All questions are good questions. Please read through all of the FAQs to better understand our school’s philosophy and core values. If you have further questions, please feel free to send us an email and/or call us. Our answers will support and guide you throughout this admissions journey.
General
CHMS has a Montessori toddler program and a Montessori preschool program. The Montessori toddler program is made up of one classroom called Sweet Pea. The Montessori preschool program is made up of four classrooms called, Tulip, Dogwood, Sunflower, and Cherry Blossom. Each classroom has at least five windows that receive natural light.
CHMS follows all Arlington County and Virginia guidelines for teacher to student ratios. In the toddler program, the teacher to student ratio is 1:8. However, we have at least three Montessori Guides in our toddler classroom. In the preschool program, the teacher to student ratio is 1:10. We also have additional Montessori guides on staff that help support classrooms when necessary.
Yes. CHMS is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.,12 months out of the year. We want our Montessori guides to be well rested, spend valuable time with their families, and have space to take care of their mental health. Thus, we are closed for all federal holidays and have a Thanksgiving break (3 days), December break (10 days), Spring break (5 days) and Summer break (5 days).
Before you think you are ready (early as possible). Parents have applied a year or two years in advance, and sometimes even before the child is born. We always welcome applications at any point during the calendar year.
Yes, we offer both virtual and in-person tours. Virtual tours are held on Zoom. Our in-person tours consist of a meeting on our playground with our Head of School, Ms. Denise, or Assistant Head of School, Mr. Jad.
Toddler Program
The toddler program is comprised of our Sweet Pea classroom. Children in the Sweet Pea classroom are typically between 2 to 3 years of age. However, it is possible for children a few months younger than 2 years old to join our toddler program.
No. Toddlers are welcome in diapers. However, during your child’s time in the toddler program, your child’s Montessori guide will recommend a specific time to begin the potty training process with your child. Our Montessori Guides keep daily records of bathroom habits of each child and observe children throughout the day. The answers to the following questions will help guide your child’s potty training journey: “How long is his/her diaper dry for?”, “Does your child communicate (even if it is one word, or a noise) that s/he needs to go to the bathroom?”, “Does your child do a “potty dance” right before s/he pees or poos?” Your child’s Montessori Guide will email you when your child is ready and instructions for how to proceed so your child successfully completes this milestone. Looking forward to the preschool program, your child must be completely potty trained by the time s/he enters our preschool program.
Toddlers are free to wear what they like. Children should wear plain and simple clothing, so they can enjoy their Montessori classroom with limited distractions or restrictions to movement.
CHMS opens from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.. We offer the following pick up time frames: 11:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..
All toddlers nap from 12:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.., each day.
Yes. Toddlers who stay at CHMS past 12:00 p.m., enjoy our catered lunch. We partner with Good Foods, a Clarendon based company, that provides nutritious and healthy lunches to our students. Children learn to become good eaters by trying new foods that Good Foods offers. The menu rotates every 3 months and children enjoy vegetables or salad, a protein entrée, bread, and fresh cut fruit each day. Here’s a sample menu:
Parents provide 1 – 2 snacks daily. If your child leaves CHMS at 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.., then your child needs one snack, each day. If your child leaves CHMS between 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., then your child needs two snacks, each day.
Parents can drop off their child anytime between 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.. Cars queue in our parking lot and form three lanes. Once you arrive at a specific traffic cone, place your car in park and unbuckle your toddler from their car seat. If you choose to bike or walk to CHMS, you may walk along our playground fence until you arrive at a traffic cone. Your toddler will then join his or her classmates and Montessori Guides. Pick up procedures are the same as drop off procedures. During pick up, parents queue in our parking lot and wait for a CHMS staff member to bring your child to you.
Preschool Program
Which classrooms are a part of the preschool program? How old are students in the preschool program?
The preschool program is comprised of our Tulip, Cherry Blossom, Sunflower, and Dogwood classrooms. Children in each classroom are typically between 3 to 6 years of age. However, it is possible for children a few months younger than 3 years old to join our preschool program. Children who are enrolled in our preschool program are fully potty trained and emotionally ready for this program.
Yes. In order for your child to enter the preschool program, s/he must be fully potty trained. This means, s/he is dry for the entire time at CHMS and wears underwear, without training underwear and/or pullups. We understand that accidents can happen. That’s why it’s important for your child to have multiple pairs of extra clothes in his/her cubby at CHMS.
Our CHMS uniform. It consists of a collared shirt with our CHMS logo, navy blue or beige shorts/pants, navy blue or beige jumpers or dresses, plain colored socks, and velcro sneakers.
CHMS opens from 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.. We offer the following pick up time frames: 11:45 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m..
Preschoolers rest from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., or not at all, depending on their age. Most preschoolers sleep during this time, since they are exhausted from the busy Montessori classroom environment. Children are invited to bring a small lovey (<6 inches in length), which can be kept inside their nap mat.
Yes. Preschoolers who stay at CHMS past 12:00 p.m., enjoy our catered lunch. We partner with Good Foods, a Clarendon based company, that provides nutritious and healthy lunches to our students. Children learn to become good eaters by trying new foods that Good Foods offers. The menu rotates every 3 months and children enjoy vegetables or salad, a protein entrée, bread, and fresh cut fruit each day. Here’s a sample menu:
Parents provide 1 – 2 snacks daily. If your child leaves CHMS at 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.., then your child needs one snack, each day. If your child leaves CHMS between 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., then your child needs two snacks, each day.
Parents can drop off their child anytime between 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.. Cars queue in our parking lot and form three lanes. Once you arrive at a specific traffic cone, place your car in park and unbuckle your preschooler from their car seat. If you choose to bike or walk to CHMS, you may walk along our playground fence until you arrive at a traffic cone. Your toddler will then join his or her classmates and Montessori Guides. During pick up, parents queue in our parking lot and wait for a CHMS staff member to bring your child to you.