Summary

Contact Info

Montessori Children's House
1505 - 42nd Street
West Des Moines , IA 50266
www.themontessorichildrenshouse.net

Tel: (515) 225-1073
Fax: (515) 225-3781

Director: Shyamli Kumar
director@themontessorichildrenshouse.net

Admissions Director:
Kristin Johnson

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, parents may also download application and mail along with an application fee

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

160

Student/teacher ratio

10:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

1 years and 6 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

8/23/2009 - 5/23/2010

Summer Program

6/1/2009 - 8/14/2009

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

West Des Moines schools, Des Moines schools, Johnston school, Waukee schools, Urbandale schools

Survey Information

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

160

Student/teacher ratio

10:1

Established

1968

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

90%

- Masters

25%

- Teaching credentials

80%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Teachers/director meet children at their cars and walk the children into the classroom

- 7:30 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: Parents are allowed up to 10 minutes following dismissal time to pick up their child. After this the child will be placed in aftercare. The parents will be charged a drop-in aftercare charge.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

Yes

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

Yes

Other Accreditations

Montessori Centre International, UK

Other Memberships

International Montessori Council, USA

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

We also have a multipurose room and full kitchen with eating area for students

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					-
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	-	-	-	-	-
Time & space	-	-	-	-	-
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	-

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

Other subjects taught					n/a

Quality of Teaching

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

Home School Connection

Separation

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year

Discipline, Health and Safety

Food Allergies

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

- In some cases, certain foods were not allowed in classroom

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

- We call parents when the child needs medication

- parents must sign an authorization form

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years	20	Mon 8:30am - 3:00pm Tue 8:30am - 3:00pm Wed 8:30am - 3:00pm Thu 8:30am - 3:00pm Fri 8:30am - 3:00pm	$0/Year
From 2 years to 3 years	18		$0/Year
From 2 years to 3 years	18		$0/Year
From 2 years to 3 years	18		$0/Year
From 3 years to 6 years	20	Mon 8:20am - 11:20am Tue 8:20am - 11:20am Wed 8:20am - 11:20am Thu 8:20am - 11:20am Fri 8:20am - 11:20am	$0/Year
From 3 years to 6 years	20	Mon 12:20pm - 3:20pm Tue 12:20pm - 3:20pm Wed 12:20pm - 3:20pm Thu 12:20pm - 3:20pm Fri 12:20pm - 3:20pm	$0/Year
From 3 years to 6 years	20	Mon 8:30am - 3:00pm Tue 8:30am - 3:00pm Wed 8:30am - 3:00pm Thu 8:30am - 3:00pm Fri 8:30am - 3:00pm	$0/Year
From 5 years to 7 years	15	Mon 8:30am - 3:00pm Tue 8:30am - 3:00pm Wed 8:30am - 3:00pm Thu 8:30am - 3:00pm Fri 8:30am - 3:00pm	$0/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Before care begins at 7:30 am and after care begins at 3:00.

We also have an enrichment program everyday after school beginning at 3:20.

There are additional charges for these services.

Calendar Year

School Year

8/23/2009 - 5/23/2010

Summer Program

6/1/2009 - 8/14/2009

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, parents may also download application and mail along with an application fee

There is no wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: If child may require special attention, we may interview to make sure we can meet his needs

Parent interview process: We recommend parents coming into school and meet with us but not required

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $75

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Registration for next school year begins in January. Will notify families on their placement in February. After that they are notified immediately.

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: Within 15 days

Financial aid is available.

Director's Comments

Comments

Amount of aid varies from year to year.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 1 years and 6 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

West Des Moines schools, Des Moines schools, Johnston school, Waukee schools, Urbandale schools