sussex Montessori center, St Nicholas London and first aider)

  Lorraine Connor (Kent and Sussex Montessori center, French degree and first aider)

  Francoise Siret (nursery work, qualified teacher for "la jolie ronde")

  Jeannette (our trilingual wonder, English, French and German).

Q. What kind of envents do you normally host throughout the academic year?

A. We are always very busy preparing for parent's evenings, held as least twice a year, punctuated by evenings of Montessori equipment demonstrations by our qualified teachers. We also throw a Christmas party including games, face paint, a little singing show in both English and French for the parents, lots of delicious international foods and a visit from Father Christmas. There's also our Easter egg hunt, a sSports day at the end of the summer term and a visit from Zoolab, a visit from the library, visits from the emergency services. We also aim at looking into various cultures by celebrating events such as Chinese New Year, Bastille day, 4th July to name a few. Parents are kept informed about these events through the half-termly newsletter.