Greenhouse Montessori Preschool & Toddler Center
Planting the seeds of a Montessori Education and Growing Lifelong Learners
505 S. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85296 480 635 0386 info@greenhousemontessorischool.com
Planting the seeds of a Montessori Education and Growing Lifelong Learners
505 S. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85296 480 635 0386 info@greenhousemontessorischool.com
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About Our School
Welcome to my passion.
You know you are doing what you are supposed to when you enjoy it, think about it often, can separate it from other parts of your life, and can't imagine doing anything else.
Greenhouse Montessori was create from a passion for providing an environment for children to learn and have fun. The "greenhouse" was originally a place for children to have themed birthday parties where they could play, interact, and learn, without even realizing that fun and learning could be the same thing. As a former elementary teacher, I incorporated learning, fun, and respect, in my classroom at every opportunity. When it came time for my child to go to school and into the care of others, it was with much trial and error that Montessori Education was found. The idea of giving young children the knowledge to be independent, self-disciplined, focused students who work at their own ability, no matter the age, was very intriguing. As the preschool was started, the Montessori philosophy parallelled my beliefs so much, I then decided to take training to become AMS certified.
Greenhouse Montessori is what I want for my own children, a place of love and learning that encourages discovery and individuality. The learning family that we have at our school is very special. Family involvement is an important part of Greenhouse Montessori and the relationships built among the children, teachers, and families are irreplaceable. This school is as much a part of me that I am of it. I appreciate the importance of the development of the brain from 0-6 years and know that the students in my school are being molded during the time with us.
The primary classroom was formed for 2 1/2 to 6 year olds, and the toddler center, for ages 18 months-2 year olds, was added after the birth of my youngest child who is now 2.
The facility and philosophy was in place, now to find others who shared my passion. Allow me to introduce...
You know you are doing what you are supposed to when you enjoy it, think about it often, can separate it from other parts of your life, and can't imagine doing anything else.
Greenhouse Montessori was create from a passion for providing an environment for children to learn and have fun. The "greenhouse" was originally a place for children to have themed birthday parties where they could play, interact, and learn, without even realizing that fun and learning could be the same thing. As a former elementary teacher, I incorporated learning, fun, and respect, in my classroom at every opportunity. When it came time for my child to go to school and into the care of others, it was with much trial and error that Montessori Education was found. The idea of giving young children the knowledge to be independent, self-disciplined, focused students who work at their own ability, no matter the age, was very intriguing. As the preschool was started, the Montessori philosophy parallelled my beliefs so much, I then decided to take training to become AMS certified.
Greenhouse Montessori is what I want for my own children, a place of love and learning that encourages discovery and individuality. The learning family that we have at our school is very special. Family involvement is an important part of Greenhouse Montessori and the relationships built among the children, teachers, and families are irreplaceable. This school is as much a part of me that I am of it. I appreciate the importance of the development of the brain from 0-6 years and know that the students in my school are being molded during the time with us.
The primary classroom was formed for 2 1/2 to 6 year olds, and the toddler center, for ages 18 months-2 year olds, was added after the birth of my youngest child who is now 2.
The facility and philosophy was in place, now to find others who shared my passion. Allow me to introduce...
MISS PATTI
Our co-teacher in the primary classroom is Miss Patti. Miss Patti has over 8 years Montessori experience and is AMS certified, and begins her second year at Greenhouse. BEsides being one of the most dedicated people I know, she is also one of the most genuine. Patti works very nicely with the children, and is true to the Montessori philosphy. She is from Columbia originally and teaches our Spanish classes. Her daughter attends Greenhouse Montessori as well. We are lucky to have her as a part of our staff, not only as a teacher, but also a friend.
MISS LAUREN
Our lead toddler teacher is Miss Lauren, and she has been a part of Greenhouse since when it was Jennifer's Party Pad. She is one of the most responsible young people that I have ever known. I trust her with my business, my children, and know that the students are in good hands when Miss Lauren is around. She ran summer camp this year, does aftercare, and is a support throughout the whole school. Lauren has taken her Montessori assistant training and is willing to learn new things everyday. She too is an asset to our school.
MISS CECILIA
Miss Cecilia will join us in the primary classroom as she has just finished her Montessori training. Cecilia has two young children of her own and left the world of chemical engineering to pursue her love for the Montessori Philosphy. Cecilia has great focus and is eager to bring her admiration for Montessori to our school. She is bi-lingual with Spanish as her first language. Between her and Miss Patti, I should learn a word or two of Spanish myself. I am excited to have her, and her children, as a part of our team and look forward to sharing our families and school with her.
MISS CASSI
Miss Cassi will join our staff as an assistant in the toddler room and also in the Outdoor Environment. When Miss Christina knew she would take the year off to have her new baby, she highly recommended Cassi to help at Greenhouse. We spoke on the phone and upon meeting her I knew she would be a perfect addition to Greenhouse Montessori. She has three children, one of which who has been a part of Montessori education since he was three and is entering second grade, and the other two will begin at Greenhouse with Cassi.
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Top 5 Reasons to choose Greenhouse Montessori
1. Child Centered Learning The learning environment focuses on the children, not the teacher. Each child is taught individually, at his level in a multi-age class.
2. Intimate, Quaint Environment Our school "house" is inviting for children, they are comfortable and not overwhelmed. Our commercial licensed facility meets all state requirements, and is located on a grassy acre lot with lots of room for outdoor learning. Our staff ratio is 1:8, with a maximum of 20-24 children in the class, depending on ages.
3. Great Family Involvement It is important for us as a school to have families involved not only with school, but with each other. Parents help daily if able, and we have family activities once a month that promotes interaction and comradery among enrolled family and friends.
4. Director Owned and Operated Our school was created by Jennifer who has a degree in elementary education, is AMS 3-6 certified, has finished all coursework toward Montessori 6-9 certification, is a mother of two, and has a direct interest in the well being and care of the children and families that are a part of the Greenhouse Montessori Learning Family.
5. Family Flexibility and Convenience With the addition of the toddler room to accommodate 1 and 2 year olds, children are able to begin our program early with a smoother transition into the preschool program. Siblings can be at the same location and before school and after hour care is available. We also offer summer camps for ages 1-7.
Our Programs
Toddler Center
Toddlers interact and explore in the young skills room where play is encouraged, development of fine motor skills are constant through the senses and learning materials, and the seeds of a Montessori education is planted. Designed for ages 1 and 2, here is where practical life, sensorial, and the foundation for math and language are established. In practical life, the three main areas of 1. Care of self, 2. Grace and Courtesy, and 3. Care of environment, are strong at any age in Montessori, and is the single most important area. A desire to communicate and be contributing members of society is human nature. For a child, especially as young as 1, the need to feel important and a participant in the family is strong now that he has been observing the activity around him and is ready to participate in real work.
The Prepared Environment
Rest and inactivity are foreign to the toddler's nature; something that every parent of a toddler knows first hand. The prepared toddler environment is a place where the very young child is able to act upon his natural energies and curiosity. We all know the toddler is in constant motion and objects just seem to leap up into his hands. The toddler is encouraged to touch and handle and explore everything in his surroundings. His attention span is limited, so the prepared environment provides a wide variety of materials.
The child is given freedom in the indoor and the outdoor environments to select activities that satisfy his needs. We encourage this within appropriate limits.
We also encourage independence. The toddler wants to do things by himself. Unfortunately, in today's hurry-up pace, there is not always time or patience to allow the small child to complete the job at hand all by himself. The toddler prepared environment and program are designed to be convenient for the child. The prepared toddler environment is his place, a place to feel at ease and at home. It is our aim, as the aware adult, to remove the obstacles that frustrate the child by building furnishings to his size and having materials at his arm's reach and at his eye level.
The Aware Adult
Another difference in a Montessori toddler program is the teacher, or the aware adult. The Directress is not continually entertaining the children nor does the Directress consistently initiate activities. Instead the Directress is an aware observer of the children and their needs and prepares and maintains an appropriate environment and atmosphere. The Directress respects the child and guides him into purposeful activity. When the Directress is needed the Directress is there, but when the child can do it on his own, the Directress steps back.
Preschool, The Primary Classroom
This multiage class, 2 & 3 year olds who are potty trained to 6 year olds, provides hands on learning experiences that teaches each child at an individual developmental level, rather than a fixed timetable according to age. Independence, concentration, grace and courtesy is the foundation upon which the child learns to cooperate, make choices, and challenge themselves to continually grow throughout life.
All areas of the Montessori learning environment, which include practical life, sensorial, language, and math, are available throughout the classroom. For further information on each of these areas, visit the Montessori Education page.
The foundations for math and reading are established through practical life and sensorial. Here is where the concentration and order of a child are practiced and carried through in math and language.
