Frequently Asked Questions
What ages can enroll at Little Garden?
Little Garden Montessori serves children ages 16.5 months -age 6. Preschool children should be attempting to independently use the bathroom before beginning at Little Garden. We offer preschool and kindergarten programming.
Otter room: Toddler room (16.5 mo-33 mo)
Gnome room: Children’s House/preschool (33 mo-6 years)
What are the hours of operation and calendar?
7:45 AM – 3:00 pm
Aftercare available until 5:00 p.m. for an additional fee.
$10/day or $150/mo.
See our Calendar page for our first and last days of school and holiday information.
If your child is sick or we have planned days off, tuition is still due.
What are the tuition rates?
The application and enrollment fees for new families is $200. It is non refundable.
The deposit and application fee hold your spot and also contribute towards classroom supplies, staff development, CPR and first aid training for staff, and outdoor equipment and Montessori materials.
Email leah@littlegardenmn.com for a current rate sheet.
What is the Montessori philosophy?
The Montessori method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. She practiced as a doctor in Rome, Italy and went on to develop the Montessori education method. she believed in a child’s abilities to be independent and built her method on following each child and their individual interests. The key areas of a Montessori classroom are practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language, and culture.
How much time do the children spend outdoors?
We will try to spend 2-3 hours outside each day. Some days we might spend the majority of the day outside. Always make sure your child has appropriate gear for the weather. Each child should have a rainsuit and rain boots.If you google “rainsuits”, a range can be found online with affordable prices. In cold weather, make sure your child has mittens, a hat, neck gater, snowsuit or snowpants/jacket, and boots.
What food do you serve?
A balanced morning and afternoon snack will be provided each day. Milk is provided with lunch.
Families pack a lunch for their child.
How do you handle behavior and redirect children??
We believe in relationships first and foremost. We want to ensure that each child feels loved and cared for at Little Garden. As a staff we follow the sacred art of listening model , zones of regulation, and restorative practices.
Restorative practices include ways of creating community that honors the importance of relationships amongst all members in the community; as well as practices to repair relationships when harm has been caused. RP address the needs all people impacted by the harm.
https://zonesofregulation.com/
What are the admission requirements?
Little Garden does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, marital status, national origin, age, color, religion, gender identity and expression, ancestry, status with regard to public assistance, sexual or affectional orientation, or familial status.
Do you offer tuition assistance?
We offer CCAP options for tuition assistance.
Daily schedule
7:45 – 8:15 : Arrival
A balanced snack is proved each morning and afternoon.
8:20 Montessori work cycle* + Outside time (nature exploration)
*Individual and whole group lessons with Montessori materials
11: 35 - Lunch
12:00-2:00- rest time, children who do not nap can do Montessori work or art projects and often go outside early.
1:30-3:00-outdoor exploration
3:00- 5:00-aftercare (outside)