Simone: I am often asked how and why I started Jacaranda Tree Montessori, a Montessori playgroup in Amsterdam.
I am an AMI-Montessori educator from Australia. When I moved to Amsterdam with my husband and 2 children, I was completely surprised to find there were no Montessori playgroups. Particularly as the Netherlands is well known for its love of Montessori education – there are over 20 Montessori primary schools in Amsterdam alone.
So I decided to start the first Montessori playgroup in Amsterdam. Jacaranda Tree Montessori opened its doors in 2008.
We found an empty space in an old school building in the Titiaanstraat. It had beautiful light, high ceilings and wooden floors. However the building was soon to be renovated and we already needed a bigger location.
For 6 years, we had a space in the Derde Schinkelstraat. It was a bright, light location with lots of space for the children to explore and a decked area outside where the children enjoyed watering the plants, scrubbing the decks, and washing the windows.
In 2016 we moved into the Veerstraat, also near the Vondelpark. It was a cosy space in an old school building that we loved to explore. After more 6 years, the building was no longer available for rent and we were on the move again.
Fortunately we found our forever home in a beautiful old pakhuis (warehouse) on one of the most beautiful canals of Amsterdam, Brouwersgracht.
We now have 60+ children participating in our classes each week in our parent-toddler Montessori classes.
I am passionate about involving the parents/carers in the program so they can take what they have learned and apply it in their daily life. Regular parent workshops are held to assist parents in incorporating the Montessori principles into their own homes. Because helping the parents is just as important as helping the child.
If there is one message I would like to bring to each parent, it is to see the world through their child’s eyes.
In 2025, I had a peaceful knowing that it was time to step back from the classroom and am delighted that Yuliya will be taking over the playgroup as the new owner and directress. I’m excited to see the next evolution of Jacaranda Tree Montessori and how it continues to help you bring Montessori into your homes.
– Simone Davies