Primary Program
~Re-Enrollment for our current families for the 2024 - 2025 academic year starts April 1, 2024 ~
Spaces still available open up to our community during Open Enrollment starting May 1, 2024
See Updated Rates on the Primary admissions page
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Our primary program serves children ages 3 through 6 years old in a prepared environment based on Dr. Maria Montessori’s research and teachings. The primary classroom emphasizes following the child, and respecting each child’s individual needs and developmental pace. We value the beauty of the multi-age classrooms where younger children learn from older children, and older children gain confidence through helping younger children. The Montessori trained and certified lead teachers guide each child through our curriculum areas (practical life, sensorial, math, language, and “cultural” materials such as art, science, and geography) based developmental knowledge and observations of the child engaging in our classroom environment. In this classroom, the children become active, independent, and self-directed learners. The goal of MMCH’s primary program is to facilitate the natural development of the whole child, which means equally supporting their social, emotional, and academic needs.
Our primary program is offered 4 or 5 days per week, from 8:30 to 3:00. Before and after care is offered from 7:30-8:30am and 3:00-5:00pm at an additional cost. MMCH does not offer after care on Fridays, when we close at 3:00.
IS MY CHILD READY TO ENROLL?
Most children are ready for a Montessori primary classroom around the age of 3. All programs at Maine Mountain Children’s House allow children to explore the materials in the classroom while respecting self, others, and the environment. In our large primary classroom space, the lead teacher works with a child one-on-one or in small groups while the rest of the children move about independently exploring and choosing work with the guidance of the assistant teacher.
When your child is ready to go to school in our primary room, they should demonstrate a basic level of independence within our classroom at the time of enrollment. This means the child would need to have the ability to be safe, kind, and gentle without frequent direction from the teachers. Please consider whether this is something your child is currently practicing at home or in other environments, as this is a key step in having your child feel successful in a Montessori classroom which promotes “freedom within limits”.
Additionally, it is also important that your child be able to use the toilet independently (from beginning to end) and to dress themselves, with minimal help from adults (unless a developmental delay has been diagnosed in which case we would have further discussions and considerations). Occasional accidents are understandable, but true independence while toileting is a developmental milestone that leads to other important steps necessary in the primary classroom.
At Maine Mountain Children’s House, it is part of our core values to provide a nurturing, supportive environment for children of all abilities and learning styles, so if you are wondering if our Montessori school is the right fit for your child, please contact us.
INTERESTED IN ENROLLING IN THE PRIMARY PROGRAM?
Visit the enrollment process page to see your next steps, including meeting our staff and setting up a classroom visit!
Visit the admissions page for program prices and enrollment forms.