Learning Support in the Early Years
- horizonsmontessori
- Nov 24
- 2 min read
How Horizons Montessori supports every child to thrive
Kia ora e te whānau, and welcome to the first edition of The Inside Scoop — our new blog series designed to keep families informed about what’s happening in early childhood education and at Horizons Montessori.
Today’s topic is one that many families have questions about: Learning Support in the early years. What does it mean? Who is it for? And how does it work?
At Horizons, we believe that every child learns and develops in their own unique way. Sometimes, tamariki may benefit from extra support as they grow—and learning support is one of the ways we work in partnership with families to ensure every child has the best opportunity to thrive.
What is Learning Support?
Learning support is additional help provided to children who may need extra guidance in one or more areas of development. This may include:
Learning and acquiring new skills
Communication and language development
Social and emotional growth
Sensory or behavioural needs
Some children may need short-term support, while others may receive ongoing assistance. It’s all about giving each child what they need to feel confident, capable, and successful.
How is Learning Support Provided?
Support can happen in different ways—at our centre, at home, or during the transition to school or kura. It can be provided by our teaching team or by specialist professionals such as:
Early Intervention Teachers
Speech-Language Therapists
Psychologists
Advisors on Deaf Children (AoDC)
Education Support Workers / Teacher Aides
Kaitakawaenga (Māori cultural advisors)
Every child is different, so the level and type of support will depend on what is most helpful for them and their whānau. We take a team approach, ensuring everyone works together toward the best outcomes.
Early Intervention Service (EIS) — Important Update
The Early Intervention Service (EIS) currently supports children with developmental, communication, or behavioural needs until they start school.
However, beginning Term 1, 2026, the service is expanding.This means EIS will support children from birth right through to the end of Year 1 at school, creating smoother transitions and more consistent support for tamariki and whānau.
There are no changes to how referrals are made, and all current services remain available.
What This Means for Our Families
At Horizons, we approach learning support with sensitivity, respect, and openness. If we believe your child may benefit from additional support, we will korero openly with you and walk beside you through every step.
Families can expect:
Collaborative decision-making
Respect for the mana of each child
Strong communication and partnership
Advocacy for the best possible outcomes
A supportive transition into school when the time comes
A resource called the Service Journey is available to help explain what support looks like from early childhood to Year 1.
We’re Here to Help
If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s learning or development, please know our door is always open. We are here to listen, support, and guide—together.
Thank you for being part of our Horizons Montessori whānau. Supporting tamariki is a shared journey, and we feel honoured to walk alongside you.
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