FAQs

Operating Schedule

The school is open during Mondays to Fridays (8:30 o'clock in the morning to 5:30 o'clock in the afternoon). During school hours the office staff will only received messages for teachers or students. The teachers will not be called to the phone, as it is disruptive to classes. Parents are requested to call the teacher between 7:30 to 8:00 AM, 11:30 to 12:00 noon and 4:30 to 5:00 PM.

Why Montessori-based?

“Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) 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 freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first casa dei bambini ("children's house") in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world.

At the underage six level, 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 possibilities. They are not required to sit and listen to a teacher talk to them as a group, but are engaged in individual or group activities of their own, with materials that have been introduced to them 1:1 by the teacher who knows what each child is ready to do. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.

Montessori classes place children in three-year-or-more age groups (3-6, 2.5-6, 6-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.

Research studies show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardized tests, Montessori children

are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations.”

Source: Michael Olaf Montessori Company, WWW.MICHAELOLAF.NET

The Montessori Playschool

A pre-kindergarten Montessori-based curriculum for 1.6 to 4 years old children
Ages children 1.6 to 4 years old
Two-hours, AM or PM Schedules

Parents are responsible to pack and send their children’s food to school. Water, juices and nutritious food are strictly advised.
Every Friday, the school implements “FRUITY FRIDAY” where in parents are strongly encouraged to send any kind of fruit along with their child’s snack. This is a valuable introduction of fruits and tastes to the children for Sensorial Development.
Parents will also be arranged in groups for the “Special Feeding Activity” every first Monday of the month. Wherein they will contribute and send snacks for the children. The child’s teacher will inform parents for details.
Your child’s water bottle should be clearly labeled in order to avoid mix-ups in class.

Parents are requested to inform the school if a student has any food allergies or medical problem, which is diet-related.

All nuts and peanut butter are not allowed to be brought or served as snack or lunch.

The children are highly advised to bring the things listed on the checklist and will be kept in their cubby holes.
Expensive jewelries and personal belongings are strictly prohibited.

BIRTHDAYS
We acknowledge birthdays as part of our calendar time and honor children by celebrating their birthdays in a Montessori Way as well as by singing the “Birthday Song”.

Goody Bags prepared by the parents will be given to the children at the end of day. No birthday decorations will be put up in the classroom.
A birthday cake provided by the parents can be distributed to the children.
Mascots and clowns are strictly discouraged.
Parents shall inform the school when family members or relatives will attend the child’s party at school to conditions the children of new faces and guests.
School utensils will be used for the celebration.
The teachers will be glad to facilitate the passing out of invitations to the children for a party outside of the school.

SNACK AND LUNCH TIME

Hugs and Cradles encourages its children to be more independent during snack and lunch time. Teachers will encourage all children to learn how to eat by themselves and how to “tidy up” after they have finished with their snack and lunch.

REFUND POLICY

Parents informs the school a week before the child withdraw formt the school
50% of the paid fee shall be refunded

PARENT'S ORIENTATION

This orientation is mandatory for all new parents. Orientation meetings for new parents will be held in the second week of each new term. The orientation includes information on:

School Activities
School Hand Book
Child’s Communication Notebook
Student Profile Form
Philosophy & Teaching Method used in the classroom
Introduction of the school organization

The Child Minding Program

CHILD MINDING PROGRAM

-Working parents can leave their child care with the teachers and caregiver for the whole day or half day

-Children will be fed, given a bath, have naps, toilet trained, have developmental activities, etc.

CHILD MINDING OPERATIONS

The Child Minding is open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday from 7:30 am – 5.00 p.m. The center has a commitment to high quality care. The childcare provides a warm, supportive and caring family atmosphere, convenient location, caring staff to tend in feeding, washing, putting the children to sleep and comfortable bedrooms and nurturing activity areas.

What to wear and bring

In line with the Montessori Principles children are respected and allowed to wear comfortable but appropriate clothes to school from Tuesday to Friday.
Clothes with neutral color and free from form tv or cartoon characters images are advisable as this will affect the children’s disposition at school.
The school shirt is only required to be worn on Mondays, which can be purchased at the school office. School shirt can be paired with any comfortable bottom- (pants, shorts,/skirt) the child wishes to wear.
The schools will only advise the parents when there are events that the child needs to wear the school shirt other than Mondays.
Along with the school staff, the children are required to wear socks and indoor slippers inside the school building. “Shoe socks” which can be purchased in baby’s department stores are also highly recommended for its “anti-slip” bottom. Parents may ask the school’s admission officer for sample.

In the next few days, gradually encourage the child to keep his special object in his/her cubby. Children are free to visit their "loveys" whenever necessary to boost security.

We gradually help wean children from the need for transitional objects, which is the ultimate goal at school.

Other toys on the other hand, are not allowed to be brought from home to the center.

Do you allow free visits and consultations?

Yes, our school allow free visits and consultation for your child. We also encourage free trials in all the programs of our school.

Other concerns

NANNIES AND GUARDIANS

The school fosters independence in children and this cannot be achieved effectively in the presence of nannies and guardians.

Nannies and Guardians are highly advised to only drop off and pick up the child. Unless during the first week of class, that they can stay for 30 minutes to one hour for the child’s transition. They are advised to let the teachers to take over the child once the child enters the school. They may wait in the “Waiting Area” to pick up the child.

CHILD COLLECTION AND ORDERS

Sign your child in and out in the “Daily Daycare Report. A “temperature check” will be conducted by our staff members. It is the responsibility of the parents to notify the staff of who is going to collect the child and at approximately what time. No child will be released from the School to any person other than those nominated in the admission form or issued with guadiance IDs.

CHILD DROP OFF

When you drop your child to school, please sign in the attendance sheet. The teachers will be at the lobby everyday to meet and greet your child as well as to conduct a “temperature check” of your child.

SETTLING IN PROCEDURE

In order that your child settles in quickly in the class we would appreciate if you would follow the settling-in procedure:

For “New-comers”, one parent can enter the classroom and accompany your child during school hours for the first day. But if your child is fine it would be good idea to say “bye” and that you would be coming later to fetch him/her. In order to accomplish a smooth and faster transition please endorse your child to the teacher the next day of school. It is normal for children to cry for a week or two but eventually the child would know that Mum or Dad will be coming later to pick him/her up.