Ages
Our Early Childhood Program welcomes children between 3-6 years old, though some students may transition earlier based on their readiness for the program.
Hours
The school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 3:30 pm. We also offer care before or after these hours, starting as early as 7:00 am.
Readiness Benchmarks
To be successful in the Early Childhood program, children need to be showing these skills:
- Independence in their toileting habits
- Ability to feed themselves independently
- Ability to follow multi-step directions
- Ability to manage their own clothing and shoes
The Classroom
The Early Childhood Program is a three-year curriculum offering students a combination of challenging academics and extensive enrichment experiences through daily hands-on activities. The main areas of the classroom include Language, Math, Cultural Subjects, Sensorial, and Practical Life. Science, geography, history, art, music, and social-emotional lessons are all integrated into the curriculum.
We follow AMS accreditation standards, which promote large group size rather than low student-teacher ratios, allowing children to be more independent and develop intrinsic motivation. We have 1:12 ratio, with up to 24 students in a classroom. There are two teachers in each classroom, with a minimum of one Montessori credentialed teacher in each class, though we are striving for two Montessori credentialed teachers in each class. Additionally, we have one Outdoor Specialist who oversees the Outdoor Classroom every day during the morning work cycle.
The Prepared Environment
Setting the stage for self-directed and joyful learning, the teachers thoughtfully prepare the classroom with specially designed materials which are self-correcting. The beautiful environment encourages exploration, independence, freedom within limits, harmony, and a sense of order.
Cognitive Development
Each Early Childhood material is a concrete representation of a single concept. Teachers provide lessons on how these materials are used, then children independently choose their work. manipulating, investigating, and mastering the lessons the materials embody.
Physical and Motor Development
To become independent, children must develop coordination and control. The freedom of movement allows children the opportunity to learn to control their bodies in a defined space. Through everyday tasks, children learn to concentrate, coordinate their movements, develop fine-and large-motor skills, and to be graceful in social encounters.
Outdoor Classroom
Daily outdoor activities enrich our traditional Montessori curriculum, allowing students to bring their work into the courtyards and develop gross motor skills in our expansive natural playscape where children use real shovels for digging, balance on rocks with their bare feet in our sensory walk creek bed, develop their vestibular system in our labyrinth, and feed and care for our pig and chickens.
Early Childhood Binomial Cube
He is so focused his tongue is involved! The binomial cube, which represents (a+b)³, is presented as a challenging, three-dimensional puzzle. The cube is made up of a number of colored blocks, which fit together in a specific way. Assembling it uses a child’s fine-motor skills and requires the ability to discriminate between the blocks based on multiple characteristics – some blocks have one color, others have two, some are cubes, while others are rectangular prisms. This makes the binomial cube a more complex sensorial material which requires organized thinking to master.
Why is the kindergarten year so crucial for your child’s development?
Kindergarten: The Final Year of Early Childhood
The final year of Early Childhood is a crucial developmental year for our budding 5-year-old students. During this period, children consolidate their learning from the previous two years, applying and deepening their understanding of concepts in a more integrated way, as learning blossoms into richer concepts that Kindergarten students are capable of understanding. This year allows them to take on leadership roles within the classroom, mentoring younger peers and reinforcing their own knowledge through teaching. Additionally, the third year emphasizes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a sense of responsibility, all of which are foundational for future academic and personal success. This culmination of the Early Childhood program ensures that children graduate with a strong sense of self, a love for learning, and the skills necessary to thrive in their future learning.
Consolidation of Learning
In the third year, children revisit and reinforce the concepts they’ve learned in the previous two years. This repetition and practice help solidify their understanding and mastery of various skills, such as reading, writing, and math operations. By applying these skills in more complex and integrated ways, children build a strong academic foundation.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
The prepared environment encourages children to think critically and solve problems independently. In their third year, students engage in more challenging and open-ended tasks that require them to apply their knowledge creatively. This fosters a deeper understanding of concepts and the ability to think analytically.
Leadership Roles
As the oldest in the classroom, third-year students naturally take on leadership roles. They often mentor younger peers, guiding them through activities and setting examples of appropriate behavior. This experience not only boosts their confidence but also enhances their communication and social skills.
Sense of Responsibility
With increased responsibilities, third-year students learn to manage their time, complete tasks, and take care of classroom materials. This sense of responsibility extends beyond academics, helping them develop important life skills such as organization, self-discipline, and accountability.
Did You Know?
Kindergarten students attend elementary summer!
For those families choosing to attend during the summer, students graduating from kindergarten will attend the with other elementary students. For a portion of their day, they work with a credentialed elementary teacher to help them become more accustomed to elementary classroom routines.
