NEWS!
The
Montessori Children’s Community has received approval for 28 children!
Approval
has been granted for an exemption for a group size of 28 children, three
to five years of age, in the morning session. (8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
The kindergarten age children will stay in the afternoon for lunch
and the extended day programme. (12:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
We have
been working towards meeting the criteria necessary to receive the AMI
Certificate for School Recognition. One of the criteria requires a
group size of 28 to 35 children, three to five years of age in the
morning session, with the older children staying in the afternoon for
the extended day programme.
About our Children's Community
The Montessori Children's Community opened September
5, 2006 in the heart of the Cambie/Oakridge area in Vancouver.
Our Dedication
The Montessori Children's Community is committed to supporting the wholesome growth and development of the human personality during the formative years of childhood. This is through the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. In this way, we can assist the child, not only in his natural quest for knowledge and independence, but also in his task of creating himself and in striving to realize his potential. This embodies Dr. Montessori's principle of education as an aid to life.
A Pilot Project
The Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia has been granted special permission to develop a Montessori prepared environment for children 3 to 6+ years of age following the criteria required by the Association Montessori Internationale for school recognition. Currently some B.C. regulations restrict Montessori schools from following such criteria.
The Montessori Children's Community will be a Pilot Project for British Columbia. The objectives of this Project are to establish a model class to demonstrate the excellent quality A.M.I. criteria promote and secondly, by working in collaboration with the Community Care Licensing Office in Vancouver to define a procedure that can be followed by other Montessori schools in B.C. which choose to operate according to A.M.I. requirements.
Research for the Pilot Project
To meet the objectives of the Pilot Project, we will be required to provide
current research. Parents registering their children in this programme
acknowledge this and agree that current research practices will be implemented,
such as videos, photographs and documentation all within recognized privacy
boundaries. It will be used specifically for research.
The Eden Philosophy
We are most excited to be located at Youville Residence - a seniors’ home
operated by Providence Health Centre. The Youville coordinators have welcomed us
enthusiastically. Recently they embraced the Eden Philosophy, one of the guiding
principles being: " An Elder-centered community commits to creating a Human
Habitat where life revolves around close and continuing contact with plants,
animals and children. It is these relationships that provide the young and old
alike with a pathway to a life worth living." As our program becomes
established, we hope to find ways to positively effect the lives of the seniors.
This will add a wonderful dimension to our children’s programme as well as to
the lives of the residents at Youville.
The Staff
Iveta Parobek completed her training as a
Montessori Directress in 2004 at the Montessori Training Centre of BC. She has
worked as a Montessori Directress for 6 years and is looking forward to joining
the Pilot Project and working with the children and their families at the
Montessori Children’s Community. Iveta and her husband have a son 15 years old
and a daughter 8 years old. They enjoy many of the outdoor activities available
in the Lower Mainland.
Parent Study Programme
The Montessori Children’s Community gives parents the opportunity to
participate in an interesting and dynamic Parent Study programme which
harmonizes developmental practices in the home and the school. This will be
presented by Eduardo Cuevas, the Director of Training of the Montessori Training
Centre of BC, and staff. As well as his many years training Montessori teachers,
Eduardo has extensive experience as a Montessori teacher, school administrator
and Director of Parent Education programmes. All parents enrolling their child
at the MCC are required to attend these monthly programmes.
As an Observation Site
As part of the students' training, the MTC of BC uses many of the Montessori
schools in the Lower Mainland for observation and practice teaching. The
Montessori Children's Community will be one of the sites used by the training
centre. Clear, strict guidelines are given to observers, as it is important this
is done without interacting with the children. The ability to guide children's
development based on keen observation of children's activity is an essential
quality of a Montessori teacher. The Montessori Children's Community will also
be used as a Practicum site for MTC of BC students.
For information, please
contact:
The Montessori Training
Centre of B.C.
#200 - 8555 Cambie Street
Vancouver, B.C. V6P 3J9
Telephone: (604) 604-261-0863
Fax: 604-261-2805
E-Mail:
montessorichildrenscommunity@telus.net
If you would like to
visit, please call to make an appointment .