Child Care
Why First School Mahomet?Uniquely, First School offers a true child-centered approach that nurtures a lifelong love of learning. With its emphasis on independence, hands-on learning, and individualized instruction, Montessori education fosters critical thinking, creativity, and a strong sense of self, setting children up for success in both academics and life.
Preparing For School and Beyond
The emphasis on self-directed learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills hones their ability to adapt to various educational settings. The collaborative atmosphere in mixed-age Montessori classrooms fosters strong communication skills and a deep sense of respect for others, enabling smooth transitions into traditional school environments where collaboration and communication are key.
Happy, Well-Adjusted, Independent Children
Montessori education has consistently demonstrated its remarkable ability to cultivate happy, well-adjusted, and independent children. By embracing a child-centered approach, Montessori schools foster an environment that nurtures each child’s innate curiosity and desire to learn.
Parent Education and Social Events
Our approach to education places a strong emphasis on collaboration and partnership between educators and parents, recognizing the pivotal role parents play in a child’s development. Montessori schools actively involve parents by offering regular communication channels, including conferences, workshops, and open houses, where parents can gain insights into their child’s progress, observe classroom activities, and engage with the Montessori philosophy. This open dialogue allows parents to align their efforts at home with the principles practiced at school, creating a cohesive learning experience for the child.
And So Much More
Safety First
First School ensures the safe arrival and departure of all our children. Security procedures are strictly enforced. Each parent or authorized pick-up person will have access through the finger-scanning technology system to access entry into First School. All visitors may ring the doorbell and are met at the door to be manually checked in. First School maintains a high level of compliance with state regulatory agencies. We are licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, inspected by the Champaign County Department of Public Health, and inspected by the Illinois State Fire Marshall.
Nutrition
Good Nutrition is important for a child’s physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional growth. Weekly menus offer a variety of healthy options (including vegetarian) for morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack to meet the daily nutrition needs of children. Meals are served in a family style setting where children may assist in setting the table, serving food, and cleaning up.
Health and Cleanliness
Regular hand washing stations in each classroom help curb the spread of germs. Children are regularly monitored for symptoms of illness. Parents are notified immediately when their child does not feel well to help prevent spread of illness. Classrooms are cleaned and disinfected regularly, with child-safe products. Cleaning supplies are stored in locked cabinets.
Toys & Playgrounds
Toys are regularly disinfected and checked for broken or loose parts, plus tested for possible choking hazards for children under age 3. The outside classroom playground is secured with locked fencing and inspected daily.
First School Programs
Montessori for infants involves creating a safe and interactive environment that allows them to practice skills such as grasping, crawling, and walking. By providing age-appropriate toys and materials, teachers guide infants develop their sensory and large and small motor skills, as well as their cognitive abilities.
A Montessori classroom for toddlers safely supports a child’s drive to do things independently, developing confidence and a sense of competence. This is the time for children to explore and discover through active play. In addition, our educators give toddlers responsive, individualized attention to help build skills in:
- Sensory and Perception
- Self-help
- Language
- Physical and Motor Skills
- Social and Emotional Growth
- Music and Art
- Language
- Science
- Math
- Geography
In our classroom for 2-year-olds, children begin to do more complex multi-step work. This prepares them for our preschool class. They learn a basic sense of quantity and numbers and simple research into animals. Teachers also create station learning for many sensory and motor materials, which focus on identifying and continuing patterns.
The Montessori Pre-K program offers a unique, mixed-age classroom environment, for children approximately 3 to 5 years old. Children engage in individual learning experiences, as well as one-on-one interactions.
As children get older, they tend to see things that adults find ordinary as very interesting and special. Practical life exercises like sorting, pouring, or washing dishes absorb them completely.
We recognize this as the beginning of control and coordination of mind and body. That’s why Pre-K teachers focus lessons around tangible, hands-on experiences.
Children use concrete materials to learn math; movable alphabet letters to explore language; and cubes, cylinders and other objects to categorize, find spatial relationships, and more. Practical learning experiences explore key subjects including:
- Science and Nature
- Music and Movement
- Sensorial
- Cooking and Nutrition
- Cultural Awareness
- History
- Geography
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
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