OUR PROGRAMS
We offer Calgary parents the unique opportunity to combine the benefits of a quality Montessori preschool and kindergarten program, for children aged 3 to 5 years, with extended care if required. Our Montessori certified teachers implement the Montessori Method, using a wide range of quality Montessori materials, set in a beautifully prepared classroom environments, full of purpose and motive. Our child-centric approach to child development and learning ensures our program is tailored to meet each individual child’s unique developmental needs and interests.
Our program calendar operates 12 months a year, except for statutory holidays and planned closures. During the summer months we explore our great planet with a nature-based Montessori program using our outdoor classroom and garden.
Our daily schedule includes two learning periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Through careful observations, our Montessori teachers humbly guide each child, based on their developmental stage and interests, through the different areas of learning, Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Studies.
Our afternoon learning period places great emphasis on reviewing and reinforcing each child’s learning and development through repetition and practice. During this period, we also incorporate additional extra-curricular activities, including physical literacy and a second language. Our kindergarten children typically engage in special educational projects, on language, math, geography, science, culture, music, and art, designed to extend and enhance their learning further.
Admission process
MELC admits children of any race, color, nationality, and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, and activities generally accorded or made available to children attending the program.
STEP 1: TOUR
STEP 1: TOUR
Please submit an inquiry using the ‘Contact Us’ form. Once we have a spot we can offer, we will arrange a tour for you and your child. The tour typically takes approximately 15 minutes and is an opportunity for you to see our facilities, learn more about our program and have your questions answered. It is very important to us that children accepted into our program are set up for success from the beginning, this meeting hence also allows us to assess whether our program is a good fit for your child.
STEP 2: ENROLLMENT
STEP 2: ENROLLMENT
If after the tour, you would like to enroll your child with us, we will send you our enrollment package for completion. We kindly ask that you return this package within five business days to secure your child’s spot, otherwise we will assume you are no longer interested and offer the space to the next family. If no spaces are available, you are welcome to add your name to our waitlist, at no additional cost. When a space becomes available, we will contact wait-listed families, on a first come first serve basis.
STEP 3: TRANSITION
STEP 3: TRANSITION
Prior to your child joining us, we will contact you to arrange their transition into our program. We typically transition children over two days, one hour each day. This is a great opportunity for parents to leave their child with us, for a short period, so they can meet their new teachers, friends and get familiar with our environment, before starting their regular schedule.
PROGRAM SCHEDULES
Children gain the most benefit from a quality program like ours when they start the three-year Casa learning cycle at the age of 3. The developmental outcomes for children aged 4 and 5 are significantly improved if they have previously attended a quality Montessori program before joining us. We offer two program schedules that are designed to ensure all children fully benefit from our Montessori Casa programming, and offer parents the option of before & after care, if required.