What is Puddletown School?
Puddletown School is a Montessori preschool and kindergarten for children ages 3 to 6 dedicated to providing a loving, nurturing environment to aid in the self-development of the whole child. Half and ful day schedules are avaialable.

What are the advantages of mixed age classes?
Diversity enhances the classroom experience and age is only one aspect of this. It brings with it a wide range of benefits. Added to this, children have much to gain from their peers and age shouldn't necessarily determine this group. Cooperation and tutoring among peers increases achievement and self-esteem in both older and younger children. Students are able to reinforce their skills and knowledge as they learn from each other, building confidence and responsibility. Through established routines in the classroom allow children to develop skills at any age, younger children are given the stability of seeing where they've been. There is an added advantage that students and teachers can enjoy the experience of being together for more than one year.

How do teachers deal with discipline?
Conflicts arise naturally out of interactions between different people. We begin and continue throughout the year teaching conflict resolution to give children ways of solving problems themselves. In this way, children are given tools for dealing with conflicts before they happen. This helps avoid discipline problems that come from not knowing how to work through arguments peacefully. We want to give children the skills to create a balance between freedom and responsibilities that teach them to respect themselves, others, the classroom, and the materials. With these skills, children begin the life-long process of learning to respect others' opinions and to search for solutions to conflicts.

What is the student/ teacher ratio?
The student/ teacher ratio is 10 to 1. Our walking field trips maintain a ration of 6 to 1. Class size is designed to be large enough to foster independence and n optimal teaching environment, but small enough to allow for appropriate guidance supervision.

Do students have too much freedom?
Children choose their own work within guidelines set by the teacher. The framework offers a great deal of freedom, but each freedom has a corresponding responsibility.

Does Puddletown provide lunch?
A healthy lunch should be sent with the child daily. We encourage parents to involve the child in the process of shopping, preparing, and packing a healthy meal void of sugary food. All containers should be able to be opened and closed by the child. There is also a snack available throughout the morning. Snack should be packed with lunch. It is a good idea to check in with your child about lunch and ask if they are getting too much or not enough food.

What does "Montessori" mean?
The Montessori method is named for Dr. Maria Montessori, who devoted her life to the observation and study of children. She believed the needs, talents, gifts, and special individuality of each child were important as a guide. Children learn in their own way at their own pace. Montessori is a hands-on approach to learning that encompasses the use of the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, and small and large motor skill coordination. With this concrete knowledge, children find their own way to an an understanding of concepts. The Montessori environment is designed to stimulate the child's own interests and allow freedom to explore individual interests. It is the role of the teacher to prepare and continue to adapt the environment; to link the child to it through well thought out lessons, and to facilitate the child's exploration and creativity. Children ages 3-6 posses an unusual sensitivity and intellectual ability to absorb and learn from their environment. This is combined with a deep love and need for purposeful work. The Montessori method emphasizes self-reliance and independence, in the classroom and at home, by teaching a child the skills to do as much for themselves as they are capable of.

Why should I send my child to preschool?
Most educators and psychologists today agree that the single most important period in the development of a person's intelligence occurs between birth and age five. A child's mind is extremely absorbent and their curiosity is at a peak during these early years. When properly nourished and stimulated, the child's mind forms patterns for learning that serve them well throughout life.

What does the classroom look like?
The classroom is a child-size world. Whatever is in the world outside can be incorporated meaningfully in the classroom. To a child, the world can be overwhelming. By careful selection of materials, the classroom is set up to allow the child a place to explore life on a level they can understand with materials that are built to be used by children. The materials or exercises are designed to stimulate independent explorations. The environment entices the child to proceed at their own pace from simple activities to more complex ones. Through this process, the child's natural curiosity is satisfied and they begin to experience the joy in discovering the world around them.

What is a typical day in the classroom?
Children come into the school, wash their hands, greet the teachers, hang up their coats, and begin their days. They move about the classroom from activity to activity, unrolling a small rug for work on the floor or sitting at a table. They may be talking or working with a friend, choosing to work alone, or sitting back to observe if they wish. During the course of the day each child chooses materials of interest, receives lessons from the teacher on a new material, shares snack with a friend, etc. Throughout the morning the children may gather to hear a story read aloud, share news, sing songs, recite poems, or work on group projects. Part of each day is spent outside, in the garden, or on the playground. At the end of the morning the children help set up lunch which we all eat together.

What is the role of the teacher?
The teachers encourage, redirect, and supervise as the child learns through their own personal motivation. They plan the environment in the interests of the children, and help children progress from one activity to the next. The teachers track the development of each child in an effort to be aware of what lessons would best suit that child.

Why do you recommend a five-day experience?
A child who attends school for five consecutive days each week will have a greater opportunity for smooth, spontaneous learning. A child taken in and out of school frequently does not have the same opportunity and consistency to pursue their unfolding interests.

What about socialization and group work?
In the classroom you'll notice children interacting continuously, choosing to work on projects together, and older children helping younger ones. Each day there is group activities and outside play.