What is Montessori and how can it help my child?

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Montessori is a hands-on way of learning. Children learn best when they are actively engaged in their exploration of learning new skills. In Montessori, the adult follows the interests of the child and they are shown lessons on pieces of work that they have shown interest in. Everything in the preschool classroom serves a purpose. Every piece of work teaches a specific skill; one might strengthen hand muscles for beginning writing skills, such as holding a pencil, or one might explore the differences of various sizes of materials. 

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The program I've developed is an enriched learning program.  Children, from ages 18 months to five, are shown various pieces of work that teach specific skills that will help them gain independence, confidence and problem solving skills. Once that specific piece of work is mastered, your child is shown an extension to help reinforce that learned skill. Examples of different Montessori works are located on the 'Curriculum' pages.

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The classroom is set up in five areas of learning:

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1) Practical Life: Where your child sees materials that are more familiar to them that they've probably seen in your home but in the preschool, teach different skills, such as spooning beans, the button frame for clothing independence, or opening and closing various kinds of locks, etc. 

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2) Sensorial: Children learn about shapes, colours, sizes, weight, balancing through different pieces of work.

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3) Arithmetic: Children explore numbers through various hands on activities.

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4) Language: Children explore sounds, letters, vocabulary, and books through jigsaws and various activities.

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5) Culture: Children learn about the world through animals, continents, weather and nature. 

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What does 'enriched' mean?

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I am using best proven practices of early childhood learning, including:

• hands-on learning;

• direct teaching and ongoing reinforcement and support;

• individualized program with social aspects, such as circle time and group work;

• building a community of bonded learners;

• meeting each child where they are and building on their interests;

• appreciation of nature (nature walks and gardening, environmental awareness, etc);

• positive character development;

• learning independence and confidence;

• social skills;

• MindUP lessons (a brain based program that address feelings and problem solving);

• baking and cooking;

• arts and crafts;

• French;

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Why should I choose ACE Montessori Enriched Home Preschool over a large scale daycare centre?

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In my enriched program, children receive individual attention because of the smaller numbers of children enrolled. As I am unlicensed, I am allowed to have five children, at one time, attend the program. That means that your child will be given a lot of direct attention to help them in their learning and exploration.

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ACE is an enriched early learning environment. As a teacher, it's very important to me that the learning environment I create and foster is based on children developing and refining their fine and gross motor skills, learning to socialize, play and problem solve, grow in independence, and foster an early love of learning and exploring through the various Montessori pieces of work and the other enrichment features.

 

I am a trained and  certified  OCT teacher (Ontario College of Teachers), with over ten years teaching experience at primary level ( Kindergarten to Grade 2). I am a Montessori certified teacher with three years experience. 

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What happens in the first few weeks?

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In the first few weeks of attending the program, your child will be exploring their new environment, learning how to socialize with new friends, learning new routines, testing boundaries and adapting to the new transition, hearing new vocabulary and being shown pieces of work, based on their interests.

 

In the weeks that follow, your child will start to become more independent at completing pieces of work and also at tidying them up. Children are shown how to put work back neatly on the shelf so that it may be chosen for another child to work on. 

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Will my child get enough socialization?

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Yes, your child will get plenty of socialization. A child doesn't need to be surrounded by twenty plus other children in order to be socialized, they need to be surrounded by a kind, supportive, and bonded community, which is what I'm creating with my program. Children will learn from each other and under my directed attention. They will get positive and supportive attention. The children learn important social skills and character traits, such as kindness, respect, and good manners, etc. while interacting with each other and myself. I am always modelling positive character traits for the children. 

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Is there a minimum number of days for enrolling my child?

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My preference is for at least two full days (8am -4pm) a week so that your child will start to settle into the new routines, feel comfortable and confident in a few weeks time and start to take on an active role in our community. 

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Does my child get enough time to play?

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Yes! While your child is actively engaged in different pieces of Montessori work throughout the day, your child IS having fun exploring, socializing, and learning. There is also dedicated indoor and outdoor play times, based on the weather. 

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Does ACE hold spaces families who need care in the future?

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As a general rule, due to demand, ACE is not able to hold spaces for families, as families join the enriched program on a first come, first served basis (as long as the child/ family seems like a good fit for the program). There is a waiting list that families can ask to join and when a space becomes available, I will get in contact with you to see if you would like to take the available spot. 

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If families would like a space held for them, a holding fee, that is non-refundable and does not count as credit towards their child's fees, would have to be paid on a weekly basis. The holding fee would be half the daily rate ($45), for the number of days the family agrees to register their child weekly, as per the contract. A holding fee contract, in addition to the regular ACE Montessori Enriched Home Preschool contract, would need to be signed. 

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