Garden Montessori School

• Julianna Velthoen
  
  
  (May 2, 2017, 8:49 am)

  My two youngest children, both boys, went to Garden Montessori for two years each, and I couldn't be more pleased with the nurturing environment and whole-child experience and education they received there. My boys both looked forward to school everyday, and I felt confident sending them there, knowing they were in such experienced, loving hands.
  
  After four combined years of Garden Montessori preschool, I have seen such growth in my children, both developmentally and personally. In addition to the fine motor skills kids needed (such as cutting with scissors, writing their name, etc.) the teachers provided opportunities for my boys to pursue academics at their own pace, in a way that felt engaging and inspiring to each. For example, one of my boys was drawn to math, and spent hours absorbed in number books, learning some elementary counting and addition. My other boy is less interested in number books, but he loves cutting out days of the week and numbers and arranging them all in order, and then gluing them into the monthly calendar. They were both getting exposed to numbers and mathematical concepts, but in ways that felt exciting to each personally. Both boys became more independent, proud to take on bigger jobs at home and share in the family chores, and able to follow increasingly complex instructions. Socially, I saw a leap in their ability to navigate interpersonal issues (working collaboratively, sharing, responding to someone who said or did something that hurt their feelings).
  
  I always felt like teachers Troy and Karine were my most critical teammates in nurturing my children's love of learning and their readiness for Kindergarten. My boys both have late-summer birthdays, which made the Kindergarten decision a little more complex. And each boy had different readiness levels socially and academically. I had moments of being on the fence with both of them...should I send them to TK or go straight for Kinder? Throughout the months where I was making this hard choice, Troy and Karine shared their observations and insights about each boy's strengths and areas for growth, and they helped me work through my concerns and in the end, make what I believe was the right decision for both. My older son, now in 2nd grade, sailed into Kindergarten as the youngest child in his class, completely prepared to succeed in every way. He was able to work cooperatively with other children, listen and follow directions, play well with a variety of new friends, and work at the top of his class academically. My younger son is headed to Kinder this fall instead of TK. He's got a different personality and different interests and skills than my older son, but I believe he is also just as prepared to succeed in Kindergarten and that for him, Kinder is the logical extension of the solid foundation he built at Garden.
  
  I have also appreciated both Troy and Karine's patience and genuine knowledge of each of my children as individual people. When my boys were involved in the inevitable playground skirmishes or were on the giving or receiving end of hurt feelings, they related the events to me so that I could reinforce the right messages at home, or help my child find a more constructive way to respond in the future. When one of my children was the aggressor in a situation, they were firm but loving. They didn't make my child feel like a bad person, but encouraged him in making different choices and expressing his feelings in a better way the next time.
  
  In my four years as a Garden parent, I have consistently been pleased with the education that has enhanced my children's natural curiosity and desire to learn, the nurturing environment that allowed my children to thrive, and the loving, personal attention of the teachers. If you are seeking a preschool that embodies the Montessori philosophy, Garden is first rate.

• TJ Williams
  
  
  (May 8, 2013, 3:59 pm)

  Here are the reasons why our family LOVES Garden Montessori:
  
  1. FOSTERING A LOVE OF LEARNING: We firmly believe that that learning is a lifetime endeavor, and specifically sought a learning environment that would set the foundation for an enduring love of acquiring knowledge and exploration.
  
  At Garden, we were so pleased to find that the curriculum here covers the people, plants and animals of all 7 continents (over a period of two years). They cover art and science (rotated over two years), one year culminating in an Art Show while the other year culminating in a Science Fair. On one visit, I watched a child cut out a species of fish that swam in South American waters (active learning and simultaneously practicing manual dexterity) and excitedly informed me about the fish.
  
  2. DEVELOPING INDEPENDENCE & SELF CONFIDENCE: At Garden Montessori, the teachers have worked magic in building up her sense of self. She has blossomed tremendously over the past two years under their guidance - evolving from a scared little girl who didn't like to be without her family to one that confidently asserts herself and can work independently for long periods of time.
  
  3. HOLISTIC LEARNING (versus rote memorization): We toured a large number of preschools and noted that many children were learning by memorization. They can easily recite their numbers, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ..." but didn't understand if you said, "Can you hand me 5 pencils?"
  
  We love Garden Montessori because they teach a core understanding of a subject matter, and not through rote memory. They don't teach children to memorize that the word "cat" is C-A-T, but that the construct of the word is C-AT (cat), which can also be H-AT (hat) or B-AT (bat). Basic principles that can be applied in other situations.
  
  4. CHOICE IN ACTIVITIES: In other preschools, we noticed the children were organized into small workgroups that worked on a single exercise (example: making a butterfly, because they were learning about butterflies that day). But what if the child didn't want to make a butterfly? Another reason we chose Garden is because each day, the school is set up with a wide range of activities that all support the learning of a concept - and the child is able to choose from among the activities set out. We subscribe to the fact that individual choice (which is not free play) supports active and engaged learning.
  
  5. GRACE & COURTESY: In short supply these days! At Garden, I've noticed that these elements are a part of their everyday curriculum. The older children are taught to mentor the younger ones. During the fall, the children practice a simple task of pouring and serving tea (over and over) - culminating in a Mother's Tea in December - a demonstration of their ability to practice grace and courtesy.
  
  6. CALM & ORDER: One of the most astounding aspects of Garden Montessori is the miniature child-sized kitchen. During our first visit, our jaws dropped when we watched this 4 year old set out his own place setting, microwaved his own snack, and cleaned his own dishes afterward - oblivious to our stares. After that - we were sold!
  
  7. SETTING: And lastly, Garden Montessori is located on a 1/3-acre in a residential neighborhood, within a home that has been reconstructed to adapt to the scale of little ones. It has a large green space for the kids to run during free play, a vegetable garden, and play structures. It's home-like and it makes me feel good to drop off my daughter there. Because it's in a neighborhood, I can understand why the school has a strict drop-off/pick-up protocol - they are simply being good neighbors. I have found that each of the teachers are available to discuss any issue during the course of the school year.
  
  8. MOST IMPORTANTLY ... Our daughter LOVES her school and her teachers. What more of an affirmation can we ask for? So we love it as well.
  
  I would encourage anyone to make an appointment to visit and judge for themselves.
  

• Niki Lianides
  
  
  (June 15, 2012, 6:10 pm)

  Garden Montessori is a wonderful preschool. Our two children have both attended and we could not be happier with everything about it. The teachers are absolutely amazing- providing all of the love, support, guidance, and nurturing one could ask for. The curriculum is rich and well-rounded. The environment is calm, peaceful and ideal for learning. Our first born who has now finished 1st grade has been thriving in elementary school. Our second child is now leaving Garden for Kindergarten which is bittersweet. Both our children were so happy at Garden and we will all miss it terribly. I think that is the sign of a great preschool- when it is time to go, you just can't imagine not being a part of it anymore. If you are looking for an amazing preschool experience for your child, look no further than Garden Montessori.

• Steph Smith
  
  
  (June 6, 2012, 9:14 pm)

  What a fantastic little school! Caring, insightful, experienced teachers! A really beautiful, fully equipped facility! Truly challenging & child-centered curriculum! Happy, engaged, socially connected children! A very special place...

Garden Montessori School

• Interested parents can learn about Garden Montessori School. This includes our schedule and tuition, information about our program, our policies, our staff and our histo ry. For more information or to contact Garden Montessori School Please call (925) 837-2969 or email jaye@gardenschool.net Garden Montessori School, Preschool, Danville, Ca.

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