Maria Montessori found that children develop in 3 year periods.� A child that begins a 3-6 environment at age three and continues through age 6 has completed this period of development and is ready to transition with ease.

Whenever your child is not feeling well it is ideal if they can be cared for in the home; not only is home care best for the comfort of your child, it assists in preventing the spread of illness to staff and students.

Children will be sent home if they have a fever of 100 degrees.  They must then remain at home until fever free for a minimum of 24 hours without the assistance of fever reducing medication.  Occasionally, children are also sent home if they have uncontrollable diahrea and/or runny nose.  Children who have a contagious disease must provide a doctors release to return to the school environment (chicken pox, measles, etc.)

We have one classroom for up to 14 two year old chidren.

We have one classroom for up to 40 three to six year old children.

Children are formally enrolled when an application and application fee has been completed and accepted by the school.  Formal acceptance is notified through a written/signed contract.

Starting dates for enrollment are the beginning of September, for the regular school year, and the beginning of June, for the summer session.

Children can be enrolled mid-year if an application and application fee have been accepted, the child has been placed on a wait list, and an opening exists.

Not for the two year old classroom.� We support parents in toilet training.  Please talk to your teacher for further assistance.�

For the Primary (3 to 6 yr) class, YES,  your child must be toilet trained.

Yes.  Hawaii State Law requires all students to meet examination and immunization requirements before they may attend any public or private school in the state.�

Montessori education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician.� She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes.� Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could feely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.� Now, over a century after Maria Montessori's first casa dei bambinin ("children's house") in Rome, Montessori eduction is found all over the world, spanning ages birth to adolescence.

At the Michael Olaf Montessori "text" site, which is actually an E-book of Montessori philosophy and practice:  www.michaelolaf.net

Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading.� Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possiblities.� Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-disciple, and a love of learning.� Montessori classes place children in three year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, etc.), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones.� Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.

Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development at home.  Look at your home through your child's eyes.  Children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everday life.  "Help me to do it by myself" is the life theme of the preschooler.  Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for clothes, shoes, and toys?  Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child's self-esteem.

At the school level many homeschooling and other parents use the Montessori philosophy of following the chid's interset and not interupting concentration to educate their children.

In school only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education, using the specialized learning equipment of the Montessori "prepared environment."  Here social development domes from being in a positive and unique environment with other children--an integral part of Montessori education.

Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace.� A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another an everyone contributes.� Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or "behind" in relation to peers.

There are more Montessori programs for ages 3-6 than any other age group, but Montessori is not limited to early childhood.  Many infant/toddler programs (ages 2 months to 3 years) exist, as well as elementary (ages 6-12), adolescent (ages 12-15) and even a few Montessori high schools.

As with the choice of a Montessori school for children, an adult must also excercise wisdom in choosing a teacher training course.  Anyone can legally use the name "Montessori" in describing their teacher training organization.  One must be sure the certification earned is recognized by the school where one desires to teach.

The two major organizations offering Montessori training in the United States are the Association Montessori International (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS).  Most training centers require a bachelors degree for admission.  Training ranges from 200-600 pre-service contact hours and covers principles of child development and Montessori philosophy as well as specific uses of the Montessori classroom materials.  Montessori training centers can be found across North America and around the world.

Unfortunately, there is no way to limit the use of the name "Montessori."� Parents must carefully research, and observe a classroom in operation, in order to choose a real Montessori school for their child.�

There are several Montessori organizations to which schools can belong.� The two major ones operating in the United States are the Association Montessori Interantionale (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS).� Parents considering placing a child in a Montessori school should ask about the school's affiliation(s).