Ages 15months – 3 years
In our Young Children’s Community (YCC), children between the ages of fifteen months and three years interact in a beautiful space prepared to meet their developmental needs. It is a nurturing environment where motor coordination, independence and language are cultivated.
Under the guidance of the Montessori-trained teacher and assistant, children participate joyfully in purposeful tasks, including food preparation, care of the self and care of the classroom. Our staff is experienced and skilled in supporting children and parents through important developmental activities such as eating, dressing and toileting. The environment is filled with opportunities for language, movement and coordination, art and music. Self-confidence is fostered in a respectful, collaborative, multi-age community. The toddler classrooms are equipped with easily accessible outdoor learning environments that are protected to maintain independence and safety, while promoting exploration of the natural world.
Once a child has shown developmental readiness, usually between the ages of 2.5 and 3, they are supported in a transition into our Primary Program.
Program Areas of Study
PRACTICAL LIFE work includes preliminary skill activities such as spooning, pouring, and folding. Children develop skills for care of the self through work undressing and dressing, toileting and hand washing. Children begin to contribute to their community through care for the environment. These exercises include watering plants, tending the garden, scrubbing a table, wood polishing, cloth washing, sweeping, flower arranging and table setting.
CONTROL OF MOVEMENT is developed through carrying exercises and the processes of bringing materials to one’s table and returning it safely to the shelf. Large motor movement is experienced in our beautiful outdoor spaces and our toddler specific playground.
HAND EYE COORDINATION work is presented to progress each child’s individual skills. These skills are acquired, refined and mastered, serving the child’s intelligence and further advancing development.
LANGUAGE is fostered through modeling of conversation and engaging the child to explore communication. Rhymes, poems, stories, songs and sound games help to enrich the toddlers language experiences independently and in a group setting. Children learn a wide range of classified vocabulary by sorting and organizing objects and pictures into various categories.
ART materials for coloring, painting, pasting, cutting and molding are presented. Art works of famous artists are featured in the classroom.
MUSIC of famous composers are enjoyed while a variety of instruments from around the world are explored.
Schedule
Parents choose between a half-day or full-day program with a schedule of 4 or 5 days per week.
Half-Day: 8:15am – 11:45am OR Full Day: 8:15am – 3:15pm
5-Day Program Monday-Friday
4-Day Program Monday-Thursday
Typical Toddler Classroom Routine
| 8:15 to 8:30 am | Arrival |
| 8:30 to 11:00 am | Work Cycle |
| 11:00 to 11:45 am | Recess |
| 11:45 am | Half Day Dismissal |
| 11:45 to 12:15 pm | Lunch and Nap Set-up |
| 12:15 to 1:00 pm | Community Lunch |
| 1:00 to 3:00 pm | Nap |
| 3:00 to 3:15 pm | Prepare for Home |
| 3:15 pm | Full Day Dismissal |