Ottawa Montessori School - kanata Montessori School

The Montessori teaching method provides a rich learning environment empowering a child to develop to his or her full potential. We know that parents often have a lot of questions when looking for the right school. Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), as well as some suggestions for further reading.

1. What is the Montessori Method?

The term “Montessori” comes from the founder of this method, Dr. Maria Montessori.

Dr. Montessori (1870-1952) was the first woman to graduate from medical school in Italy. After graduation, she chose to work with handicapped and abandoned children. She developed her own philosophy of education based on her years of research and observation.  She felt that a child's natural desire to learn should be cultivated by providing an environment that is rich in its potential for exploration and discovery. Maria Montessori's major premise was that children educate themselves, given an environment that lets them discover for themselves. Therefore, the goal of early education is to cultivate interest and confidence, while providing the tools and assistance to make learning possible. Education, for Maria Montessori, was more than just a transmission of knowledge. It promotes the total development of the child, and of the adult she or he becomes. She felt that a truly educated individual is one that continues to learn long after leaving the classroom. 

For more information please visit our Philosophy or travel our Links. 

2. What are the benefits of a Montessori education?

The most important thing that the Montessori method offers is that it teaches the child how to learn, rather than what to learn. Many authorities on children’s development accept Dr. Montessori’s idea of the first six years as being the most important in learning. In addition, her method of using physical manipulation of the materials to permit the child to absorb abstract concepts is useful for children with many different learning styles. By having your child learn the Montessori way, you help him/her take advantage of the most absorbent period of her or his life, and give a firm basis for understanding numbers and words.

Your child will be immersed in a rich learning environment where she/he will be encouraged to make choices.  Your child will follow his or her interests, learn from peers and develop at her or his own rate in each area. Faster learners are not held back, and slower learners are not frustrated when they need more time to gain a complete understanding of the topic. He or she develops self-confidence and self-esteem that will carry her or him through life.  It has been said that the two most important gifts you can give your child are roots and wings. At Kanata Montessori School we work every day to help you provide these.

KMS will gladly lend their books on the Montessori Method to interested parents. The school also holds parent workshops.  Please check the calendar for dates and times.

3. Shouldn’t my child go to school with the children who live nearby?

In Ottawa-Carleton, the four school boards that offer programs to children virtually ensure that your neighbours’ children go to a number of different schools anyway. In addition, the families who choose a Montessori education for their children tend to have similar values that outweigh the convenience of living nearby.

4. How much does Montessori schooling cost?

please visit Our Fee Information page.

5. What kind of education & training do teachers have?

Our teachers have been trained according to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) standards.  AMI was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929, and has functioned as the source of Montessori principles as well as a centre for continuing research and development.  Just like other teachers in the public and private school systems, most teachers complete a bachelor's degree before moving on to teacher training.  AMI training provides one year of intensive, hand's on training, including practicum placements and the development of classroom materials.

The elementary staff are generally more highly qualified than elementary teachers in the public school system.  Our staff come to the school with the standard B.A., B.Ed. or M.Ed., augmented by specific Montessori training. 

KMS has attracted staff with a diversity of backgrounds and believes strongly that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. 

Staff at KMS is highly regarded by parents and children.  Surveys repeatedly indicate that the prime reason for satisfaction with the school is the quality of the staff.  

6. What kind of regulations does KMS adhere to?

KMS is registered under the Ontario Day Nurseries Act, licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, and licensed as an Elementary Education Private School by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

KMS is accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA).  Because “Montessori” is a name in the public domain, accreditation with a recognized Montessori organization is an important indicator of the use of Montessori methods and materials.

The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has functioned as the source of Montessori principles as well as a centre for continuing research and development.  Until recently, Kanata Montessori School was affiliated with AMI.  However, AMI significantly altered its requirements over the past few years.  AMI Canada now requires as a fundamental principle that schools: have class sizes of 28-35, eliminate the use of all specialists and allow no interruptions the three-hour work cycle. When confronted with these new requirements, it became clear that we did not wish to increase its class sizes beyond 24, and that we valued the use of specialists in particular areas such as French and Art.  As we looked into the future we did not see the current AMI requirements as increasing our ability to meet student needs.

KMS is not alone in taking this new direction. The number of AMI schools in Canada has dropped from over 50 to less than 3 in the last three years. KMS will continue to implement quality Montessori programs, but does not feel that AMI Canada accreditation is a requirement for excellence in programming.

7. I’m interested in sending my child to Kanata Montessori School.  What do I do next?

There are several things you can do.

• If you don't know much about Montessori, you can read this website, and take a look at our Links or other materials you may find.

• You can plan to attend our next Open House or Tour.

• If you know that Kanata Montessori School is the right choice for your family, please download our Application Form and send it to us.  We will contact you soon after we receive your application.

8. How do Montessori children adjust when they enter public school?

The goal of a Montessori education is to develop your child’s love of learning so that she/he keeps it throughout life.  The child who transfers out of Montessori has a positive attitude towards school and self- discipline and responsibility.

Most children transferring from Montessori to a public school adjust easily to their new classrooms. The self-confidence that Montessori education imparts allows them to fit in easily with their peers, and their confidence in the teacher as a caring adult who wants them to learn helps them communicate well with the teachers. Montessori students moving into traditional classroom settings often are academically in advance of their classmates because they have learned basic concepts with their hands before working with abstract numbers and ideas. The longer the students has been in the Montessori program, the more easily he or she can adjust to the traditional classroom because of strong self-confidence. 

Completing the six-year elementary program provides the child with a strong academic foundation in language arts, sciences, mathematics and social studies. The students gain and develop inter-personal skills through group work.  This combination of a good academic foundation and strong social skills permit the child to enter a new educational setting with the confidence to succeed.

9. How can I find out more about Montessori/the Montessori Method?

You can go to our Philosophy, which provides a summary of not only our values and principles, but also an overview of the Montessori method.  If you still would like to find out more, check out our Links, your local library or another independent source.

When we have a space available we will phone you as early as possible