FAQ
Q: How do I enroll my child?
A: Please begin by phoning us to set up a visit. At the visit, you will meet with a director, get a tour of the classrooms, and ask any questions that you have. You are encouraged to bring your child.
After the initial visit, fill out the parent questionnaire. You may email us the questionnaire or print and complete the parent questionnaire off the website if you would like.
If we have an opening, you can start any time. If we do not have an opening, you will be placed on the waiting list and notified when a space will be coming available.
About a week or two before your child’s first day, you will come back and visit again for the enrollment. This takes about one hour to complete, or you can take the paperwork home and fill it out which makes the enrollment visit much shorter. At the enrollment visit you will meet your classroom teachers, have a tour of the parent area, learn about the sign-in process, and see your child’s cubby. This is another opportunity to ask questions and discuss your child’s specific needs.
We look forward to welcoming your family into ours!
{Welcoming a new friend to school}
Q: What is Montessori?
A: Montessori is a child-centered educational method based on the child development theories originated by Italian educator Maria Montessori (1870–1952) in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Montessori philosophy values self-directed learning, a child’s pride in their classroom, an open and inviting learning environment, and emphasises the role of the teacher as an observer. To learn more, visit our Montessori links.
{As a student cleans the table with a wet rag, she feels a sense of pride and ownership over her classroom environment}
Q: My child is ready for preschool, but with the current economy, we cannot afford it. What are our options?
A: We are aware of the financial burdens that have come to many families in Humboldt County. We have come up with some creative options to allow access to everyone, even in the face of financial challenges. We offer a volunteer option, a work or gift certificate exchange option, and also accept state subsidised vouchers.
The Volunteer option allows parents or family members to volunteer their time in the classroom at a rate of $8 per hour. This volunteer time will be applied to your child’s tuition. Opportunities include: daily classroom volunteer in either classroom, gardening or special weekly activity volunteer, or daily reading volunteer. We also have one opening for a daily morning kitchen volunteer.
The work or gift certificate exchange option is for families who have a different skill such as carpentry and plumbing, or a family member with a business which could provide gift certificates as payment instead of money. This is one of my favorite creative options because it allows us to keep local spending local. Some of the exchanges we have done so far include photography, web design, and Kayak adventure.
Please do not let money get in the way of your child’s quality education! Discuss alternative options during your enrollment visit.
{Parents, grandparents, or other family members can volunteer in the classroom to receive a reduced tuition option}