We Meet Children
Where They Are
We allow each child to move and learn at their own pace. We know that learning is not linear, and that children are not ready to learn specific skills according to an adult-prepared timeline, or in perfect harmony with their peers. Kids who need more support with certain skills get that support, and those who are ready to move ahead are able to find the challenges they crave.
Infant Ages 4–14 months
It begins here. Your infant’s mind is sensitive and is developing rapidly. He is eager to makes new discoveries each day! This once-in-a-lifetime process is supported with unconditional love in our Montessori infant program.
Peace of Mind
No need to worry – your infant will be nurtured in a beautiful, safe and clean environment. From rigorous background checks for teachers, to CPR/First Aid Training for all staff, to a comprehensive school emergency plan, rest assured that we have thought of every detail to protect your child’s well-being.
An Environment Optimized for your Infant
Our classrooms are designed entirely around the needs of your child. A low rail anchored to the wall provides support as your child pulls himself up from the floor. A soft mat cushions falls. Custom floor beds allow your child to choose to sleep when tired. Infant size shelves display beautiful materials designed to stimulate your child’s senses. Teachers speak in gentle tones and the decor is understated and homelike. Your child will feel right at home in an environment created just for him or her.
Close Communication with You
Crawling. First words. Walking. What was impossible yesterday seems easy today. We celebrate these milestones and keep in close communication with you to ensure we are always doing what is best for your child’s development.
Well Trained Professionals
Infant classrooms are led by fully trained teachers. This training program is a thorough education in child development from birth to age three and prepares the teacher to create an optimal program for your child. More than just a job – our Montessori teachers have a career of choice because of their love for infants, their interest in Montessori education and their unwavering commitment to do what is best for children.
Adults: 1, Children: 3
Infants can never have too much love, care and affection. To ensure your child receives personalized attention, our infant program provides one adult for every three children.
Trust through Consistency
Your infant is sensitive to change and routine, and we make every effort to ensure consistency to help your child feel safe and comfortable. Our program is offered on a five-day schedule only, so she will be with the same children and adults every day. Sleep and eating schedules are based on your child’s individual needs, which are carefully observed and documented for communication with you when you return.
Part of a Larger Educational Community
At 15 months, your child is ready for greater challenges. Our school provides a continuum of Montessori education and your child will have a seamless transition to the Toddler program. Planned well in advance, this process is designed to make both you and your child comfortable. A meeting with the new teacher and brief classroom visits in advance of the move facilitate the transition.
Toddlers Ages 18–32 months
Some refer to this developmental period as “The Terrible Twos.” We disagree; toddlers are terrific. We love everything about them – their energy, determination and curiosity – and purposefully created a very special place for your toddler to learn.
An Environment Conducive to Learning
Where so many early childhood programs are chaotic and overwhelming, parents are often surprised to see the peaceful tone of our toddler classroom. The calm atmosphere and lack of distraction helps her to develop impulse control and concentration, planting the seeds for learning in this classroom and beyond.
Not a Classroom, A Community
Our students grow together into a close-knit, caring community. When children work, learn and grow together, they learn much more than any of them could learn alone!
Help Me to Do it Myself
Your child has a natural drive to be independent which we encourage by creating an environment where everything is just the right size for her to do things on her own. Child sized tools that fit her tiny hands allow her to prepare a snack and serve it to friends. A miniature broom empowers her to clean up on her own. She is taught the skills of self-care and toilet training. Your child learns a set of concrete life skills and self-confidence – but, more importantly, develops the belief that she can choose to make a genuine impact on her world.
A Beautiful Environment
Our bright and sunny toddler classrooms are specially designed for your child between the ages of 18 and 36 months. It is a world scaled down to your child’s size. Here, your child paints, cooks, waters the garden, sings songs with friends and plays with materials that develop fine and gross motor coordination.
Absorbing Language
We surround your child with rich and stimulating conversation to support this once-in-a-lifetime period of rapid language development. Your child, trying to blow bubbles, might be encouraged with “Blow! Can you make the air move just like the wind?” Your child’s mind effortlessly absorbs the new vocabulary, which plants the seeds for reading, writing and self-expression in the future.
A Joyful Experience
Maria Montessori once said, “One test of the correctness of the educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Take a peek into our Toddler classroom and you will see children who are happy, engaged and deeply connected to their friends and teachers. As a result, your child develops a deep affinity for school and a true love-for-learning.
Ready to Move Up
Sometime between the ages of 2 1/2 to 3 years of age, your child’s language skills and self-expression will develop rapidly; he will express a growing confidence in independence and a keen interest in broader concepts; he will want to know what lies ahead, outside of the Toddler Classroom. At this point, he is ready to move up to the Primary program, for children from the ages of 3 to 6.
Primary Ages 33 months –6 years
The Primary program is truly a gift to your child. Designed for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years, it is an opportunity to nurture his individual development within the context of a group setting. The result? Self-confidence, joy and a lifelong love-for-learning.
Child-Centered (Not Teacher-Centered)
Unlike conventional classrooms, where all children are expected to pay close attention to the teacher, our program does the opposite – the teacher is trained to closely observe your child’s interests, tendencies and needs. You won’t see the teacher standing at the front of the classroom at a chalkboard, but rather down at your child’s level, engaged with her or a small group.
It’s a Mixed-Age Classroom
Because the curriculum is individualized, your child can work at his or her own pace while participating in a mixed age classroom community. Your younger child learns by observing the behavior and activities of the older children. Your older child gains self-confidence, leadership skills and responsibility by setting an example for her younger friends.
The Gift of Choice
Your child will be introduced to a broad range of concepts and activities in individual and small group lessons. The real learning, however, occurs through independent activity by choosing to explore it, repeat it and perfect it.
Hands-on Materials
The scientifically designed Montessori materials help your child learn through hands-on use and exploration. Through continued use, he develops as a concrete understanding of abstract concepts, such as mathematics, providing a solid foundation for learning into the future.
Group Activities and Play
While most of the day is spent in self-directed work, there are also times for group activity and play. The teacher may gather a group for songs or to tell stories about a cultural, scientific or historical theme of interest. Ample time is also given to run, dig, explore and play with friends outdoors.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Instead of a top down curriculum based upon age, the teacher is trained to respect your child’s unique potential and connects him with the lesson best suited at that precise moment of development. Your child will be challenged according to her ability, not to a generic standard.
Kindergarten Included
Montessori is a continuum of education that allows your child to build upon experiences each year. Your child will stay in the Primary classroom for 3 years, including the traditional “kindergarten year” – when the seeds of learning come to fruition. Reading and writing come to life from sounds and symbols. She is introduced to numbers and the decimal system. She learns about geometric figures and the political countries of our world. She leaves the program with a strong set of academic skills; but, far more importantly, with the attitude that learning is fun, exciting and boundless.
+ Before and After School Care
We offer convenient before and after school care programs. Please contact us for details.
+ Extra Curricular Programs
Our extra-curricular programs are available for children ages 3-6.
+ Spanish Immersion
Taught by a Montessori-certified Spanish teacher, this program provides anenriching environment and engaging curriculum that immerses children in Spanish language and Latin culture.
Music Together
Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program for children and parents. This research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.
Art
For a young child, creating and experimenting with art projects is a wonderful way to express what they see, feel and imagine. This class lets them try different media while learning about shapes, colors and textures. It also introduces famous artists and works of art.
Tiny Mites Soccer Coaches from Sampson Socceruse specifically designed drills that incorporate songs, rhymes and games to make learning the game of soccer fun. Kids learn basic skills as well as balance and coordination, teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Ballet Children learn the joy of dance with an instructor from the Loudoun Ballet Association, and take part in a dance recital at the end of the school year.
Summer program
When school is out, fun is in session at our summer camp program. For 10 fun-filled weekly sessions, we explore a different theme each week, where we combine fun, educational activities with plenty of outdoor time (weather permitting), weekly bus trips and lots of water play. Students enjoy art, cooking, sewing, drama, science, air and space, architecture, all related to the theme of the week.
Trips include the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum.
Full and half day camp sessions are available.