Young Toddler
Our Young Toddler program offers a beautiful home-like environment for children ages 12-months to 15-months to explore their world in a sensorial way. The program stimulates your child's intellectual, physical, and social development using the Montessori philosophy.
The Work of the Child
Many of us were raised to believe education is a process where a teacher (the expert) puts knowledge into the head of a student (the non-expert) and the student demonstrates learning by repeating back. Because of this, a lot of parents think what they need is “daycare,” but your young child has so much more to do than simply be fed and cared for during the day. At this age, they are cognitively, physically, emotionally changing rapidly, day by day, and we concentrate on laying the critical foundation for a child’s sense of order, exploration through movement, and their development of language.
Designed for Your Child
Our classrooms are designed entirely around the developmental needs of your child. Child-sized shelves display beautiful materials made from natural products designed to stimulate concentration, problem-solving, and the tactile work of hand-eye mental patterning. Teachers speak in gentle tones and the decor is understated and homelike. We know a child’s sense of order and consistency are foundational to their ability to develop trust, which in turn is the cornerstone to emotional health as an adult. Movement, independence, language, and motor skills are all part of the daily experience in an environment grounded in kindness, order, trust, and respect.
Peace of Mind
We offer flexible schedules fit your needs with full-day, half-day, and extended day. Our promise to you is that your child will be nurtured in a beautiful, safe, and clean environment. From rigorous background checks for teachers, to CPR/First Aid Training for all staff, to a comprehensive school emergency plan, we are committed to making your child’s well-being our highest priority. We are fully licensed by DCFS (Department of Child & Family Services).
We also know communication is key. Our “whole child” approach includes the family and we honor parents as their children’s first and most important teachers. Sleep schedules, eating, celebrating milestones: we keep in close communication with you as partners in your child’s development.
Exceptional Teachers
At the heart of our program are our extraordinary teachers, AMI & AMS Montessori-certified and trained in child development from birth to age three. More than just a job – our Montessori teachers have chosen this career because of their love for infants, their interest in Montessori education, and their unwavering commitment to do what is best for children.
Our teachers recognize the uniqueness of each child and we work with them, offering unconditional love and acceptance, as they explore and move through developmental milestones in their own way.
First Friends
As the children get older, we see them developing friendships that last, in many cases, for years as they continue to grow up together through our Montessori program. For those who are able to attend as young toddlers, moving up to the next level is natural and effortless, with opportunities to meet the teachers and visit the classroom planned in advance to facilitate the transition.
Moving Up
At 18 months, your child is ready for greater challenges. Our school provides a continuum of Montessori education and your child will have a seamless transition to the Toddler classroom. Planned well in advance, this process is designed to make both you and your child comfortable. A meeting with the new teacher and brief classroom visits in advance of the move facilitate the transition.
“Watching a child makes it obvious that the development of his mind comes through his movements.”
- Dr. Maria Montessori
Programs
Parents
School Office hours
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Service Area
Proudly serving Algonquin, Barrington, Carpentersville, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Harvard, Huntley, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Lakewood, Marengo, McCullom Lake, McHenry, Prairie Grove, Sleepy Hollow, West Dundee, Woodstock, Wonder Lake
Accreditation
We are fully accredited by the American Montessori Society and DCFS-certified for Birth-3 and Illinois State Certified up to 8th Grade.
