Programs
Inspiring Growth Through Montessori Education
At Child Garden Montessori, we are committed to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. Our Montessori programs are designed to inspire independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.
We have 3 Classroom Levels: Nidos (Infants), Toddlers, and Casa (preschool through Kindergarten). In addition, we offer the following programs: Music, Hot Lunch and Snacks, Extended Day, and Summer enrichment activities. All of these programs are INCLUDED in the tuition except Summer Enrichment, for which there is a small activities fee.
See below for more information about each program.
Nido (6 Weeks – 16 Months)
The Nido environment provides a nurturing haven where our youngest learners build secure attachments with their caregivers. We ignite their natural curiosity through safe exploration, allowing them to develop physical skills and coordination. Simultaneously, they are immersed in a world of language and positive social interactions, fostering confidence, a love of learning, and the foundation of their language development.
In the Nido Environment:
Age appropriate Montessori activities are available for the infants to choose, explore and learn about their environment.
Infants are never restrained in chairs or seats except when taken on walks in the buggies
We support both breast milk and formula bottle feeding
Infants join their friends at the table for snacks and lunch time when old enough to sit up
Infants learn to eat from plates and drink from small open cups in preparation for the toddler environment
Infants enjoy a weekly music class provided by McPhail music instructor
Cloth diaper service is included in the tuition, minimizing the number of diapers the parents need to provide
Toddler (16 Months – 3 Years)
The Toddler program is designed to support the child’s growing independence in care of themselves, exploring their environment, language development, and increasing control of movement.
In the Toddler Environment:
Children work independently, observe others, explore freely, and express their curiosity and creativity.
The Toddler Montessori environment is rich in practical life activities such as flower arranging, window washing and table washing, for the children to gain further mastery of their movement
Toddlers are rapidly learning spoken language and want to know the names of everything around them. The Toddler Guide prepares and presents many name lessons to the children, and the Toddler environment is rich in language activities
The Montessori Toddler curriculum supports toilet awareness and toileting independence. A cloth underwear service, which is included in the tuition, is provided to foster toilet awareness.
The toddler staff support learning nap independence
Weekly hands-on toddler music class by McPhail music instructor
Casa (3 Years – 6 Years)
From birth to age 6, children are naturally driven to explore and absorb their environment. Around age 3, they begin to make conscious choices and take an active role in their own learning. The Casa Montessori environment nurtures this growing independence in all areas—cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. Our approach centers on the child, promoting self-development through carefully prepared environments and hands-on learning experiences.
Key Areas of Focus:
Independence in decision-making, self-care, and care of the environment, both indoor and outdoor. Children engage in self-directed activities, fostering autonomy and concentration, a cornerstone of the Montessori philosophy.
Social development and lessons in Grace and Courtesy,
Sensorial awareness through sight, sound, touch, taste and smell
Spoken and Written language development,
Artistic exploration and development,
Development of early math, literacy, science, and cultural studies
Freedom of Exploration: Children are given the space to explore materials and concepts at their own pace, nurturing intrinsic motivation and discovery.
Cultivating Curiosity, Creativity and Critical Thinking: Our environment encourages children to ask questions, think critically, and express their unique ideas through various creative outlets.
Daily Routine: A balance of independent and group work with Montessori materials; independent snack, large motor play (indoor and outdoor), lunch, and rest time.
Kindergarten (5-6 years)
We provide the option for your child to stay at Child Garden for their Kindergarten year, which is considered their capstone year in the Montessori early childhood curriculum.
Kindergarteners continue their learning from where they are, expanding their development of reading, writing, math, geography, science, art, music, and practical life skills.
Kindergarten gives children the opportunity to be a leader in the classroom, helping younger children and developing mastery and confidence.
In Kindergarten, a student will take on more responsibilities in the classroom, and even may do activities with other classrooms such as read to the Toddlers or Nidos, or work collaboratively with other Kindergarteners in the school.
When a child graduates from Child Garden as a Kindergartner, they are qualified to go on to First Grade in a public or private school.
Extended Day
(Before and After Care)
Before care is from 7:30-8:00 am.
After care is from 4:00-5:30 pm.
Casa children are in the Upper gym or playground for Before and After care
Toddlers have Before and After Care in the Lower gym or the South Lawn
Music
Our music program is provided by McPhail Music School. The program is called “Sing, Play, Learn”, and is specifically designed for the early childhood age level. All the music is live with instruments and voice.
Infant music classes are 20 minutes of music, rhythm and movement with various tactile objects such as shakers, scarves, and bean bags.
Toddler classes are 20 minutes and expand on the music concepts, providing opportunities for the Toddlers to learn about various instruments in a fun and engaging way. The Toddlers start to learn to sing simple songs.
Casa classes are 30 minutes long, and the children start to learn more advanced concepts of pitch, melody, and rhythms. They explore even more instruments and get to touch and make sounds with various instruments. The Casa children develop a repertoire of songs that they can sing and play with their friends and family.
Lunch and Snack Program
Hot Lunch: prepared on site by our chef, Aydan. Every lunch includes a protein, grain, vegetable, fruit, and milk according to USDA guidelines. Whenever possible, we use whole grains.
Special diets: We accommodate special diets, including vegan and vegetarian, as well as substitutes for food allergies.
Nut free: Our school is nut-free to minimize the risk of allergic reactions
Snacks: We serve 1 snack in the morning and one in the afternoon
Each snack includes food from 2 food groups
Snacks include fruits, vegetables, cheeses, bagels, bread and English muffins, tortillas and spreads, chips, and crackers
Summer Fun and Enrichment Activities
Child Garden provides a fun variety of activities for the summer, from June through August. We charge a small fee for summer activities, and have a special summer calendar with weekly activities.
Water Days where the children play with sprinklers, splash pads and more
In-house field trips where other organizations come onsite, such as the Petting Zoo, Raptor Center, and Art Specialist
Walking Field Trips: We have picnic days at Loring Park, take walks to the Walker Sculpture Garden, and walks to the Farmers Market, as well as other walks in the neighborhood.
Bus Field Trips: The Casa children go on bus field trips to locations such as the Dodge Nature Center, the Children’s Museum, and the Science Museum
Schedule a Tour
Experience Child Garden Montessori firsthand! Visiting our school is the best way to explore our classrooms, meet our team, and learn how we support each child’s development.
Phone: (612) 377-1698 | Email: office@childgardenmontessori.com