FAQs and Important Documents
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:
Children are warmly welcomed as they arrive and are supported in putting away their belongings and preparing for the day. Children then join us in the playroom, where they have time to greet their friends, connect with teachers, and develop important social-emotional skills through play and conversation.
Before beginning our Montessori work cycle, we come together for a group meeting that includes the calendar, songs, and a group lesson. Children then transition into our Montessori work cycle, where they are able to choose from available works and work at their own pace. Our morning work cycle remains open until 11:00 a.m., allowing children time to build concentration, independence, and confidence.
Children are provided with school slippers and change into them as part of preparing for their classroom day. After the morning work cycle, children enjoy outdoor recess followed by lunch.
After lunch, children who are not participating in our Pre-K Kindergarten Readiness Program have a rest period. Our older children participating in the Kindergarten Readiness Program continue with additional age-appropriate learning experiences that build upon their Montessori foundation and support their preparation for Kindergarten.
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:
We operate at a ratio of 1:10 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, 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.
Preschool:
We provide an open, self-serve morning snack that includes fresh fruit, a protein, and a healthy side item. In the afternoon, children are offered an open, self-serve healthy snack that may include vegetables, fruit, grains, or other nutritious foods. Parents provide lunch, and we provide milk or a milk alternative with lunch. We are happy to work with families to accommodate children with food allergies or dietary needs.
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.
Preschool:
We use the Brightwheel app for communication with families. Parents receive updates about school events, important information, and their child's day through Brightwheel. Teachers may also share photos and updates about children's experiences and accomplishments throughout the day. This helps keep families informed and supports open communication between home and school.
What is the enrollment process, and is there a waitlist?
Due to the high demand for our Montessori program, we occasionally have a waitlist for certain programs depending on the current enrollment. . 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. Once the tour is complete, we will share necessary paperwork for enrollment or be able to discuss a later enrollment date based on availability. 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 also host several family friendly events in our classrooms around holidays. Some special events include "Muffins with Mom" for Mother's Day, "Donuts with Dad" for Father's Day, and a "Grandparents Breakfast" to celebrate Grandparents Day.
Preschool:
We value the diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences that each family brings to our school community. Throughout the year, children have opportunities to learn about different cultures, traditions, celebrations, music, foods, and ways of life. Families are welcome to share special cultural traditions, experiences, or celebrations with the classroom when appropriate. We believe these opportunities help children develop an appreciation and respect for the many different cultures and families that make up our community.
How does the school conduct Parent Teacher Conferences
Infant/Toddler:
We value open communication between parent and teacher. Children of this young age are always growing and developing new skills, so daily communication regarding milestones and observations is the main way parents are kept up to date on their child's development. Formal parent-teacher conferences are held at the parents request.
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Preschool:
We hold two parent-teacher conferences each school year to connect with families and discuss each child's growth, development, and progress. Conferences provide an opportunity for teachers and parents to share observations, ask questions, and work together to support each child's individual needs and goals. We value open communication with families throughout the year and encourage parents to reach out whenever they have questions or concerns.
How does the curriculum adapt to meet the individual needs of each child? How does the school support the transition into Kindergarten?
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
As children move through their preschool years, we support them in building the skills and confidence they need for their next step in school. Our Kindergarten Readiness program follows Colorado standards while continuing to provide a strong Montessori foundation. As children grow, we deepen their Montessori experiences and give them opportunities to explore concepts more independently and in greater depth. Our goal is to help each child develop independence, confidence, problem-solving skills, and the academic and social-emotional skills needed for a successful transition to Kindergarten.
Do you accept CCAP, UPK or Military Assistance?
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. We are proud to announce our current partnership with Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), a military fee assistance program, and are happy to help military families through the process of applying for benefits. 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.