A: Our full-time program is five days per week, Monday through Friday. We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A: We do not require parent participation, mandatory volunteering or fundraising, but we have an active parents group. Please visit the BCPO tab to learn more.

A: BCMS has virtually no turnover. Our late and beloved Miss Pearl, who retired in 2008 after 35 years of teaching, worked at BCMS since the school’s inception, and Head Teacher Miss Evelyn has been at BCMS for over two decades. Our Owner / Director has touched every role within the school. This understanding helps her keep the tenure of her staff, which directly relates to the emotional security of each child in our care.

A: BCMS has 3 mixed age classrooms; ages 2½ to 6. There are no more than 25 children per class, with 4 teachers. This provides a very low 1:6 ratio.

A: We have AMI certified Montessori Preschool teachers. The Montessori Program has a philosophy, a curriculum and specially designed Montessori materials. This distinguishes Montessori from traditional preschools.

A: Big City provides nutritious hot lunches and two healthy snacks daily, all freshly prepared by our in house cook in our very own kitchen certified by the health department. Big City also provides organic 1% milk and water to accompany meals.

We offer a vegetarian option, and will accommodate special dietary needs.

A: The Montessori classroom is carefully prepared with a variety of materials and activities to satisfy the youngest two-year-old to the most advanced six-year-old.

After the group lesson, children are invited for independent work time, when the child is free to move about the classroom at will, to work with any material that interests them. The child may ask a teacher to introduce a new material or a teacher may invite a student for a lesson. A child is not free to disturb other children or to misuse the materials.

A: There are few causes for discipline in a Montessori classroom. However, if discipline is necessary, at BCMS, we have two approaches:

• First, most problems occur because the child has not found work which is sufficiently interesting to hold their attention. In this case, the child would be redirected to a new activity. Occasionally, new activities are designed to specifically meet a particular child’s needs.
  

• Second, a child may be asked to be removed from the group to a space, within the class, designated as the “quiet spot” to take a few minutes to “quiet his / her body.” We show the children how to calm themselves down and regain control during circle time at the beginning of each year and individual children may have repeated lessons. The child may return when he or she feels “quieted.”

A: Socializing and learning to share come very naturally in a Montessori classroom. A child here does not have to share his or her work. No one is allowed to touch another’s work unless invited to do so. As you look around the room you will see many children working together.

Many times children become so excited about what they are able to do that they want to give a lesson or demonstration to someone else. Throughout the day there are opportunities for this natural, spontaneous socializing.

The children are also comfortable with children of all ages and do not feel that they must stay with children of their own age. It is very appropriate for a child to spend time alone. This does not mean they are lonely. In Montessori terms this is called “nesting.” When the child is ready he will leave the “nest” and join the other children.

A: Montessori children are exceptionally adaptable. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they have been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, these children are problem-solvers who can make choices and manage their time well.

They have also been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others. These communication skills ease the way in new settings.

Research has shown that the best predictor of future success is a sense of self-esteem. Montessori programs, based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, help children develop good self-images and the confidence to face challenges and change with optimism.

A: There is no legal way to prevent any unethical person from labeling any early childhood program “Montessori.” Beware of schools that call themselves “alternative Montessori” or “progressive Montessori.” Chances are they are not Montessori at all – they may use the material, but do not have certified Montessori teachers. Any Director should be able to answer and understand the Montessori Method, and their staff should have certified AMI/AMS teachers. And last, but not least, in order to know the difference, parents should be informed about the Montessori Method.