Montessori is a scientific approach to early childhood education that was developed by Doctor Maria Montessori (1870-1952), Physician, Anthropologist, and Pedagogue, more than 100 years ago. The Montessori Method is based on her belief in the creative potential of children, their drive to learn, and the right of each child to be treated as an individual.
The Montessori Method offers a broad view of education as an aid and a preparation for life. Education is personalised to each child’s learning style, stage of development, and interests. Children develop complete academic and wellbeing foundations through hands-on experience, real-world application, and problem solving.
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) is best known as the founder of the Montessori Method of Education. She was a Physician, Anthropologist, and Pedagogue who greatly influenced the lives and education of people around the world.
The Montessori Method is based on more than 50 years of scientific research into the process of how children learn as they progress from birth to adulthood. Montessori recognised that every child is born with natural intelligence that can only develop with the right stimulation during their first years of life.
She also discovered that children pass through a number of distinct developmental stages, and that at each stage, children have similar interests, preferred activities, and approaches to learning.
Based on these findings, Montessori developed a framework to provide children with the ideal learning environment, materials, and guidance to fulfil their potential during each crucial stage of their early childhood development.
Montessori education results in high levels of motivation, satisfaction, overall wellbeing and academic competency because it is tailored to each child’s needs and interests. There is a direct link between children’s sense of self-mastery, empowerment, and self-worth, and their ability to learn and retain new skills and information.
Montessori’s work lives on today and continues to be proven successful across diverse cultures and continents because it recognises the child’s innate need for respect, independence, and real-world experience.
The Montessori approach to early childhood education is diversely different to play-based childcare services. Education Programs are child-led and self-paced, while guided, assessed and enriched by knowledgeable Montessori trained educators. In Montessori Education, the prepared environment, the educator, and the child, come together to form the curriculum.
Imagine Montessori SD Education Programs are based on Doctor Montessori’s research and findings on how to best support the complete development of the child during their crucial formative years. Programs are child-led and self-paced, while guided, assessed and enriched by knowledgable educators. In Montessori, the classroom, the students, and the educators come together to form the education program.
Montessori materials are ingenious hands-on learning tools that are designed to stimulate children’s minds, encourage exploration, and inspire independent learning. They are enticing, simple to use, and intentionally support children’s learning and development. Together, the Montessori materials come together to form the Montessori Curriculum. Montessori materials teach one skill at a time to provide children with the opportunity to master key learning outcomes through repetition and practice. Doctor Montessori stated: “Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands.”
The Montessori classroom is referred to as the ‘prepared environment’ because it is purposefully arranged by a trained Montessori educator to create the optimal learning environment for children. The environment is characterised by beauty, order and accessibility. Furniture, learning materials, and sinks are child-sized to support children’s independence. Shelves are open and accessible to invite interest and exploration. Everything has a purpose and a place.
The Montessori Curriculum is a child-centred learning framework that incorporates the cognitive, physical, social and emotional aspects of child development. There are five key areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Studies. Each curriculum area includes a sequence of Montessori materials that each teach one learning outcome. As children progress through the curriculum they develop a complete understanding of each subject area.
The guiding principles of Montessori education were developed by Doctor Maria Montessori to provide a framework for how to best support children in the learning process. Montessori education is based on the belief that children are naturally intelligent, that they want to learn, and that they have immense potential. The Montessori Method is designed to support the complete development of the child and prepare them with the skills and knowledge to thrive.
Imagine Montessori SD is the leading and largest Montessori childcare group in Australia; however, not all Montessori childcare centres are affiliated with us. This is because the Montessori approach to education spans over 100 years and is not trademarked. As such, other childcare providers may also offer Montessori Education Programs or Montessori-inspired curriculums. While we can’t advise on the authenticity of other service’s education programs, we recommend that families look out for:
It’s a good idea to start thinking about childcare options when you find out that you’re expecting. Researching childcare centres is one of the many exciting things to do when pregnant or expecting.
We encourage all families to book a tour and join the Waiting List for as many Montessori Academy childcare centres as they like. It’s important to get a good feel for the centre, understand how the education program works, and assess whether the campus will meet your family’s needs once your little one arrives.
Families on the Waiting List are contacted by the Family Care Team on a quarterly basis to check-in, update your details and expected start date, and provide important updates about the centre.
The best time to start childcare depends on each family’s situation, needs, and preferences. Children who begin the Montessori Program at an early age typically settle in quickly and enjoy the full spectrum of benefits associated with the Montessori Method. These children are more likely to progress to the advanced Montessori materials in the Preschool Program as they have developed a complete academic foundation across all curriculum areas. However, children of all ages thrive in the Montessori early learning environment.
Each family has different needs when it comes to looking for a childcare centre. It’s a good idea to rank the factors below in accordance with your family’s needs to guide your decision making process after you’ve completed a tour.
If you’re interested in enrolling, we encourage you to book a tour of the Montessori Academy childcare centres that are closest to you. Families are welcome and encouraged to visit as many Montessori Academy childcare centres as they like. It’s important that you find the right centre, staff team, and facilities that will best nurture and support your child.
During your tour you will have the opportunity to meet the Centre Manager, learn more about Montessori education, and ask any questions you may have about the program or facilities. We encourage families to get a good feel for what we do so they understand what’s so special about our educational approach and teaching approach.
If you are interested in starting, the Centre Manager will provide you with an Enrollment Kit or Waiting List depending on your expected start date and centre vacancies. A member of our Family Care Team will follow up with you after the tour to answer any outstanding questions and to assist you with the paperwork.
If you join the Waiting List, you will receive quarterly updates on your child’s status, as well as useful information about the centre, and Montessori learning resources.
All Montessori Academy childcare centres require children to be vaccinated in accordance with National Legislation. An up to date Immunisation History Statement must be supplied prior to enrolling. If your child’s immunisation status is not up to date, you will need to provide proof that your child is on a catch up schedule. This will be shown up on your Immunisation History Statement once you have visited your General Practitioner to organise a catch up schedule.
If you’re interested in enrolling, we encourage you to book a tour of the Montessori Academy childcare centres that are closest to you. Families are welcome and encouraged to visit as many Montessori Academy childcare centres as they like. It’s important that you find the right centre, staff team, and facilities that will best nurture and support your child.
During your tour you will have the opportunity to meet the Centre Manager, learn more about Montessori education, and ask any questions you may have about the program or facilities. We encourage families to get a good feel for what we do so they understand what’s so special about our educational approach and teaching approach.
If you are interested in starting, the Centre Manager will provide you with an Enrollment Kit or Waiting List depending on your expected start date and centre vacancies. A member of our Family Care Team will follow up with you after the tour to answer any outstanding questions and to assist you with the paperwork.
If you join the Waiting List, you will receive quarterly updates on your child’s status, as well as useful information about the centre, and Montessori learning resources.
For families who aren’t ready to start childcare yet, it’s a great idea to join the Waiting List for your preferred Montessori Academy childcare centres. Families are welcome to join the Waiting List for as many centres as they would like for an administration fee of $50 per child.
We recommend that families join the Waiting List early (some families do this as soon as their child is born) and that you regularly update your details in the lead up to your child’s expected start date. Our Family Care Team will be in touch quarterly to touch-base and provide important updates about the centre.
Joining the Waiting List early provides greater assurance surrounding whether a position will be available when you are looking to start childcare. The best time to join the Waiting List is when your child is under the age of two. The infant room for ages 0-2 is the only room with a guaranteed annual intake as children will transition up to the toddler classroom and program.
Yes, attending a tour gives you an idea of the class and recreation environment you little will be involved. It also helps us create a bond with you and your child.
Yes, we highly encourage all new parents and students to sign up for a tour before an application is submitted.
The enrollment fee is one-time non-refundable payment of $350.
Attending an orientation session is an important part of making a successful transition to a Montessori Academy childcare centre.
Orientations provide families with an opportunity to support their child during their initial introduction to the Montessori environment.
Sessions typically run for 1-2 hours and provide new children with an introduction to the centre’s facilities, the daily routine, the Montessori learning environment, their classmates, and their educators.
The purpose of the orientation session is to help children transition to their new learning environment and support their sense of belonging to a nurturing Montessori learning community.
At Montessori Academy, we want to set your child up for a successful transition to childcare. This means ensuring that your child has all the comforts of home to feel safe and secure at their new home away from home. We ask that families pack the below items to ensure children have a sense of familiarity in their new setting.
We recommend that families contact their Centre Manager to discuss their arrival time for the first day. Where possible, your Centre Manager or child’s Room Leader will want to greet you and help support you in settling your child into their new environment. Once your child is settled into their new routine, we do recommend that all children arrive before 8:30am to ensure they make the most of the Montessori Work Cycle.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted warmly by your Centre Manager or your child’s Room Leader. They will show you how to sign in, where your child’s locker is, where to put their belongings, and where the bathrooms and ammenities are located. Next, they will introduce your child to their classmates, and welcome them to the classroom.
Once your child has been introduced, we recommend that families say a quick goodbye at the door, and leave the classroom. It’s best not to linger as this can cause confusion and prolong separation anxiety.
Families are welcome to stay on the premises for a short period of time (out of sight) as their child settles in. Please talk to your Centre Manager if you need any support with settling your child or if you have any questions or concerns. We want all families and children to feel welcomed and supported so that they make a smooth transition to their Montessori early learning community.
Saying goodbye on the first day can be an anxious time for children and parents. We recommend that you say goodbye at the door with a kiss, cuddle, and a smile on your face as you walk out the door. Remind your child that they will have a great day and that you will be back later to pick them up. It’s important your child knows that you feel comfortable and positive about their new environment.
We recommend that families don’t linger, and that if you choose to stay a while, that you remain out of sight as this can be confusing and prolong separation anxiety. It can also cause other children to become unsettled which disrupts the peace and harmony of the Montessori classroom. Please talk to your Centre Manager if you need any support. We want all families and children to feel welcomed and supported so that they make a smooth transition to their Montessori early learning community.
It’s very normal for children (and parents) to have feelings of anxiety when they first start childcare. It takes children time to get used to their new routine, build positive relationships with their educators and peers, and come to understand that their new environment is a fun, safe, and happy place. Supporting children with separation anxiety can be challenging; however, just remember that this stage will soon pass, and that most children are quite settled within a few minutes of their families leaving. If you are ever concerned, you are always welcome to call the centre to check in on your child, or book a meeting with the Centre Manager to discuss additional support for settling your child.
Our preschool teacher will send you photos and information about the activities your child is engaging in during the day.
We recommend that families pick up a little earlier during their child’s first week to help ease them into their new routine. Earlier pick up isn’t compulsory; however, many families have provided feedback that this was helpful for them. For example, you may have your child attend from 8 am – 1 pm on their first day, then 8 am – 2 pm on their second day, and an hour longer each day. A gradual transition allows children to progressively increase the amount of time they spend at childcare each day in preparation for their new routine.
Starting childcare can be a challenging time for families. It’s very common to feel anxious and uncertain at the beginning of your childcare journey. First and foremost, we want you to know that you are always welcome to share your feelings and experience with us, and that we are here to support you in any way we can. We are deeply honoured that you have entrusted us with the education and care of your child. We want to create a home away from home for your child and to provide you with a supportive community for you and your family.
Yes, we offer multiple schedules for our future students:
We required that all of our students be in the ages between of 2-6 years old prior to commencing classes.
Our preschool is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. We offer a flexible schedule for drop off and pick up within our business hours. If you require extended care outside of our business hours, please let us know at the time of enrollment (Additional fee might be added to your tuition)
We follow the schedule that has been given by the San Diego Unified School District of California.
No, it is not required. However, we help parents who are in the potty training process by reinforcing the students while they are in our care.
