The Montessori approach to education really began in 1907, when Italy's first woman medical doctor, Maria Montessori, having developed an interest in education, opened her first 'Children's House' in Rome. More than one hundred years later her educational philosophy inspires practitioners and is implemented in Montessori schools around the world. The Montessori approach is much more than just a teaching method, however. It is a way of being in harmony with ourselves, with others and with our surroundings, and is based on empowering the individual learner to reach his or her full potential.

The Montessori approach to working with children is based on a deep understanding of child development underpinned by the theories of Maria Montessori and other educators and borne out by observation.

Montessori was convinced that children learn from their environment and so Montessori education takes place environments enriched with carefully sequenced materials designed to meet the children's developmental and educational needs, whatever their age and stage of development. Well-trained Montessori teachers guide them to reach their full potential by preparing the environment thoroughly and by intervening in their activity only when necessary. The approach is based on three key ideas or principles: children are born with a desire to learn, they each learn at their own pace, and their goal is to become masters of themselves and of their environment.