At Smart Cookies Montessori, we value diversity, inclusion and kindness.  We welcome children and families from all backgrounds and believe every child should feel respected safe and valued. In our Montessori environment, children learn to appreciate differences, show kindness to others, and develop a sense of belonging within our small and caring community.

What is Montessori Education?

Montessori is a method of education for children that focuses on independence, confidence, and a love of learning. It was developed by the Italian doctor and educator Maria Montessori in the early 1900s.The Key Idea Instead of the teacher directing everything, the child is encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace in a carefully prepared environment.

Main Features of Montessori

Children choose activities that interest them from materials set out in the classroom. This helps build concentration and independence.

• Specially Designed Materials

Montessori classrooms use hands-on learning materials (for example counting beads, puzzle maps, and practical life tools) that help children understand concepts through doing.

• Mixed Age Groups

Classes often include children of different ages (e.g., 2.5-5 years). Younger children learn by observing older ones, and older children develop leadership and confidence.

• Independence and Life Skills

Children learn everyday skills such as pouring, dressing, cleaning, and preparing food. These are called Practical Life activities.

• Respect for the Child

Teachers guide and observe rather than constantly instruct, respecting each child’s pace of development.

• The Goal of Montessori

The aim is to help children become:

– Confident
– Independent
– Curious
– Respectful of others and their environment

Settling into Montessori

At Smart Cookies Montessori, we understand that starting preschool is a big step for both children and parents. To help make this transition as smooth and positive as possible, we encourage parents or guardians to bring their child to the Montessori for one hour, twice a week, as an introduction to the preschool environment.

From our experience, this gentle introduction helps children to:

• Become familiar with the classroom and materials

• Get to know their teachers

• Build confidence in the new environment

We have found that children who attend these short introductory visits settle much more easily when the school year begins in September.

These visits also give parents the opportunity to see the Montessori classroom in action and to build a relationship with our teachers.