Full Day Toddler Classroom
Our Full Day Toddler program is a five day a week program for children who are 18 months to 3 years old. The light-filled classroom features dedicated areas for children to work independently or together using a variety of materials that allow children to develop language and vocabulary skills, fine and gross motor skills, social skills (grace and courtesy) and care of self (toileting/dressing/handwashing) and care of environment (sweeping/dish washing/plant watering) skills. There are spaces designed specifically for movement, art, reading, eating and food preparation, and self care/toileting. The bathroom is designed for young children with low toilets and sinks. A large rug provides a gathering space for daily circle times where guides share books, songs, and offer seasonal lessons. Outdoor playtime is essential and we use the on site playground and take short neighborhood walks to other nearby play spaces. Children eat together during community meal times where they set their own placemats and dishes out and serve themselves. During naptime the curtains are drawn, sound machines come on and the children are settles onto low cots with blankets and pillows for a period of rest.
The environment is prepared by trained Montessori guides in a manner that encourages freedom of movement, independence, exploration, concentration, and joy. A Montessori toddler classroom meets the needs of each individual child and is a place of beauty with items such as real plants, flowers, and artwork for the children to experience with all of their senses.
Part Day Toddler Classroom
Our Part Day Toddler program is a five day a week program for children ages 18 months to 3 years. We offer a 3 hour morning session or a 3 hour afternoon session. The light-filled classroom features dedicated areas for children to work independently or together using a variety of materials that allow children to develop language and vocabulary skills, fine and gross motor skills, social skills (grace and courtesy) and care of self (toileting/dressing/handwashing) and care of environment (sweeping/dusting/plant watering) skills. There are spaces designed specifically for movement, art, reading, and self care/toileting. The bathroom is designed for young children with low toilets and sinks. A large rug provides a gathering space for daily circle times where guides read books, sing songs, and offer seasonal lessons. Outdoor playtime is essential and we use the on site playground and take short neighborhood walks to other nearby play spaces. Children eat snack together. The environment is designed to be peaceful, orderly and full beautiful materials and items such as real plants, flowers, and art for the children to experience with all of their senses.
Primary Classroom
Our Primary program is a five day a week program for children ages 3 to 6 years. Primary is designed as a three year program culminating in the kindergarten year. The Montessori Primary classroom is a specially prepared environment where children are given sequenced one on one and group lessons in the traditional Montessori curriculum areas: grace and courtesy, practical life, sensorial development, language, mathematics and culture (which includes geography, science, art and music). Once the materials have been presented, children are free to choose work independently during the daily three hour work cycle. The environment is designed to be peaceful, organized and full beautiful materials and items such as real plants, flowers, and art for the children to experience with all of their senses.
In the Primary classroom children work on foundational skills in reading, writing, mathematics, problem solving, and emotional regulation. The teachers carefully observe the interests, skills, and needs of each child and guide the children along individualized learning paths. After three years in Primary our students are confident learners who have experienced joy through being able to freely explore and make choices at school. They know how to be responsible and caring members of a diverse community and are primed for their next developmental phase.
Children prepare their own snacks in the food preparation area and eat lunch as a community. During these daily rituals they practice essential skills such as preparing a place setting, carrying a glass of water carefully, and cleaning up after themselves. Daily group gatherings are times for sharing books, songs, movement, and special community celebrations such as Montessori birthday walks and explorations of holidays and cultural traditions. During rest time low cots, blankets, and pillows are provided so that children may rest their bodies and minds after an active morning. Daily outdoor time on the playground and walks around the neighborhood allow the children to exercise their bodies and work on social skills as they learn to play together and be kind and respectful community members.