Summary

Contact Info

Cinco Ranch Montessori School
2530 Peek Rd.
Katy , TX 77450
www.montessori.com

Tel: (281) 392-0011
Fax: (281) 392-0015

Director: Rebecca Hollingsworth
lpatxm13@montessori.com

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), meet with child.

Wait list

No

Key Statistics

Extended day

Yes

School year

Year round program

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 2

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Established

1998

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

50%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 06:30 PM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: Late fees incur.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Teach religious concepts

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• We have an autistic child and several children with developmental delays.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Accreditations

No

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (5.0)

Classroom equipment and furniture

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Overall it was satisfactory. Not entirely sure I'd elect to enroll my child there again if I could go back in time.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Authentic Montessori philosophy. Children are considered unique individuals in which a lesson plan is developed for each child based on observations of the Montessori Directress(teacher). We are here to foster a love of learning through discovery. Our classrooms are hands on environments with all materials ranging from concrete to abstract.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Class begins at 8:30 with a circle time (aka line time) this is to set the tone for the day. Followed by an individual work period that lasts from two and half to three hours. Playtime, story time, and lunch are also included in the morning work time which ends at 12:30. From 12:30 to 2:30 the children have a short rest time and another work period. The school day ends at 2:30. We do offer before and after school care for children from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 pm.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Montessori is a philosophy that allows children freedom within very well defined boundaries. Children are guided and presented with the materials. They are then encouraged to repeat the lessons given. Lessons given are based the child's developmental, social, emotional, and academic abilities. The teacher observes and develops an individualized lesson for each child.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (2.0)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language				YES
Oral language	-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development				n/a
Math and number sense	-	-	-	YES
Time & space	-	-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	YES
Music	-	-	-	YES

Visual arts	-	-	-	YES
Physical activity	-	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught	In the Montessori environment, the child starts in an area known as Practical Life. With the materials in this area, the child develops his hand eye coordination, concentration, independence, and control. The materials in this are have built in direct and indirect preparations for reading and writing, such as spooning beans from one pitcher to another which is done from left to right. Another area is Sensorial in which the child's senses are defined based on materials that have built in control of error. The materials include visual disrimination, sequencing, grading, tactile and auditory discrimination, developing the olfactory senses, and even tasting.			n/a

Director's Comments

The Montessori curriculum is the entire environment and comes from within the child. The classroom is set up in areas of the core curriculum such as Language, Math, Science, Geography, Sensorial, Practical Life, Art, etc. The child is free to explore what he is interested in and drawn to; however, he is first shown the proper way to use the materials. He is shown and encouraged to explore and discover on his own. Children that are concentrating and working with purpose are left alone. The teacher is a keen observer and is ready to assist when neeed.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (3.1)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

Through observation the teacher can identify when a child may need extra attention. Based on the observation she can formulate an action plan to ensure the child's needs are being met. She will meet with the parents to discuss the plan and decide a course of action that can be a bridge between school and home.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.2)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Director's Comments

Twice yearly parent-teacher conferences with written progress reports. Teachers are available by appointment.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Extra staff dedicated to handle seperation
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We encourage school visits with parent and child prior to the first day. For toddlers we encourage the parent to stay for awhile each day until the child is comfortable.

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Not impressed with amount of communication and feedback from the teacher. Informal "how did she do today" was borderline frowned upon... twice-a-year conferences were the "appropriate time" to discuss progress and concerns.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are not encouraged to drop-in

General Parent Education

-This preschool does conduct parent education classes

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (1.5)

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (1.2)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled poorly in a way that makes me concerned about the safety of my child

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

Positive re-direction and verbal communication. We teach peaceful conflict resolution skills to assist the children in their social development. Role-playing to illustrate another way to solve a problem in a group setting. Children are not born with empathy and we feel that modeling and expecting respect for others builds the foundation for children to learn how to be socially acceptable members of society.

Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'

Our teachers would not interfere unless needed. If needed, the scenario would be that she helps the child understand through verbal communication. Such as asking child A how would you feel if B did not want to be your friend today? Of course, we must accept a child's answer because they are honest and literal. We would not force a child to play with another, we would simply help the child understand that someone may not always want to play on that day and we can try again later.

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Felt there was a severe lack of teacher guidance in mediating scuffles between kids. It seemed a lot of "tattle-taling" was encouraged, which was not appealing to our parenting style or child's personality.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Calendar Year

School Year

Year round program

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school, after a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), meet with child.

There is no wait list for upcoming school year. • Phone calls.

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: Possible, at school's discretion and takes the form of either Director or Teacher

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Application fee: $200.00

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Rolling

Deposit required:

Financial aid is not available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Director's views on diversity:
Very diverse! We love the culture of our school, it is so full of beautiful children from around the world--it makes us who we are! Each year we celebrate our diversity by hosting an International Fesitival in the spring. The parents and children come together for a feast and celebration with foods and entertainment from around the world.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.