Early Childhood Program

Our five-weekday program provides 3-year-old to 5-year-old children with a sense of order, continuity, and community. We offer morning, full-day, and afternoon programs, with the flexibility to choose which program works well for your family.

The Experience

Early childhood classrooms are at the heart of the Montessori philosophy. Being in an environment with children across a three-year age span allows each child to learn from and work with peers in a range of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive developmental stages. This arrangement mirrors the real world, in which individuals work and socialize with people of various ages, abilities, and dispositions.

Our classrooms are designed to support this style of learning within a low child-to-teacher ratio. Younger children observe what slightly older children are doing, piquing their curiosity. Older children model how activities are done, reinforcing their self-esteem and sense of mastery. 

Work Cycle

Another hallmark of the mixed-age Montessori classroom is the uninterrupted work cycle period, in which children have extended periods of time to select, focus on, and complete activities on their own. Consistently participating in this cycle allows children to develop coordination, concentration, independence, and order, while also instilling a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Teachers guide by inviting children to explore the materials.

Physical Development

Children in our Early Childhood classes begin their day with gross motor play time; this enables them to transition with ease into an uninterrupted 2 hour work period each morning. On our terrace playground and playscape, the children enjoy each other's company and develop their physical abilities. We also take frequent trips outdoors, for walks around our neighborhood and visits to parks. Additionally, our classrooms include an array of materials and activities that support the development of both fine and gross motor skills.

Cognitive Development

The classroom environment is equipped with a multitude of Montessori materials, both traditional and teacher-made. The materials are designed to pique curiosity and are self-correcting, thereby heightening a child’s ability to independently learn and discover new ideas. The materials also help develop memory and refine the visual and auditory senses.

Social-Emotional Development

Grace, courtesy, and empathy are vital to the culture and curriculum of our school. Our teachers follow a kindness curriculum that encourages pro-social behavior and a peaceful classroom environment. Through reading books and class discussions, teachers help children develop social consciousness in age-appropriate ways. Blocks and dramatic play areas allow children to collaborate and develop their imagination, while practical life activities facilitate socialization and role-play. As teachers and older children model courteous and peaceful behavior, younger children catch on and begin to do the same.

Creativity

We encourage children to ask questions, to wonder, and to explore the world. To expand children's  creativity, a variety of activities, including art, music, dance, yoga, and cooking, are interwoven into the curriculum. Presentations of new materials, textures, smells, sounds, and visual stimuli to enhance their vocabulary and senses. Our teachers introduce techniques and skills to individuals and facilitate special collaborative art projects with small groups of children. 

To learn more about our program options, tuition, and financial aid, please click here.