All of our schools are registered with the ECCE scheme, with the National Childcare Service and with the AIM Support service.

ECCE
Children from the year of eligibility for the ECCE scheme can avail of the ECCE service provising 3 hours of free education and care each day for 38 weeks of the year. Most parents avail of the additional half hour service to make a 3 1/2 hour school day. Many parents also then avail of an additional after school service. ECCE funding is currently in place for 2 years. At the end of this time children can continue in school until age 12 on a fees basis.
For more information about ECCE please see this link: Citizen’s Information re ECCE

National Childcare Scheme
The NCS is a scheme to support parents with the cost of childcare. There are both means tested and non-means tested options. NCS funding is paid directly to us, the school, and is deducted from your fees invoice.
For more information please see this link: Citizen’s Information re NCS

AIM – Access and Inclusion Model
AIM provides additional funding to support children with additional learning needs.
Please see the AIM website for more information.

School Fees
The difference between our school fees and any funding that you as a parent are entitled to from the above funding schemes, will be subejct to a fees invoice. You can choose to pay in full at the beginning of the year or in instalments. For further details on fees please register your interest and our School Operations Manager will respond to you.

At the St. Nicholas Montessori School we work with and educate children aged 2 yrs and 8 months to 12yrs. Children are taught in multi-year classrooms: ages 3 to 6, 6 to 9 or 9 to 12. There are four 3 to 6 classes, two 6 to 9 classes and one 9 to 12 class. In order to reserve a place in any of these classes, please Register your Interest using the form provided on this page.

The application process is straight forward – click here for full details and for the enquiry form. We encourage all new parents to visit our school before confirming a place for their child. Deposits are required in order to secure your place and these are deducted from your first fee invoice.

Our Dun Laoghaire school is situated in what was the Mariner’s church on Adelaide Street. Our school entrance was the original church entrance through to the nave which is now part of the Maritime Museum at the back of the school. The school is spread over 4 floors with the youngest children on the ground floor and older children on the upper floors. It offers a very spacious P.E. hall, STEM room, library, Arts room, sensorial garden and large classrooms. Stained glass windows, high ceilings and exposed beams are some of the features which help establish a relaxing Montessori environment suitable for early years education. You can take a virtual tour by clicking on the link on this page and you are, of course, welcome to visit anytime.

Our teachers, led by Principal Mary Farrelly, are fully qualified Montessori teachers, many of whom have graduated from St. Nicholas Montessori College. Bringing the benefits of Montessori practice and philosphy to the classrooms, enables our teachers to create and work in meaningful environments which support the rich development of each child’s unique attributes.

Montessori education encourages children to develop 21st century skills. These include critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. Ensuring that children have the skills they need to succeed in the digital age is one of the most important issues for 21st century education.

So how does Montessori education prepare children for the challenges of the 21st century?

Through careful observation the Montessori teacher encourages children to follow their passions, learn from their mistakes and to be self-motivated. Communication and social skills are nurtured by teaching children respect for themselves and others. Montessori materials teach children to think critically and to problem solve through practical experience.

The Montessori teacher’s training focuses on individual growth and development. Observation is a key skill through which the Montessori teacher follows the individual interests and needs of each child, providing lessons and guidance when necessary. The Montessori teacher’s role in the classroom is to maintain an inspiring learning environment to encourage the child to be self-motivated.

The main objective of the Montessori approach is to help children reach their maximum learning potential while becoming well balanced individuals able to cope with the pressures of 21st century life.

At the St. Nicholas Montessori School we work with children aged 3 to 12. From the ages of 2 yrs and 8 months to 12yrs, the Primary School Curriculum is taught in full using Montessori methodologies.

This means that St. Nicholas children benefit from the full breadth of the primary school curriculum whilst also being able to benefit from the whole child development approach of the Montessori method. Children enter the post-primary school system in the normal way, accessing provision in the state and private sectors in the same way that children from any national school would.

Maria Montessori began her pioneering work with many children who had additional learning needs. And today, the Montessori method continues to be extremely effective in supporting learners who may face additional challenges when learning in mainstream classrooms.

St. Nicholas Montessori schools are co-educational. All pupils participate fully in all learning activities in a totally inclusive approach, regardless of gender.

St. Nicholas Montessori Society and School does not adhere to a specific religious doctrine and as such can be described as Multi-denominational.

The Montessori method includes the spiritual development of the child and this is encouraged throughout a child’s time in a St. Nicholas school. However, this spiritual development is not developed through the lens of a particular religious doctrine. All religions are respected and valued equally. Different belief systems are explored in an educational manner and the main religious festivals of a range of religions are celebrated in an age appropriate manner.