Toddler Program
Our prepared environment and program for toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years includes a structured 1.5 to 2-hour cycle of morning routines that promote independence, followed by outdoor play and afternoon activities. We emphasize fine and gross motor development, language skills, and self-expression through group circle activities featuring stories and music, educational activities with prepared materials, and practical life activities such as food preparation, dressing, hand washing, face washing, hair combing, eating, drinking, and sleeping.
The environment features shelves with sensory, fine motor, and language materials available for exploration throughout waking periods. During diapering, toileting, and feeding routines, children are encouraged to communicate their needs and develop independence.
Student progress is measured and shared through regular developmental assessments and parent-teacher conferences.
The teacher’s task is to observe and support each child in their individual journey. The multi-aged grouping within the classroom supports each child in this task by exposing them to a variety of social roles.
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Ratio: 1/5 (teacher/child) for mixed ages class from 18 months to 3 years.
15 students per classroom
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Staff: 1 AMI-trained teacher guide + 3 Assistants for 15 students
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7:30-9:00AM Morning Care
9:00 Arrival + Learning Cycle
9:30 Snack
9:45 Diaper Change/Bathroom Use
10:00 Outdoor Recess
10:45 Circle Time
11:00 Lunch Time
11:45 Cleanup + Diaper Change / Bathroom Use
12:00 Nap Time
2:30 Wake Up + Diaper Change/Bathroom
3:00 Snack/Montessori activities
3:45PM-4:00PM Dismissal (or Extended Care)
4:00-5:30PM Extended Care
Academic Year Information
School Day:
9AM - 4PM
Arrival/Car Drop-off Line: 9AM (Arriving after 9:30 is marked as late)
Extended-Care:
Morning-care: 7:30-9AM
Extended-Care: 4PM-5:30PM
Enrollment:
Full-time (5-days/week) only
Academic year from September to end of August, with summer camp in July and August.
Additional Notes:
Once the child turns 3 and they are fully bathroom independent, they will transition to the Casa program at the beginning of the new academic year in September (or sooner per availability).
Snacks and lunch are provided by the school. All lunch items and snacks are nut-free.
Learning at the Toddler level
During the first three years of life, your child develops more rapidly than at any other time. This phase is crucial as your child absorbs large amounts of information from the environment through observation and experiences. These foundational years set the stage for later learning—the stronger the foundation, the more your child can build upon it.
Our Montessori Toddler program offer a curriculum tailored to each child’s unique skills and interests in English and French. Based on daily observations, teachers introduce new materials and activities that spark curiosity and stimulate learning. Learning objectives for your child at this age include developing language in English and French, concentration, problem-solving skills, visual discrimination, and physical coordination.
The routines of everyday living form the core of our Montessori Toddlerprograms. Activities promote independence, order, coordination, and concentration, supporting social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. These learning activities include:
Practical Life
Our Montessori toddler program emphasizes practical life activities that foster independence and confidence in young children. These activities are tailored to each child’s individual capacity and include:
Self-Care: Children learn essential self-care skills such as washing, dressing, toileting, and eating. They are encouraged to perform these tasks independently, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-reliance.
Care of the Environment: Toddlers engage in activities that teach them to care for their surroundings. This includes cleaning, food preparation, and food service. They also participate in plant care and animal care, developing a sense of responsibility and respect for living things.
Movement
Through movement activities, children build essential motor skills and develop confidence in their physical abilities, laying the groundwork for healthy, active lifestyles. Large-motor activities, conducted both indoors and outdoors, include walking, climbing, running, jumping, balancing, and climbing steps.
Fine Motor Skills
Children gain confidence in their abilities, learn to focus on tasks, and develop essential skills that support their overall growth and independence. Fine motor skill development is essential for fostering independence and concentration. Activities such as reaching, grasping, picking up objects, transferring objects, using tools and utensils, and engaging in art projects are integrated into daily routines. These activities help children refine their hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and precision.
Language
In our bilingual Montessori toddler program, language activities enrich vocabulary and foster social language skills in both English and French. Activities include naming objects, describing actions and intentions, discussing pictures, engaging in conversations, and enjoying music and singing. This rich linguistic environment supports dual-language development.
Through these language activities, children expand their vocabulary, improve communication skills, and gain confidence in expressing themselves in both languages, laying the foundation for future bilingual proficiency.
Social Development
Children learn manners and appropriate social behaviors through interactions with peers, teachers, and adult-led small group games. These interactions teach children how to share, take turns, express their feelings, and practice empathy and respect for others. The mixed-age classroom environment further enhances social learning, providing opportunities for older children to model positive behaviors and younger children to learn from their peers.
Through these social activities, children build strong interpersonal skills, form positive relationships, and develop a sense of community and cooperation.