What is Montessori education and what are the benefits?
Dr. Maria Montessori made education her life’s work and passion. Over the course of her lifetime she keenly observed children paying close attention to their social emotional needs and their capacity for academic growth. Montessori pedagogy is tried and true. It fosters independence, a child’s natural inclination to learn while empowering children to be stewards of the earth and mindful citizens of their community and the world.
How does Elderberry Montessori differ from other early childhood programs?
Montessori education values self-directed learning and hands-on activity “work”. We believe children can be empowered to follow their interests and curiosities if given the independence and tools to do so. Montessori values self-expression, building a sense of community, and raising kind, thoughtful, caring humans.
What are my options for enrollment?
Our program is five days a week. We offer various pick up times during the day to meet your family needs: 1:30pm, 3pm and rolling pick up between 3pm and 5:30pm.
What are Elderberry’s typical classroom size and ratios?
Elderberry is proud to offer quality education for a maximum of 24 children. Our teacher to student ratio is 1:8 which is well below the state requirement of 1:12. We pride ourselves in giving your child individualized attention and care.
What does a typical school day look like?
| 8-8:30 am | Morning Drop Off |
| 8:30-11:30 am | Morning Work Period |
| 11:30a-12:15p | Lunch |
| 12:15-1:30 pm | Outside time/ Visit to the Local Park |
| 1:30pm | Mid-day Pick up |
| 1:30-3 pm | Naptime for ages 3-4 |
| 1:30-2 pm | Rest for ages 4+ |
| 2-3 pm | Afternoon work period for children ages 4+ |
| 3 pm | Afternoon Pick up / End of School Day |
| 3-5:30 pm | Aftercare / Enrichment Classes – Open ended pick up time |
| 5:30 pm | School Closes |
What are the expectations surrounding toilet training?
We ask that children have a steady routine in place at home. We require children wear regular underwear during the school day and bring a change of clothing to be stored at school in case of accidents. We’ll help the children adjust to their new toileting patterns at school and will provide regular reminders of bathroom breaks for the first few months of school for younger children.
What food does Elderberry provide?
We provide snack in the morning and afternoon for children in the aftercare program. Nutrition and healthy eating habits are part of our educational program. We talk to children about foods that give energy and nutrients for growing and fighting off illness. Daily snacks served in the classroom include vegetables, fruits, whole grain crackers, and cheese. We provide filtered water because it is best for dental health.
How does Elderberry Montessori manage allergies?
Parents are asked to directly communicate any and all food allergies with teachers and staff. We are a tree nut and peanut free school community.
