Infant
6 weeks – 18 months
It begins here. Your infant’s mind is sensitive and is developing rapidly. He is eager to makes new discoveries each day! This once-in-a-lifetime process is supported with unconditional love in our Montessori infant program.
Adults: 1 Children: 4
Infants can never have too much love, care and affection. To ensure your child receives personalized attention, our infant program provides one adult for every four children.
First Everythings
Crawling. First words. Walking. What was impossible yesterday seems easy today. We celebrate these milestones and keep in close communication with you to ensure we are always doing what is best for your child’s development.
Well Trained Professionals
Our infant classroom is led by experienced teachers. They have been trained in the principles of Montessori and in child development from birth to age three. Our teachers are prepared to create an optimal program for your child. More than just a job – our Montessori teachers chose this career because of their love for infants, their interest in Montessori education and their unwavering commitment to do what is best for children.
Peace of Mind
No need to worry – your infant will be nurtured in a beautiful, safe and clean environment. From rigorous background checks for teachers, to CPR/First Aid Training for all staff, to a comprehensive school emergency plan, rest assured that we have thought of every detail to protect your child’s well-being.
Bonds of Friendship and Love
Imagine a familiar face greeting you each morning – calm, loving and ready to assist your child with the transition from home to school. Picture a group of children excited to see your child when she arrives, to deepen growing friendships. These daily experiences build a strong bond between children, parents and teachers – a true community dedicated to your child’s development.
Exposure to a second language
Decatur Montessori School has native Spanish speakers that speak Spanish to children. This enables children to be exposed to a 2nd language. Learning a second language gives children an added advantage as they grow and compete in an increasingly challenging world.
An Environment Optimized for Your Infant
Our classrooms are designed entirely around the needs of your child. A low rail anchored to the wall provides support as your child pulls himself up from the floor. A soft mat cushions falls. Custom floor beds allow your child to choose to sleep when tired. Infant sized shelves display beautiful materials designed to stimulate your child’s senses. Teachers speak in gentle tones and the decor is understated and homelike. Your child will feel right at home in an environment created just for him or her.
Your Child Develops Trust Through Consistency
Your infant is sensitive to change and routine, and we make every effort to ensure consistency to help your child feel safe and comfortable. Our program is offered on a five-day schedule only, so she will be with the same children and adults every day. Sleep and eating schedules are based on your child’s individual needs, which are carefully observed and documented.
One Part of a Larger Educational Community
At 16-18 months, your child is ready for greater challenges. Our school provides a continuum of Montessori education and your child will have a seamless transition to our
Toddler Program. Planned well in advance, this process is designed to make both you and your child comfortable. A meeting with the new teacher and brief classroom visits facilitate the transition.
Our Nido Program
Nido means “Nest” in Italian. We offer
- tender love and care,
- exploratory freedom,
- a safe, trusting environment
- emotional warmth and security
- developmentally appropriate learning opportunities
From six weeks of age, the carefully prepared Montessori environment presents a home-like setting in which the children are assisted in their developmental process by stimulation of the five senses, encouraging gross and fine motor control, and introducing self-help skills at an individual pace.
Our Nido program fosters independence by not having any device that controls or confines a child. Classrooms are set up to allow freedom of movement and in doing so, children will develop stronger bodies and more coordinated movements.
Our Nido program is a peaceful prepared environment with prepared adults who respect the development of each child. Our babies eat from real plates and silverware and transition from the bottle to a small glass. Trusting the child and allowing him to be independent are important in our Nido program.
Our staff speaks in clear and complete sentences to encourage the development of language. Respect and love are two factors that are always present in our Nido environment.
At this stage of development, children respond positively to routine and rituals. DMS strives to provide children with consistent daily schedules and routines based on their individual needs.
“We enrolled Sadie in Decatur Montessori. 2 years in, we have no doubts (a rare thing to be able to say about one’s parenting!). Since she started at Decatur Montessori, Sadie has been loved, supported and encouraged by her wonderful community here. She goes to school with confidence and joy, and comes home with questions and light. In a period of many changes and stresses (and as it turns out, they all are), Sadie has a constant source of stability, comfort and love, and for that we are so incredibly grateful. Love and thanks.”
- Rachel Bowser