About us
Montessori education starting from 12 months old.
The Montessori Method and Philosophy
The education of even a very small child…does not aim at preparing him for school but for life– Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori developed an educational method in the early 1900’s, called the Montessori Method. Her goal was to guide children to reach their full potential through her approach, educational materials, (that she developed) and a “prepared environment”. This “prepared environment” gave children the opportunity to have individually based learning and fostered independence. The Montessori approach promotes empathy, self confidence, and a joy of lifelong learning.
The Montessori Method quickly developed all over the world, and the approach is used in over 110 countries worldwide. The success of the method is largely due to the materials used within the “prepared environment”, which includes trained teachers to guide and present the program to the children within a multi-aged classroom, which is a very important part of the Montessori setting.
The Montessori method is a holistic approach for the development of the child. Children within the prepared environment play with a purpose to learn! It recognizes the social nature of learning and understanding that the child absorbs an idea through active sensory experiences. It promotes communication through visual observation and language which plays a very important role in gaining knowledge.
Through the child’s experiences at Durham Montessori School and Daycare, teachers observe, assess, and evaluate the child’s progress. In doing so, the teacher makes appropriate learning decisions to guide the child and move forward in their holistic development. Our program believes that open communication between the teachers and parents play an integral role in the child’s developmental process. When teachers and parents communicate and collaborate their knowledge and experiences of their child, they create a climate of respect, accomplishment and happiness for the child and will set the most seamless environment for a healthy child.
Dr. Maria Montessori believed in the immense capabilities of each child. Her brilliant method that she modeled throughout her life, and with the materials she used in her classrooms, embedded the freedom and support children needed to question and make connections towards understanding topics and concepts. Children in the prepared environment became confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners. They think critically, work collaboratively, and acquire a skill set that allows them to thrive in the 21 centuries!
Our Staff
Our highly professional teaching staff are (MACTE) Certified Montessori Teachers and RECE Registered Early Childhood Educators. Together, our Montessori Teachers and RECE’s are recognized Early Childhood Educators by the Ministry of Education. Our staff are all First-Aid and C.P.R Certified. They participate in professional development throughout the year to always bring new ideas and teaching approaches to the classroom to suit each individual child. Our very nurturing and supportive educators continually strive to provide a welcoming, calm and happy environment for the children to learn and explore their prepared environment to reach their full potential.
Parent and Staff communication is a vital part of our program and we always strive to maintain that at Durham Montessori School and Daycare. Should you have any questions, please bring them to the attention of the Administrator, Supervisor or your child’s Teacher and we will be sure to address them immediately
