"The child is truly a miraculous being, and this should be felt deeply by the educator."

- Dr. Maria Montessori

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Our Philosophy

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The Montessori Method is a child-centered educational approach founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori. She based her educational methods on the natural development of children and their intrinsic desire to explore, discover, and learn from the world around them.  At Small World Montessori, our primary goal is to help each child reach their fullest potential. Our classrooms are carefully designed environments where children of mixed ages can work together or independently with multi-sensory materials that invite them to touch, think and experience the joy of learning.

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The goal of our Montessori Certified and Trained teaching staff is to cultivate each child’s natural desire to learn, acquire and master skills. At Small World Montessori, we aim to instill the self-discipline and skills necessary to achieve higher education while enhancing each child’s imagination, and improving their quality of life.

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Montessori Education

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• As with any authentic Montessori school, we follow the Montessori Method and approach. The Montessori Method believes that “the teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child” (Montessori, 1949). The teacher’s role is to provide each child with the tools needed to educate themselves in a way that works for them. This also means that we encourage each child to work at their own pace. Therefore, a child who requires more challenge will not be held back, just as a child who requires more one-on-one time will not be pushed beyond their capabilities to keep up, thus not reaching their full potential.

 

• The Montessori Method teaches each child responsibility, while allowing them to grow in independence. Our students are introduced to a weekly job chart on which they are asked to participate in the maintaining of the classroom environment, for example by watering the plants, or feeding the fish.

 

• At Small World Montessori, we run low classroom ratios. The classroom assistants help the Lead teacher (directress) by allowing her to focus on the child’s needs and creating the best learning environment possible. Teaching assistants also allow for more individualized teaching. Which, in turn, allows for guidance tailored to the child, as opposed to the group.

 

• Each child is respected for their innate capabilities and personality. Their personality is developed to its fullest potential, including their sense of independence, initiative and helpfulness.

 

Teacher Certification

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• Having teachers who are Montessori trained and certified is the foundation of any good-quality Montessori education. The teacher’s role is not only to educate, but to be a role model, observer, record keeper and to demonstrate the lessons in such a way, that the child will understand and take the initiative to develop their own skills. A Montessori trained and certified teacher understands that each child is unique in their learning style and interests. The teacher is respectful of the child, their needs, and their personality. They are well versed in preparing the learning environment, in which students can explore, grow and experience throughout the educational process.

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Classroom layout

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• The layout of each classroom has been carefully planned and thought out according to the Montessori Method. Therefore, each object, be it a cabinet, table and chairs, or lessons, has purposefully and methodically been placed in the position that they hold to reap the full benefits of learning. This also ensures multi-sensory stimulation, as well as freedom of choice and independence.

 

• Our teachers are dedicated preparing their classroom prior to student arrival. This ensures that all students may benefit from the tailored lessons, while still exerting independence in choice with minimal assistance.

 

• Our classrooms are equipped with traditional Montessori teaching tools and materials.

 

• Classrooms are set up by Montessori Avenues and ordered according to the training manuals. This way students’ natural capabilities and learning styles are catered to, which in turn creates a well- balanced learning environment.

 

Multi-age classroom

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• A key ingredient to any true Montessori school is the multi-age classrooms. This means that each classroom has a variety of ages within its community.

 

• By mixing different age groups within one classroom community, we empower the natural learning behavior of our students. Younger children often copy the behavior of older students, which assists in creating an overall positive classroom community, because good behavior and positive manners are echoed throughout the classroom.

 

• Older students are given the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills by assisting the younger students in their learning and skill development. It has been said that a person only truly understands something, when they are able to explain it to others.

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Dedication to Nutrition

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• At Small World Montessori, we believe that well-balanced and nutritious meals are of the utmost importance for the development of young minds and bodies. Our complimentary organic meal plan adheres to this notion. Each student is offered a nutritious breakfast upon arrival prior to 8:15 am, all students arriving after that time are requested to have had their breakfast prior to arriving. Lunch and Snack are served daily, at their scheduled times. It is our policy to keep the sugar content as low as possible, therefore we request that all parents providing food items respect this policy and provide healthy items with little to no added sugar.

 

Sanitation Dedication

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• The administration and staff are dedicated to keeping this school clean and in pristine condition. This means that Montessori materials, shelves, tables, chairs, bed mats and classrooms are cleaned on a daily basis.

 

• All nutritional meals served at the School are prepared in accordance with the HACCP regulations, e.g. gloves are worn during preparation and serving, expiration dates are checked daily, utensils are used for specific items and not reused until they have been cleaned, and, after each meal the kitchen and its properties are thoroughly cleaned.

 

Safety and security

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• The safety and wellbeing of our students is a priority. No individual may gain access into the building directly, individuals must be let in through a “buzzed” in system and are met at the reception area by a member of our staff. The school’s front door operates on a magnetic locking system. The magnetic locking system can only be released from inside the building.

 

• If a student is to be picked-up by any person other than their parents, we require identification. If the name on the identification does not match the names provided and approved by the parents, the child will not be allowed to leave the school premises with this person.

 

• Once a Parent or Approved Person enters the school, our reception will call the classroom to request the child’s release. Parents and/or approved Persons are to wait in the Lobby area until their child has been brought to them by a member of staff. No person is permitted to enter the classrooms unless otherwise stated by a member of the Administration. This also prevents any type of distraction during classroom instruction.

 

• Once a month we host an unannounced fire-drill (as well as other evacuation or lock-down drills) to ensure everyone is aware of the safety protocols. Each classroom is equipped with an evacuation plan providing a primary and secondary escape route. Similarly, we are equipped with alarms and fire extinguishers that are up to governmental mandated code, as well as hurricane shutters.

 

• We are equipped with CCTV monitoring the classrooms, reception area, hallways, and playgrounds 24/7.

 

• All staff members have been properly screened through the Department of Children and Families, and are trained and qualified to work in the position they hold.

 

• Any medication, that is to be administered by a member of staff, must be prescribed by a doctor and labeled in accordance with our Medication Policy. Parents will be asked to fill out a Medication Form, on which the times and dates of administering are to be clearly stated, along with storage instructions. Medication that has expired, or is no longer required, will be returned to the Parents.

 

Parent involvement

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• At Small World Montessori, we understand that learning occurs everywhere, not merely at school. Therefore, we are greatly appreciative of all our Families and their continued support and involvement. It is through your love, care and support that we are able to assist in molding these wonderful children into the respectful and self-sufficient adults they will become.

 

• We encourage parents to volunteer for various activities, such as on- and off-site field trips or shows. We also encourage parents to join us for special events, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, our annual Holiday Show, and of course Graduation amongst many others. Both situations provide an opportunity to engage with our students and curriculum in various ways. Encouraging our students, your children, with support and love. It has been noted that Parental involvement assists greatly in a child’s enjoyment in learning, and increases their academic achievement.