­With its focus on developing confident children from an early age, Montessori-based school Kincottage was welcomed by the Mount Moreland community in January this year.

It all began in 2021 when Montessori-trained teachers Tatum Holder and Michaela Geytenbeek identified a need for something different to what other schools were offering.

They joined forces to create a holistic experience in response to what children suffering from severe post-Covid anxiety needed at the time.

What initially started out as a six-month commitment evolved into a permanent school that needed a long-term facility.

Enter the leafy enclave of Mount Moreland.

Curious to learn more, the Courier visited Kincottage recently.

Upon arrival, a brood of free ranging chickens, wide open spaces echoing with the sound of birds chirping in the surrounding forest, a herb garden and a brightly coloured hammock in a tree set the tone for the school prioritising the environment and forming individual relationships with the children.

Focusing on small groups, the school currently has 12 pupils in two classes – for three- to six-year-olds and six- to nine-year-olds.

Holder explained the age division, saying Montessori classes were “vertically grouped” along planes of development and milestones kids of certain ages needed to develop.

“The goal of the little ones is to gain independence, to do things for themselves such as getting dressed, making a mess and then cleaning it up. Task completion is very important as it builds self-esteem.

The older group’s goal is to work out who they are, understand the world around them, how they fit into it and how they can contribute to their world,” said Holder.

The pupils are treated to three Friday field trips a month to places such as museums, snorkelling outings and forest walks with ecologist Dr Craig Widdows, who teaches them about nature.

Encouraging children to observe different work spaces, Holder and Geytenbeek also invite adults to speak to the children about what they do.

Umdloti pottery teacher Terry Rens recently conducted a pottery class with the kids where they all made mugs, while Mount Moreland’s Wendy O’Grady took them for a Pilates class.

The teaching pair also apply their diverse qualifications in other fields to enrich the children’s learning experiences.

Holder’s bachelor’s degree in environmental management, training in specialised kinesiology and musical prowess as a guitarist and ukulelist, combined with Geytenbeck’s mechanical engineering degree, capped with a masters degree in sustainable development as well as being a qualified mountain guide, is a boon to the children’s day-to-day holistic schooling experience.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.