"MONTESSORI IS AN EDUCATION FOR INDEPENDENCE,
​PREPARING NOT JUST FOR SCHOOL, BUT FOR LIFE. "  - MARIA MONTESSORI
Does my child need to be potty trained to attend? Yes.

​What is your daily schedule?
Preschool: 9:00 - 9:15am ARRIVAL
  • Children get themselves ready: remove coats, backpacks, change shoes.
9:00 - 11:00 UNINTERRUPTED WORK TIME
  • Children choose work that interests them, and work independently, cooperatively with friends or with a teacher one on one or in small groups.
11:00 - 11:15 CIRCLE TIME

11:15 - 11:45 OUTSIDE PLAY/WORK TIME (weather permitting)
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11:45 - NOON: PICK-UP
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How do you teach academics in preschool?
We believe in teaching children how to learn through their own investigation and exploration to become independent lifelong learners.
​The focus of Knowledge House education is on helping children learn how to be self-directed in order to be able learn independently through their own desire to learn.
We all learn best when we are truly interested in something. Our program is unique in that we allow ample room for play and exploration in learning from our materials. We help children understand that they can learn about what interests them independently and in their own way.
​We provide exposure to academics through all of our materials but do not push children to learn too much before they are ready.

Readiness requires the developmental ability, interest and desire of the child to learn. We believe in helping children move forward as they are ready but do not force it to the point that the child doesn't enjoy learning anymore. Our students are exposed to letter recognition, sounds, number recognition, counting and other skills children need to learn before Kindergarten. ​

How does the Preschool Montessori program and its materials work? Children are naturally drawn to work with materials that they find interesting and are ready to learn from. When a child shows interest in a material or a teacher sees that a child may be ready to learn from a particular activity, a lesson in how to use the material is given. When the child is able to complete the activity, the teacher will introduce a related activity that builds on the knowledge they have already learned.
What makes Montessori education different? 
In a Montessori classroom, children learn by active participation, not just through listening, watching or through group activities. Preschool children are allowed and encouraged to choose their own work materials. The Montessori teacher observes each child’s ability and readiness and introduces them to activities according to what they are ready to learn. Children are free to work at their own pace and progress as quickly or slowly as they need to.

Knowledge House values independence,
self-reliance and respect for others. Our students are taught to be as self-reliant and independent as they can be for their own developmental level. They learn to set up and clean up their work before getting out new materials and serve themselves snack and clean up independently. The children learn social skills and practice manners and problem solving daily. ​

Why is there a 2- 3 year age range in your preschool programs? 
​It's the Montessori way. Children of varying ages work very well together and learn quite a lot from each other.  Younger children learn from observing the older children and want to try the activities they see them doing. Older children find themselves as role models for the younger children and solidify what they know and gain confidence as they teach others. Each class has a range of abilities among the children who may all be in different developmental stages. The children blend and are accepting of each other and are not singled out for being less or more advanced than others.

Do you teach religion or have any religious foundation or affiliation? No, we do not. All children are welcome to attend. ​
Will you teach my child to learn to read school?  
In preschool, some but not all children will begin reading small words. In traditional Montessori education children learn letter sounds and how to write letters before they learn to read. Many materials are designed to help children with fine motor skills needed for writing. At Knowledge House we teach letter names and sounds in conjunction with printing skills. Young children are learning about language from their environment all the time. We provide an environment rich in pre-reading skills and opportunities for children to be exposed to spoken and written word and don't force children in reading. Daily exposure to written words and spoken language is the key to igniting the child's interest in and ability to read.

Do you teach Kindergarten?
Children of Kindergarten age are welcome to attend. We always have a few children who are homeschooling or putting off Kindergarten for a year. Students will be exposed to Kindergarten level work but we don't follow a formal Kindergarten program.
 
Do you require a yearly contract?  
No. We accept new students throughout the year and will adjust tuition for children starting school after the first of the month. Enrollment is on a month to month basis (we don't require a yearly contract). We require a 30 day notice should you choose to un-enroll your child. If you un-enroll and wish to re-enroll, another registration fee is required. 

How do you handle discipline?             We use positive reinforcement, redirection and natural consequences work to correct most behavior issues. When children have  problems with others, we help them to learn how to work it out with each other. We discuss appropriate behaviors individually and as a class. When a child has difficulty with behaviors or following directions, we talk with them about expectations and the reasons why we follow rules. Redirection also works well. If a child requires constant one on one supervision to keep himself/herself or others safe, they may not be ready for our environment. In this case we will discuss with parents the possibility of withdrawal from the school and trying again later when the child may be more ready.

What is the HiMama Parent Communication app?
HiMama is a program we utilize for check-in and check-out, to process online payments and to provide daily reports and photos to parents to share a bit of their child's day.
"The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives."
 Robert Hutchins