For the first day of the new playgroup, long-time Victorian Montessori educator Michaela Rouch visited to offer advice and insight into the Montessori method for toddlers.

Utilising the new shelves, a set range of activities is on display, from which the children choose whatever appeals to them, play and interact with it and then return it before moving on.

The self-directed Montessori method is more commonly seen at school age. However, Ms Rouch said you didn’t need to wait until five years old to have development-appropriate activities in a prepared environment that teach hand/eye coordination, and cause and effect.

“The shelves are great, they’re not cluttered, not overwhelming,” Ms Rouch said.

The shelves were purchased with part of the proceeds from a trivia night held at the end of Term 1, organised by Montessori School staff and parents, which also raised funds for the playgroup.

Bega Men’s Shed president Eric Myers and former shipwright Bernie Watts were on hand for the playgroup’s first day.

“This was really our first major project since getting fully set up,” Mr Myers said.

“We’re pleased we could help.

“We put things back into the community because without the community we would not have a shed!”