Q:
Why is it important for my child to attend 5 days a week?

A:
In order for the children to get the maximum benefit of the program regular attendance is essential. This allows your child to have a strong sense of ownership over the environment and enables him/her to steadily increase his/her concentration and attention span by repeating work previously presented

Q:
Why do we call what the children do "work" instead of play?

A:
Everything the child manipulates aids the child in his or her development, this is the child’s job, to grow and develop. Therefore everything the child thinks about and interacts with is work.

Q:
How do I get my child to be as independent at home as he is at school?

A:
There are many things that can be done at home to foster independence and encourage coordination of movement. For example encouraging your child to completely dress his/herself by providing clothing with manageable fasteners, providing child size pitchers for meals so that your child may serve him/herself, helping with regular chores such as folding laundry, washing/peeling/cutting fruits and vegetables for meals, encouraging independent toileting and washing oneself. These are tasks that the children find fascinating and will be very excited to help and do for his/herself. This obviously can be very time consuming so allowing plenty of time for independent completion is often hard to find but will truly help bolster your child's self esteem and self confidence.

Q:
Why is a $500 deposit required?

A:
A deposit is required to secure your child’s spot in the school. We staff and plan according to the number of students enrolled in the school at any given time. When a child leaves the school mid-year, our staffing needs and consequent planning could change. The Security deposit is then used to offset the costs of such changes.

A:
The 5 year old child has a need for a longer work cycle than the 3 and 4 year old. By enrolling your 5 year old for the extended day program he or she will be provided with the longer work cycle and more advanced materials that meet the child’s developmental needs.

Q:
What is the difference between public and private Montessori?

A:
One main difference is the difference in funding sources; public Montessori schools are supported in the same manner as other public schools; private Montessori schools are funded through tutition fees, fundraising and other private sources. Also public Montessori schools are subject to the mandates of federal and state education boards and private have a greater degree of freedom to implement the Montessori Philosophy as they see fit.

Q:
What should I do if my child must arrive late?

A:
If your child is arriving after 8:55 please park and walk your child into the office. An office staff member or Grandma Mary will walk your child to the class room. This is an important step to take to maintain as much of the normal routine as possible. This helps your child stay secure in his/her independence and eases change-of-routine separation anxiety.

Q:
Who should I contact if my child will be absent for several days?

A:
Extended absences are discouraged if at all possible. In order for the children to get the maximum benefit of the program regular attendance is essential. This allows your child to have a strong sense of ownership over the environment and enables him/her to steadily increase his/her concentration and attention span by repeating work previously presented. After an extended absence children tend to have a disconnected feeling and find it more difficult to remember past presentations needed to master critical skills. However it is understood that opportunities come up and it is not always possible to postpone therefore if your family is going to be departing for a vacation or an extended absence is necessary please contact the office via phone, note or email.