Key Features
Making your experience at Montessori at Bowser a positive one right from the start is our number-one goal. Here are a few details you can take care of in advance, so when the big day arrives, you can concentrate on helping your child feel comfortable in a new situation.
1.Touring our facility
One of the best things you can do before enrolling your child is tour our center and meet our staff. A tour gets your child excited about the first day of school. Your child can see the fun activities he or she will participate in, explore the classroom, meet the teacher, and make new friendsall with you present for support and encouragement.
2.Enrolling your child
Prior to the first day of school, please complete the admission application, handbook agreement, medical forms, and permission forms and give them to the director. Completing this paperwork may take some time, but its critical to your childs safety and required by state and local licensing agencies.
Read More..We are an equal opportunity provider, so we consider all applications for enrollment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.
A nonrefundable registration fee is required for enrollment. Its an annual fee collected each fall. If you pay the initial registration fee three months or less prior to the designated date, you can forego payment until the following year.
3.Keeping children safe
To help ensure your childs safety, all of our centers feature a Secure Access System, located at the front entrance. Each parent receives an individual security code necessary to enter the building. To help us maintain the highest level of security, please keep your code confidential. When your child no longer attends the center, your code is erased from the system.
Read More..In addition, most of our classrooms are equipped with observation cameras, and monitors are located in the directors office. Youre welcome to observe your childs classroom at any time.
4. Picking up your child
On your enrollment forms, you provide information about people authorized to pick up your child and those to contact in case of an emergency. We keep a file containing their names, addresses, and phone numbers. Please let the director know in writing as soon as possible if any of this information changes.
Read More..If you want someone not listed in this file to pick up your child, please fill out the daily authorized pick-up sheet at the front desk. That person will be required to show a photo I.D. prior to releasingyour child.
When divorce is an issue, please indicate on your enrollment form the name of the custodial parent and those authorized to pick up your child. The custodial parent must give us a copy of the divorce decree, which will be kept confidential in your childs file.
If you have an order of protection or restraining order that pertains to your childs protection, please notify us immediately and provide a copy of the legal document.
5.Making your child feel secure
Change can be hard for people of any age, so feeling somewhat apprehensive about your new school is normalboth for you and for your child. Following are a few tips to help your childs first day go well:
Read More..- If your schedule allows, bring your child in to visit before the first day.
- Talk with your child about the teacher and the children he or she saw and met.
- Discuss the daily routine with your child.
- Ask the director about upcoming activities, so your child can get excited about some of the fun things the class will do.
6.Wearing the right clothes
Our program is filled with hands-on learning opportunitiesactivities that can sometimes be messy. So we recommend you dress your child in casual, washable clothing with comfortable shoes that are safe for large motor activities.
Read More..Since our classrooms go outside daily, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the days weather. Bring extra clothing to store in your childs personal cubbyincluding a shirt, pants, underwear, and socksfor messy times or when an accident occurs. Make sure to label these clothes, as well as items like coats and jackets that come off during the day.
7.Bringing toys and personal belongings
If your child wants to bring a toy or other item for show-and-tell, please let the teacher or director know and label it for an extra measure of security. And if your child wants to bring a security item for rest time, thats okay, too. The rest of the time, however, we prefer that children use our toys and equipment instead of bringing them from home, in order to help us avoid losing or breaking these items.
8.Making the first day a positive adventure
Starting school is an exciting prospect for little learners, but for some children the first day can also be confusing. As concerned partners who care about your childs happiness, we work with you to make your childs first day as happy as possible. Here are a few things you can do to make it go smoothly:
9.Arriving and departing
When you arrive and leave Montessori at Bowser each day, sign your child in and out along with the time of arrival or departure. These forms are located at the front counter. Once you have signed your child in, please help him or her to the appropriate classroom.
10.Helping your child adjust:
When the first day arrives, you can help your child with the transition in many ways. Talk with your child about the exciting activities that will happen throughout the day. Let your child bring a special item to feel more secure.
Read More..Take a little extra time in the morning and stay as long as necessary to help your child feel comfortable. We assure you, from our experience, that your child will settle down shortly after you leave. Feel free to call us at any time during the day to see how your child is doing.
Some children adjust easily to their first day of school, but others find it difficult to say goodbye. Both reactions are normal. Children are individuals who react to situations differently. If your child is hesitant about your departure, take a moment to reassure him or her that youll be back at a certain time. This uneasiness usually doesnt last for more than two or three weeks, so please be patient. If youd like some suggestions on how to help your child adjust, feel free to ask the teacher or director.
11.Communicating to build a partnership:
We pride ourselves on effective communication with parents. Our open-door policy means we encourage you to visit the center at any time and are always open to your suggestions or questions concerning your childs day.
Read More..We offer many ways to communicate. Our staff is available on a daily basis to listen and discuss your wishes regarding your childs needs. We also communicate through our monthly news brief, monthly teacher letters, daily reports regarding your childs day, and a parent board located in the foyer. Additionally, please feel free to call whenever you have questions or concerns. Communication is an important component in the relationship we have with our families.
12.Opening the magical doors of knowledge
Learning is the technique of acquiring skills and understanding. Our curriculum was developed with the whole child as its focus. Because each child is developmentally unique,
Read More..we give your child the opportunity to grow as an individual. Activities, materials, and teaching methods are age-appropriate, creating a classroom environment that challenges your childs learning potential at all developmental levels.
Children learn best by doing. Our curriculum is an eclectic approach to early childhood education, providing numerous opportunities for exploration, hands-on activities, and child-initiated choices. Our approach to education provides a learning opportunity that encourages children to become independent and develop an understanding of their environment. It gives children a beginning foundation for success in school.
13.Infants
Soft objects, books, toys that change how they look or sound when manipulated, and music are all a part of our warm, responsive infant environment. So are loving caregivers, who spend the day talking, singing, and playing games with your child.
Read More..Each baby has its own crib, furnished with a sheet and a bumper pad. Feel free to bring a blanket and other items to make your baby feel secure. A daily written report keeps you up-to-date on your babys sleeping, eating, and diapering schedule.
14Toddlers
Rapid development is part of being a toddler. And toddlers thrive in our safe, nurturing environment where theyre encouraged to think through their actions, solve problems, and experience new things.
Read More..We provide written progress reports each day documenting your toddlers eating, napping, and diapering routine, as well as activities your child participated in throughout the day.
15Two-year-olds
Two-year-olds are curious explorers of the world around them. Our enriching environment, range of educational toys and materials, and self-directed activities help enhance their sense of discovery and encourage their independenceall of which prepares them for the adventures of preschool.
Read More..Toilet training is another part of our daily routine. When you feel your child is ready, we are here to assist you in this adventure. During the toilet-training process, please let the teacher know what is most comfortable for you and your child. We provide a daily report with your two-year-olds eating, napping, and toileting routine, as well as things accomplished during the day.
16Preschool
Your preschool child is involved in many hands-on activities to enhance his or her learning experiences. Our approach to education provides a learning opportunity that encourages children to become independent and develop an understanding of their environment.
Read More..Our day is filled with a variety of choices for learning, with a good balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated activities. Our classrooms are divided into Interest Areas that encourage your child to explore and imagine while developing school-readiness skills. We provide a brief report informing you about your childs day.
17School-age
School-age children need a break from schoola creative, fun, and relaxed environment in which to learn. In our less formal setting, your child can play games with friends, create art projects, have fun outside, challenge his or her computer skills, relax in our quiet area, or complete homework assignments.
Read More..To accommodate working parents, we offer transportation to and from many local elementary schools. We also provide a full-day program when your child is out of school. And during the summer months, we offer a camp filled with fun activities and field trips to enrich vacation time. (An additional fee is required for field trips.)
18Discipline
Redirection and a positive approach are the best way to discipline. A positive attitude is always our guide when correcting inappropriate behavior. Generally, the incidents we encounter are minor and warrant a simple redirect approach. For inappropriate classroom behavior, we implement a time-out in a quiet area.
Read More..Children who misbehave are expected to stay in the area for one minute per year of age. Infants and toddlers are redirected, and time-out is not implemented. Occasionally, more severe disciplinary problems may arise. At these times, open communication between parents and the director is critical to resolving these issues.
