St Bernards Montessori Pre School
Family-Centred. Child-Led. Montessori Inspired
About our Montessori
Welcome to St Bernard’s Montessori Preschool
At St Bernard’s Montessori Preschool, we provide a nurturing and inspiring environment where children learn, grow, and thrive through the true Montessori philosophy — guided by independence, curiosity, and a love for learning.
We are proud to be the only true Montessori preschool in Northern Ireland, offering an authentic Montessori education for children aged 3–4 years.
Funded Preschool Sessions
Our funded sessions run Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 11:30 am.
These places are available for children aged 3–4 years and are applied for through the Education Authority (EA) each January.
Applications for 2025/26 open in January.
Apply or View EA Criteria → (published in December)
☀️ Private Extended Care
We offer flexible private care options to suit your family’s schedule:
Breakfast Club: 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Private Montessori Sessions: 11:30 am – 6:00 pm
Our private sessions extend the Montessori experience beyond the morning, offering a calm, play-based, and purposeful environment where children continue to explore, learn, and grow throughout the day. Activities include baking, gardening, yoga and meditation.
We will pick up from Forge Preschool (including afternoon sessions), Rosetta, Stranmillis. If your nursery is in the area and not listed, please contact us. If you would like to book a space in our Montessori from 11:15 am click here.
Fees are payable September to June.
“Children see magic because they look for it."
Christopher Moore
St Bernard’s Pre-School
St Bernard’s Pre-School offers a welcoming and nurturing environment for young children to start their educational journey with confidence. Our pre-school is designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning in a safe, supportive setting. We provide a structured yet playful approach to early education, ensuring children develop essential social and cognitive skills through interactive activities and meaningful play. Our children will have the freedom to play in our indoor and outdoor classroom, daily visits to the garden, whilst their teachers observe and structure the classroom to allow them to enhance their learning. We will build up to be fully Montessori (our team are training at the moment for their certificate). Keep up to date with our staff development and services on our social media from children’s yoga training, forest school training and so much more! Our experienced staff are so excited to take care of your little piece of your heart.
Why Choose St Bernard’s?
Experienced and Caring Staff
Our team of qualified educators is dedicated to providing personalised care and attention, understanding each child’s unique needs and strengths.Play-Based Learning
We believe that play is at the heart of learning. Our curriculum incorporates a blend of guided play and educational activities to foster critical thinking, social skills, and emotional growth.Supportive Environment
St Bernard’s Pre-School is a space where children feel valued, respected, and encouraged to explore. Our classrooms are designed to inspire curiosity and provide a strong foundation for future learning.Preparation for Lifelong Learning
We aim to cultivate a love for learning that lasts a lifetime, equipping children with the skills they need as they move forward in their educational journey.We support parents for their child’s development
We understand our difficult parenthood can be, thankfully we have a team of experts behind us, so whether it is toileting, sleep, fussy eating, occupational therapy support, we can connect you*. Toileting at this age is a new skill, so do not worry, we are here to positively support you and your child.*there is a charge for each individual service with each practitioner, but they are all incredible at their job, more on this in the parent welcome pack.
Meet our Montessori Team
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Simran McDaid
FOUNDER
BA Hons Psychology
BA Hons International Business
Level 3-5 Childcare Learning and Development
Montessori Teacher Qualification
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Jonnah Neri
Montessori Manager
Early Childhood Care and Education - Level 5
BA Hons Early Childhood Studies
Montessori Teacher (in training)
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Ashleigh Hopkins
Deputy Montessori Manager
Early Childhood studies Foundation
BA Hons Early Childhood Studies
Montessori Teacher (in training)
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Holly Palmer
Childcare Assistant
Level 3 in Childcare Learning and Development (in training)
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Lauren McLelland
Afterschools Manager
Level 3 & 5 Childcare and Learning and Development
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Emma Caulfield
BA Hons Developmental Psychology
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Sarah Stewart
Childcare Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
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We welcome children aged 3-5 years, providing age-appropriate activities and a supportive environment for each stage of early childhood development.
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Our daily schedule includes a mix of structured activities, free play, story time, outdoor play, and rest periods. This balanced approach helps children develop social, cognitive, and motor skills.
Our main focus is providing 2.5 hours of play in the child’s choice of area, opportunity to play inside or outside throughout the day, ability for the child to choose when they are hungry, rather than designated snack times. The teachers will observe and scaffold their learning.
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Yes, we provide healthy snacks throughout the day. We will prepare hot meals, but children can bring a packed lunch for their evening meal.
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Yes you can.
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Yes, we know how stressful this can be, so we will ensure that we are flexible and collect the children. There may be an additional cost.
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Yes, we have limited spaces for this. Alternatively, they can start at 11:30-6pm
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We will have themed days:
Monday - Science
Tuesday & Thursdays- Little Nature Explorers (outside for the majority of the day-starting in the garden and then venturing to Cherryvale wooded area). Packed lunch is needed for these days.
Wednesday - Great Little Bake Off (get ready for some tasty treats)
Friday- Woodwork
Days are subject to change before Sept 25, but this is the type of fun your little one can expect.
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Yes, as we may go on outings to the local park and the Montessori Method shows that longer period of time within the prepared environment, means that children can be focused and develop their learning.
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In the January before your little one is due to start, via the EA website. Keep an eye out on our socials for key dates.
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Please drop us an email contact@thelittlechildcarecompany.family
Get in Touch with us
Whilst our places are funded, we have a few spaces for self funded. So, if you are ready to take the first step in your child’s learning journey, drop us a message.
Please fill out the form below to express your interest in Primary 1 or Preschool wraparound and share a few details about your child’s needs and your family’s preferences. Please use the other page for the afterschool club for p2-p7’s.
Once submitted, our dedicated team will review your information and reach out within 48 hours to discuss available enrolment options, answer any questions, and provide an overview of what you can expect from the St Bernard’s experience. We look forward to partnering with you to ensure a smooth and joyful start to your child’s early education.