Programs Infancy through Kindergarten

Infant Community/Nido -Vernon Campus

• Ages – 3 months to sturdy walkers

• Class size – 12 students.

• Ratio – 4 students: 1 adult

• Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:00, limited Early Care

At this beginning stage of their lives, it is important to create a safe and secure environment for the infants. We prepare this environment similar to the home - with defined areas for rest, feeding, toileting & play. Through observation, we are able to guide the infants toward periods of concentration by providing them with choices in a stimulating environment, at just the right moment. We model respect for the infants and their bodies by talking them through transitions like toileting, dressing, and undressing. 

We prepare the infants for independence by creating an environment that is open and accessible to them. As they become able to stand, we use standing diaper changes with a mirror and bar so the child can see what is happening to them, and we use elimination communication on the toilet when the child begins sitting up.  We transition children 12 months + to mats to prepare them for the toddler environment. This allows the supervising adults to have closer proximity to the child in order to coach them through self-soothing. We use sign language as well as verbal language for communication in all aspects of their daily routine. in our Nido program a high emphasis is put on a truly immersive French experience with all adults speaking French throughout the day. When children are over fourteen months or older, walking well, and taking one big nap in the afternoon they will be ready to transition into our Toddler Community.

Toddler Community/La Petite Maison Hollywood

Ages – walking to 36 months

• Class size – 12 students

• Ratio – 4 students: 1 adult

• Monday through Friday, 8:15 to 4:00

At this time of their lives, the children practice becoming more physically independent in their self-care skills (especially dressing, feeding themselves, and toileting). Through daily living activities that are reality-based, they develop order, coordination, independence, and concentration. Language development is ongoing and encouraged during purposeful activities such as setting the table, preparing snacks, and washing dishes - these tasks benefit the individual child while fostering a sense of belonging in the Toddler Community. We continue to prioritize an immersive experience of the French language and ensure that half of the staff speak French with the children throughout the day. The prepared environment is beautiful and organized; adults guide the children respectfully and lovingly with positivity and consistency.  Our Lead Guides and assistants are AMI-certified and have trained at Montessori Northwest here in Portland to foster an authentic Montessori experience for the children in our care.

Primary/La Maison des Enfants Morris Campus

• Ages – 3 to 6 years

• Class Size – 20 students. There are 3 classrooms

• Ratio – 10 students: 1 adult

• Monday through Friday/3 year cycle through the Kindergarten year, 8:00-3:15, before and aftercare available

Primary children continue to develop functional independence in daily living tasks. The three-year cycle in this classroom allows each child to experience an environment where materials are familiar but presented in new ways as students develop and master beginning lessons. Children transition from watching and imitating older students to feeling the pride that comes from being an experienced leader and mentor to younger classmates. Lessons are offered in Practical Life activities, Sensorial Exploration, Language, Mathematics, Sciences, Music, and Creative Expression. These lessons are reinforced by the childrens’ innate desire for mastery through repetition and practice. The freedom to choose these activities is the key to each individual’s personal expression and development. At the Primary level the French Language experience is provided by French speaking assistants and support staff with children’s compreshension and use of French increasing over their three year tenure. Grace and Courtesy lessons contribute to social development and independence by providing a sense of responsibility to the classroom community. Freedom with responsibility is the foundation of a high-fidelity Montessori environment. Our Lead Guides and assistants are AMI-certified and have trained at Montessori Northwest here in Portland to foster an authentic Montessori experience for the children in our care.