FAQs
What does a typical day look like for children in your school?
Infant/Toddler: Maria Montessori believed in allowing children the freedom to work at their own pace, exploring and moving about the classroom until they find something that interests them. Once they engage in an activity, they begin to concentrate, gradually finding fulfillment through their work. At the Infant Toddler House, we provide children with the freedom to have these experiences and interactions with their environment. There is a basic structure throughout the day, including times for meals, work cycles, outdoor play, diapering, and rest. Each classroom has a slightly different schedule; however, meeting the children's needs is paramount in determining how the day flows.
Preschool: Upon arrival, children put their belongings in their cubbies and are then free to choose from the works available on the shelves. After a brief circle time for calendar, flag salute, stories, and songs, we have a morning work period from 9-11, which includes a snack that the child prepares for themselves. This is followed by an hour of outdoor recess and then lunch. In the afternoon, our younger students have a two-hour rest period, while our older students have an additional work period with more extensive activities. The day concludes with an afternoon snack and additional recess time on the playground, weather permitting.
How do you ensure the safety and well-being of the children in your care?
Infant Toddler: Ratios are maintained throughout the day, with 1:4 in the infant classroom and 1:5 in the toddler classroom. This ensures that there are ample eyes on the children at all times, constantly checking and rechecking the environment. Teachers provide a well-maintained, prepared environment free of distractions or possible hazards. Hourly Name-to-Face counts are completed to account for all children, and active observation of children within the classroom are just a few of the safety measures used by our teachers. Teachers are required to keep up-to-date on state-mandated training as well as monthly safety drills. All staff are required to be CPR and First Aid certified, and FEMA and building safety training are also required. To ensure the safety and security of our students and staff, all doors remain locked during the hours when students and teachers are on site.
Preschool: Although our required ratio is 1:10, we operate at about 1:7 in our mixed-age classroom. Name-to-Face counts are performed whenever we change locations (indoor to outdoor and back). All staff are CPR and First Aid certified, FEMA trained, and have completed additional training as required by the state. As an additional safety measure, all doors are kept locked during the hours when students and teachers are present on site.
Can you provide information about your staff's qualifications and training in the Montessori Method?
All staff members have a Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0. This certification ensures that all staff members have a fundamental understanding of child growth and development, social-emotional development, and best practices when working with young children. Montessori certification and training are backed by the American Montessori Society (AMS), with each teacher working towards or currently holding an AMS certification for Infants and Toddlers or Primary. All teachers must complete an in-house Montessori workshop upon hire and participate in 15 hours of continuing education based on the Montessori Method.
What meals and snacks are provided, and how do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Infant/Toddler: We provide healthy breakfast and snack options for the children each day. Children are required to bring their own lunches that do not require refrigeration or reheating. Organic whole milk is provided with breakfast and lunch. Seasonal menus are provided to parents every 3 months, with any changes communicated daily. Children with dietary restrictions are encouraged to bring alternative items that can be substituted for what the school is providing that day. Alternative milk, fruits/vegetables, gluten-free, or nut-free foods can be stored at the school, provided the items are not in large quantities. We are not a nut-free zone.
Preschool: We provide a morning snack of fresh fruit and a grain product that the child prepares for themselves, and an afternoon snack with a veggie tray assortment and a grain product. Organic whole milk is provided with lunches that the parents provide. We are not a nut-free zone but are happy to substitute snacks for children with allergies.
How does the school communicate with parents about their child's progress and daily activities?
Infant/Toddler: At Golden Mountain, we employ the use of Brightwheel, an app that provides real-time updates to parents regarding their child's daily activities. Meals, diapers, naps, activities, photos, videos, and more can all be uploaded by staff for parents to receive notifications throughout the day about their child. Brightwheel offers the ability to communicate directly with the classroom as well as the director through a messaging feature. Teachers are also available via email or phone calls throughout the day, time permitting. Monthly newsletters are also sent to parents from the school's director.
Preschool: The director sends regular emails to parents to update them on events and happenings at the school. We frequently text parents with pictures of their children's accomplishments during the day. This allows for open communication and keeps parents informed about their child's progress and experiences at the preschool.
What is the enrollment process, and is there a waitlist?
Due to the high demand for our Montessori program, we typically maintain a waitlist that begins in January for the upcoming school year starting in September. However, we encourage interested families to reach out to us at any time throughout the year, as openings may become available. The first step in our enrollment process is to schedule a tour of our school, which allows prospective families to experience our nurturing environment firsthand. If the family decides to move forward, we will then arrange a child interview. During this visit, the child will be introduced to two works in the classroom and have the opportunity to join their potential classmates on the playground for the end of recess. This process helps ensure that our school is the right fit for both the child and the family. We understand that waiting for an opening can be challenging, but we assure you that the experience and education your child will receive at our school is well worth the wait.
Are there opportunities for parental involvement in the school community?
Infant/Toddler: We have several exciting plans in the works to foster a strong sense of community among our families. In the future, we aim to organize various Parent Nights, which will provide opportunities for families to connect and grow together. Additionally, we host an annual Family Picnic during the summer, allowing families to interact and get to know one another in a relaxed setting. We are also exploring the idea of hosting a "Friendsgiving" potluck in November and other themed days where parents can join their children at school. Some potential events include "Muffins with Mom" for Mother's Day, "Donuts with Dad" for Father's Day, and a "Grandparents Breakfast" to celebrate Grandparents Day. While these events are still in the planning stages, we are excited about the prospect of bringing our community closer together.
Preschool: To facilitate connections among our families, we share a parent directory containing the names and contact information of all participating parents, with their permission. In the past, we have hosted several after-school petting zoos at the school during the summer, giving our toddler friends an opportunity to visit and engage with the animals. Another cherished tradition is our annual Mother's Day Luncheon, which features musical performances by the children before lunch is served. We look forward to continuing these events and introducing new ones to create lasting memories for our families.
How does the school manage transitions from infant care to preschool and then to kindergarten?
Infant/Toddler: Toddlers in our program work towards becoming potty-trained, which is a requirement for entering our preschool. As they approach their 3rd birthday, they will have the opportunity to tour the preschool and participate in an interview process, similar to what a new family would experience. This helps ensure a smooth transition from the toddler program to the preschool environment.
Preschool: For our oldest children, we celebrate their achievements with a special "graduation ceremony" in May. However, many of these children choose to stay with us through the summer until the start of the new school year. We also find that some children return to spend the summer with us between their kindergarten and first-grade years. This allows them to maintain the strong bonds they have formed with their classmates and teachers while enjoying the familiar and nurturing environment our school provides.
How does the curriculum adapt to meet the individual needs of each child?
Our Montessori curriculum is tailored to meet each child's individual needs, interests, and pace. By observing children and adjusting the learning environment, we ensure that activities support their unique developmental stages. The classroom is equipped with diverse Montessori materials that cover various learning areas, allowing children to engage with tasks that match their curiosity and skill level. As children grow, the curriculum evolves to introduce more complex concepts, always respecting their readiness to learn. This personalized approach promotes autonomy, a love of learning, and critical thinking, aiming to develop confident, curious, and well-rounded individuals
Do you accept CCAP or UPK?
Currently, our school does not accept CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) or UPK (Universal Pre-Kindergarten) funding. We're actively exploring ways to support families in accessing quality education and encourage parents to reach out for discussions on available financial assistance options. Our goal is to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience our nurturing Montessori environment, and we're committed to assisting families in finding viable solutions.