Questions families often ask.

Montessori schools have many similarities, but they often reflect the personalities, interests and ethics of the director and teachers. Authentic Montessori programs must meet the guidelines set by the governing bodies of Montessori, either state, national or international. The basic requirements are: they must have the required Montessori equipment, be staffed by Montessori trained teachers and assistants, require a five half-day minimum for attendance, provide a multiage grouping, typically ages 3–6, and provide an uninterrupted work period of no less than 2½–3 hours. In addition, it is hoped that all schools respect the Montessori philosophy and focus on supporting independence in children, but all schools reflect the priorities of the teacher/administrator. That makes us all different in important ways. Our school’s focus is academic excellence with a strong emphasis on music and an appreciation for our multicultural environment. The teachers determine the academic level of each child. Materials deemed appropriate for the child’s continued academic growth are presented and the child’s progress is documented. Activities that promote independence and those that develop the children’s sensorial awareness are included in the children’s daily experiences. Our children are most often far ahead of their peer groups in both reading and mathematical computation. The children enjoy enrichment classes and prepare two musical performances. In addition, our school is committed to recognizing all cultures. We have many celebrations throughout the school year highlighting our varied ethnic backgrounds.

It is our policy to follow the state regulation requiring an outdoor time for all children every day, weather permitting. We will not go out if it is raining, or if the temperature is too cold or too hot. We have an acre of outdoor play space with a bike path, climbing structure, sand pit, musical instruments, swings, a seesaw, tire swing, a soccer field and net, and for winter, a small sledding hill. The children enjoy running freely, riding bikes, building sand castles, sledding, climbing and occasionally creating a song on the instruments. We go out after lunch for approximately 1 hour, depending on the weather. During warmer weather, we also go out after class at 4:00 in the afternoon. The children enjoy both group games and individual play giving them time to socialize and learn to respect one another.

Our staff is fairly stable. Some of our staff members have been with us 6 to 18 years although a couple have joined us this past year. Currently, each classroom is staffed by one or two Montessori trained teachers. Our teachers also have training outside of Montessori with BA degrees in Psychology, English, and Technology and one with her MA in Teaching. All have years of experience in Montessori and have been exposed to other educational philosophies bringing a wealth of knowledge to their classrooms. Each classroom also has one or two assistants that help the children make wise choices and encourages them to follow the ground rules creating a calm yet busy environment.

During the month of September, we begin the school year by showing the children how to use small rugs and individual tables to define their work spaces. We introduce new works daily and show the children in a step-by-step process how to use the materials. Our goal is to introduce a “cycle of activity” to the children and reinforce our ground rules. By the end of September, most of the children are able to prepare their work space, choose an appropriate work, accomplish their tasks, put the work away properly and either choose another work or roll up their rugs independently. A few will require reinforcement a little longer.

We have several reports that go home during the year: an initial evaluation in early October, conferences in November, a progress report in February and an end of the year evaluation in June. In addition, the teachers are available to meet with you any time during the school year for a conference. Teachers have varied schedules, but most work until 5:30 at least one day every other week, so they are available for impromptu conversations with you during their late days.

We open at 8:00 and our day ends at 5:30. Our half day is from 8:45–11:30, extended half day is from 8:45–3:30, full day is 8:00–5:30.

Lunch is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Children’s Place. On Monday, we have mac & cheese; Wednesday, we have chicken/veggie nuggets; and on Friday, we have cheese pizza and cheezy bread. All meals include a vegetable and fruit.

Music and sign language are offered this year and are included in your tuition. Tumbling Tikes (gymnastics), Mighty Minds (problem solving) and dance (creative movement) lessons are also offered at additional cost. Enrichment classes meet from 11:00–11:30 Tuesday–Thursday. Opportunities for creative art are available in classrooms. Field trips are an integral part of our school year. We also have two children’s performances, one in December and one in June. In addition to the performances, we have several parties celebrating cultural holidays. Feasts on Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and a Grandparent’s Tea round out our extracurricular activities.

8:00–8:30 — The children arrive and either spend a few moments in the gym (construction toys, housekeeping, dress-up, puzzles) or go directly to class.

8:30–11:00 or 11:30 — The children are in class. During this time, they work in small groups with the teacher or work independently.

11:00–11:30 — Enrichment classes on some days.

11:30 — Half day children are dismissed.

11:30–12:00 — Lunch. The children in the front classroom eat in the gym; children in the back classroom eat in the multipurpose room.

12:00–12:50 — Outside recess.

12:50–1:00 — The children prepare for nap time, toileting and washing up.

1:00 — The younger children settle down for nap time with a story and classical music. The kindergarteners begin their afternoon class.

2:00–2:30 — The younger children that have not fallen asleep are given a snack and sent to class. Class continues for the kindergartners.

2:45–3:15 — The nappers awaken, have snack and go to class.

3:30 — Extended Day children are dismissed.

3:30–4:00 — Music class (including singing, rhythmic notation and movement) and children’s literature experience (chapter books) for the full day children.

4:00–5:30 — The children have snack at 4:00 and then play either outside or inside in the multipurpose room or gym. Close to the end of the day, the children gather for a story.

As we have a beautiful outdoor play area, we spend the summer mornings outside when the weather is cooler. Two mornings a week, the new children are brought into the classroom for a short period to introduce them to the classroom structure. Lunch at 11:30 is usually eaten outside on picnic tables under the trees. Most enrichment classes take place at 12:00. After enrichment classes, the children rest from 1:00–2:00. Class time is from 2:00–4:00. After 4:00, the children again enjoy outdoor fun, sometimes water play, as well.

The registration fee of $280 includes the following: cost of field trips, one uniform shirt with Children’s Place logo, one pair of indoor rubber soled shoes for school use, school parties throughout the year, performances, feasts (Thanksgiving), extracurricular classes materials (language, music & yoga, art), celebrations, candid pictures of your child taken throughout the year (approximately 6), parent ed class & booklet, and enrollment paperwork. Gymnastics, Mighty Minds and dance lessons are optional and are at additional cost. Payment of the registration fee will secure your child’s position at Children’s Place Montessori and it is not refundable.

We are an authentic Montessori school that teaches children how to work independently in the classroom and make wise choices for themselves. We introduce the 'ground rules' to the children that will allow them to be productive in the classroom. The ground rules include how to prepare their work space, choose work that interests them and is appropriate, how to accomplish their chosen task and how to return the material to the proper place. In addition, respect for their classmates, teachers and the classroom materials is stressed. Ground Rules are reinforced throughout the year providing a stable environment for the children. Consistency is key to providing the security children need to flourish and develop a love of learning. So, to place us on a spectrum, we would probably fall somewhere in the middle as we believe a balanced environment creates an ideal learning atmosphere for the children.

During September, while we are teaching the children to work within our classroom structure, we may have a shortened class period. As we are establishing the classroom structure, some of the morning is spent on the playground. During this time, we evaluate the children to see where they are academically and place them in small lesson groupings that we will use for small group lessons during class starting in October. Lessons are geared to each child’s academic needs and abilities.

The Montessori Curriculum is displayed on the shelves in each classroom. If you are interested in having a particular academic sequence explained to you in depth, please ask one of the teachers to walk you through the materials in that particular area. The cognitive areas in a Montessori classroom are Practical Life / Everyday Living (fine motor, order, independence, concentration), Sensorial (materials to stimulate or refine senses), Math (hands on materials to explain abstract concepts), Language / Reading (phonetic approach), Science & Geography (classification, simple experiments, political and physical maps). Each area has a sequence that is typically followed.

After enrollment, you will be provided with each teacher’s email. You can reach out via email, make an appointment to speak with any of the teachers, or call the school at 248-476-9660.