Do you accept students mid-year?

We offer rolling enrollment if and when a spot becomes available. Most of our students start school at the beginning of the school year

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How do you make enrollment decisions?

Since we are a small school we are only able to accept a few students each year. We consider the following when accepting students:

• Siblings of current students are given priority

• Availability in each class 

• School and family compatibility (do we share similar ideas and philosophies on early childhood education)

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Are snacks included?

Two snacks are included (10 am and 3 pm)

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Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included at this time

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Do you cater to special diets and allergies?

Yes, we will provide snacks that are specific to their dietary needs

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How do we pay tuition?

Tuition is processed through Brightwheel at the beginning of every month and is paid one month in advance (example: The installment for the month of October is paid on September 1)

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How many installments are there?

We are open 11 months out of the year (closed in July) so there are 11 installments.

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Do you prorate tuition?

No, we are not able to offer prorated tuition, the installments are based on a yearly total amount.

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Are you able to split payments?

Yes, Brightwheel now has a feature that allows families to split invoices so multiple people can pay partial payments.
 

Can I pay with my credit card?

Brightwheel accepts direct payments from your bank account as well as credit/debit cards payments.

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Are you AMS certified?

Although we are a Montessori school, we strive to incorporate different ideas and curriculum from various child development pedagogies and philosophies. By doing this we are able to offer an integrated and emergent experience to our students that is not limited to just one way of learning. An AMS certification would not align with our philosophy and mission statement, however, we are working on becoming NAYEC accredited.

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How do you handle discipline?

 

We believe in gently and positive discipline as well as and natural consequences. Our approach to discipline comes from the book by Daniel Siegel, 'No Drama Discipline' and the book 'Gentle Discipline' by Sarah Ockwell-Smith. We take breathing breaks and have 'time-in' where we connect and discuss what emotions we are feeling. We believe in checking-in with one another and taking a step further than simply apologizing. 

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At this age most of our students have not yet developed the ability to communicate their wants and need. Our role as their teacher is to remain calm and help them safely navigate any big emotions they may be going through in a way that is appropriate for their age and the stage they are in.

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How many students are in each class?

Our teacher to student ratio is 1:6, each class has 12 students.

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Will my child still be engaged and challenged?

Yes! One of the many benefits of our 1:6 ratio is that teachers have the luxury of tailoring activities and lessons to the individual child and their personal interests and development. Teachers are constantly adjusting and creating new lessons and materials that are challenging, fun, and developmentally appropriate for every student. Children naturally teach and are taught by their peers, in addition to the instruction provided by their teachers. Our students take great pride in being able to teach and help one another with jobs, tasks, and daily routines and it is such a wonderful thing to observe these relationships form and how their social/emotional growth flourishes simultaneously as well.
 

What is everyone’s educational background?

All of our teachers have at least their Bachelor's, most of them have it in child development with an emphasis on early childhood education. Some of our teachers have formal Montessori training and all of our teachers have been Montessori trained by various staff members. All of our teachers continually take child development courses and training to stay up to date on the latest research in early childhood education. 

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When do your students nap? 

Our rest time is roughly between 1-2:30/3:00 pm. Starting after lunchtime, as students finish their meals, they head inside to prepare for rest time (use the bathroom, wash hands and face, take off shoes, grab their lovies). Upon waking, students put on shoes, use the restroom/are changed and head to afternoon snack. 

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My child no longer naps, what does naptime look like for my child?

Since our students are being constantly stimulated throughout the day and exerting so much energy, we believe it is necessary for them to have a moment of rest and recharge during the school day. It is our policy that all students rest quietly for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, your child will then be offered a quiet activity. Should your child fall asleep during the nap period, it is because their body is in need of rest and per our policy, we will not wake a student if they fall asleep. 

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Does my child have to be potty trained before starting school?

Yes, we no longer accept students who are not potty trained with the exception of nap-time pull-ups.