Pre-Primary

From preschool through kindergarten

Children’s needs change as they move through different stages of development – and we change with them.

“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the period from birth to the age of six… for that is the time when intelligence itself, our greatest implement, is being formed.” – Dr. Maria Montessori

At CMH, our pre-primary program for preschoolers and kindergarteners aged three through six is not just the first stage of schooling – it’s the foundation of our entire educational approach and an important introduction to the three-year Montessori cycle. Montessori-trained teachers work with children individually and in small groups to foster and encourage creativity as well as new opportunities for learning. Careful observation of each child leads to valuable insight about learning needs and styles that are then incorporated in both work and play. Want to learn more?

Choices to Fit Your Child

Half-Day Preschool

Half Day Preschool meets from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for children up to four years old. Students engage in and explore works that help broaden their knowledge of the environment around them, from life skills like pouring and carrying to weekly sessions in library, Spanish, nature and Singing Circle.

Full-Day Programs

Our full day program meets Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children complete a morning work cycle, prepare for and enjoy lunch, then finish their school day building upon their early activities and engaging in additional enrichment such as music, physical education and recess. For children still in need of rest time, a nap or downtime is offered after lunch.

In all pre-primary classes, materials, equipment and furniture are child-size to allow for a maximum exploration and full expression of their growing creativity. Each classroom is dynamic to meet the changing needs of the child, with new materials introduced daily to encourage physical, emotional and intellectual growth.

Our curriculum emphasizes the development of perceptual and motor skills as well as social and academic abilities. Children are encouraged to develop good work habits, improve extended concentration skills and share in responsibilities – at their own pace, on their own level with gentle guidance from dedicated teachers.

Each oversized, comfort-filled room provides space for up to 30 students across a three-year age range. All pre-primary classes are fully equipped with in-room boys’ and girls’ restrooms, large sinks for works requiring water, and open spaces like rugs and tables for children to choose comfortable, appealing places to work.

Using hands-on teaching materials, all pre-primary children study a wide range of topics- class instruction covers art, botany, ecology, physical science, geography, handwriting, language, library, math, music, physical education, reading, Spanish and zoology. More importantly, students get the change to explore these topics in ways that employ their senses.