Dún Laoghaire School
School Information
Who are we?
St Nicholas Montessori Teachers are dedicated to fostering a love of learning while allowing each child to interact and explore at their own pace in a non-competitive environment. We invite you to visit our school and witness first-hand the beauty of a Montessori environment, where you will see freedom of movement, concentration, collaboration/interaction, and the joy for learning that children experience in our school.
Funding and Fees
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.
School Places
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.
How to Apply
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 Building
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
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.