Frequently Asked Questions

The Montessori Learning Center was opened in 1982 and has been at its current location since 2012.

Most educators and psychologists today agree that the single most important period of development of a person’s intelligence occurs between birth and age five. A child’s mind is extremely absorbent and his curiosity is at a peak during these early years. When properly nourished and stimulated, the child’s mind forms patterns for learning that serve him well throughout his life. The Montessori system of preschool education is one of the most effective and fastest growing methods to guide a child through these critical years.

Day care centers are generally set up to care for children on an all day basis. Nursery schools are generally focused on socialization and play. Preschools are oriented toward education experiences, combined with socialization and play.

In most schools, the children are taught educational concepts in a group by a teacher. In a Montessori school, the children learn concepts spontaneously as they work independently with the many materials in the learning environment.

The Montessori Method of Education is a unique approach to learning. Rather than teaching the child concepts, an environment is designed to stimulate the child’s interest and facilitate his or her understanding and learning capacities spontaneously – with little or no adult supervision.

The main purpose is to develop an environment wherein the child can unfold spontaneously and manifest the greater person within. As the poet Wordsworth wrote,”The child is the father of the man.” As the child begins to develop his or her inner self, his or her love of life and learning expands continuously.

More than 75 years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori was Italy’s first woman medical doctor. Using her scientific background, she began observing children in the Children’s Homes of Rome. On the basis of her observations, she developed unique materials and a child-centered learning environment. She was one of the first people to revolutionize freedom of expression, self-education, and learning through the use of movement and senses.

The Montessori classroom is a child-sized world. Whatever is in the world outside can be incorporated meaningfully into the Montessori classroom. To a child, the world is unmanageable-it is too big, too complex, and too confusing. By careful selection of materials by the teachers, an environment is created that allows the child a place to explore life on a level he can understand. The material and exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. This prepared environment entices the child to proceed at his or her own pace from simple activities to more complex ones. Throughout this process, the child’s natural curiosity is satisfied and he or she begins to experience the joy of discovering the world around him or her. Materials and curriculum revolve around practical life, sensorial, language, math, geography, history, science, art, music, drama, and dance.

As the children develop their sense of pride in their work, a feeling of confidence, well-being, and joy begins to manifest itself in the child. A new child is born. A classroom of Montessori children is a joy to watch. There seems to be a spirit of respect, love, and cooperation among the children that is not often found.

The concept of freedom in the classroom is a freedom within limits. A child is allowed to work freely as long as he does not disturb others. Actually, the children having the freedom to follow their interests are generally happy and busily involved with their work.

Dr. Maria Montessori outlined various periods of sensitivity. During these times, a child is more capable of and interested in learning specific concepts. At the age of three years, a special sense of order, concentration, coordination, and independence begin to emerge. This time is ideal to begin a child’s training in Montessori since the child is at the perfect period to build a strong foundation for future learning.

Children who have been in a Montessori environment are generally very flexible and adjust quite easily to the public school situation. They are generally better students and spend their time in more productive ways because of their self-direction and positive attitude toward learning.

The Montessori classroom experience is for five consecutive days in order to allow the spontaneous learning of the child to flow smoothly. A child taken in and out of school every other day does not have the same opportunity to pursue unfolding interests.

Socialization is very much a part of the Montessori Method. In the classroom, you will notice the children interacting continuously, choosing to work on projects together, and older children helping younger children. Each day there is some group activity and outdoor play.

Through independent activities, all students participate in practical life exercises to expand their experience and participation in the everyday activities of their culture. These life-skills emphasize the sequence and order necessary for the successful completion of any task and enhance the child’s further development of motor skills and precision.

You may put your child on the waiting list at any time, and you will be contacted in February to schedule an appointment to observe the school. After observing the school’s program you may register your child at that time. Should you choose to register your child, you will be expected to pay your registration fee ($150.00) and August tuition.

Your child must be 3 by September 1 to attend our school and meet the required age to move up to the next class (4 by September 1 for PreKindergarten and 5 by September 1 for Kindergarten).

No, each of our classes are a full time program, which means that your child is expected to attend school Monday – Friday, August- June. The Montessori system of preschool education is one of the most effective and fastest growing methods to guide a child through the early years of education. We believe routine is essential to a child and that attending school every day will enable your child to grow within the school community.

Yes, there are several scholarships available for school age children: kindergarten through 3rd grade.Your family may be eligible for one of them through the state of Florida. More information can be found on SUFS’s Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and SUFS’s Gardiner Scholarship (PLSA) at www.stepupforstudents.org.

Yes! Montessori Learning Center will offer aftercare until 5:30 PM. (Dependent upon interest)

Our school does not have a full service kitchen and it is the family’s responsibility to provide their child’s meals and drinks.

Since the parents are the officers and board members of the Montessori Learning Center, parental involvement is encouraged through conferences, observations, classroom assistance, periodic general meetings, etc. The teachers feel that the more parents can understand the experiences of the child in the classroom, the better able they are to follow through at home. The child benefits even more from his or her Montessori experience because he or she has a consistent environment in which to grow.