Our Program
Primary (ages 3-6)
The curriculum is designed with the understanding that children learn best through real-life activities that support independence, concrete experiences that engage the senses, and open-ended exploration. This leads to the refinement of their movements, sensory perceptions, language, and intellect development. Children thrive through opportunities to follow their own interests and freely choose their own scaffolded activities. Through guided exploration they develop independence, concentration, and curiosity.
​
Montessori materials for the Primary age are designed to support self-directed discovery and learning. They are organized around:
-
Practical life activities that develop both independence and concentration
-
Sensorial activities that refine and develop the child’s senses
-
The development of spoken language, writing and reading skills
-
Mathematical activities that develop fundamental mathematical concepts
-
Cultural activities that include geography, history, biology, science, music, and the arts.
Azalea Grows outdoor program
​
One of our unique program offerings is our Azalea Grows program. Every three weeks a group of children will spend Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings outside. They may study plants, make art, cook with food harvested from the garden, and feed the chickens. One third of the class goes each week, giving each child an opportunity to connect with the outdoors in a small group.
We go outside for at least a short period of time if the temperature is above 25 degrees and below 90. We provide rain suits and boots for puddle-filled adventures, provided it's not a torrential downpour and there is no lightning! Our goal is to have the children enjoy their time outdoors, so in truly inclement weather we adapt our activities for indoors.
​
We have limited availability in our Azalea Grows program as standalone enrollment. If you are interested in the option of having your child join us every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning without signing up for our Montessori education program, please contact us.
​
After-school Program
We offer an after-school program daily from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. This is a more traditional program that offers children the opportunity to make crafts, work on cooking projects, read, explore themed activities, and engage in imaginary play. Typically, our enrollment allows for full-time, part-time, or as-needed participation.
Daily schedule
8:15-8:30 a.m.: Arrival
8:30-10:45 a.m.: Work time, including access to snack
10:45-11: Group lessons, songs, and/or story
12 p.m.: Walk to park, recess, and walk back to school
12-12:45 p.m.: Lunch (packed from home)
12:45-2:40 p.m.: Nap and work time for non-nappers
2:40-3 p.m.: Restore classroom, songs and/or story
3-3:15 p.m.: Dismissal and start of aftercare
3-5:30 p.m.: Aftercare, group snack
The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.
​
- Dr. Maria Montessori
