Welcome to Benin Casa Montessori School

"I never had any worries about sending any of my five children to Maria McGrath in Benin Casa Montessori as I always knew they were in a very safe, caring and nurturing environment"
Mary Crowe, Parent

"Your school is unique in its building and in it's location; I have visited no other that would offer similar experiences of the natural world. It's unique in its atmosphere as you have stamped all with your loving interest in the child and created and maintained an environment in which he can be satisfyingly active. I have no doubt but that every child is enriched greatly by spending time in Benin Casa and every parent is affirmed in his/her rearing job by the way Maria shares in it"
Inspector from the AMI

The School

Benin Casa is a unique family run Montessori School located in Ballyvelly, Tralee, Co. Kerry. At Benin Casa we aim to nurture the homely atmosphere so important to small children going to school for the first time. Maria McGrath, owner of Benin Casa, has over 40 years’ experience in Montessori teaching and is proprietor of the longest running Montessori School in Tralee. The school has three fully resourced Montessori Classrooms, an outdoor classroom, mud kitchens, a messy play area and a large, open garden where children are immersed in nature. Children have the benefit of enjoying access to all these various environments throughout their time here.

The school is licensed by the A.A.T.I. (Association of A.M.I. Montessori Teachers of Ireland), accredited by the I.M.E.B and follows the Montessori philosophy and teaching principles. The school age range is from 2 years 8 months to 6 years of age.

Come and visit

Parents are invited to come and view the facilities and experience the unique atmosphere that Benin Casa has to offer in abundance.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please contact us on 0851135041 or email benincasamontessori@gmail.com to discuss the options available.

Going for a Walk in the Park

ECCE/NCS Schemes available

Benin Casa offers two government schemes:

ECCE Scheme (Early Childhood Care and Education)
The NCS (National Childhood Scheme)

Please get in touch to enquire if you wish to learn more about how these schemes are operated in our school.

Open Times

The school is open from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Our school calendar usually aligns with the primary school calendar.

Further information of our school holidays is available upon request.

What is Montessori?

Our Montessori Pre-School aims to assist in the entire development of your child. Montessori is much more than a method; it is a whole attitude of care and respect for young children. It is based on Dr.Maria Montessori’s observations of children. She developed a system of education whereby your child will develop their capabilities at their own pace and without being compared to others. It is based on the idea of freedom, within limits, so that your child will gain concentration, self-confidence and independence.

Facilities

Benin Casa Montessori is unique in many ways, not least for our provision of wonderful outdoor facilities. They include our outdoor classroom, our mud kitchen and sand area and our large garden area where children are free to explore and learn in a safe and secure natural environment. We use our garden every day as we feel fresh air and outside play are vital for your child's health and development. Our outdoor classroom is sheltered which means children can have somewhere to play in times of poor weather.