Montessori Preschool
With a highly individualized approach, each child IS the curriculum when every lesson is tailored to their unique interests and abilities.
Welcome to our preschool program, where the love of learning meets the science of teaching. We are so glad you’re here.
Step inside any Montessori classroom around the world and you will find kind, confident young learners engaged in hands-on activities alongside their multi-aged peers in a collaborative environment. At Friends School of Wilmington, our Stepping Stones and Stargazer classrooms are grounded in Maria Montessori’s revolutionary pedagogy and guided by our commitment to Quaker values, like community, stewardship, and simplicity.
Dr. Montessori recognized that “play is the work of the child” and highlighted the young learner’s natural curiosity for exploration and discovery. Our classroom and campus environments provide children with the tools to develop themselves in a space where creativity, exploration, independence, and discovery are not only encouraged, but celebrated. Whether through natural outdoor exploration or indoor peaceful work periods, each child is involved in their own educational process. Our materials and activities, or “works,” are designed to support self-directed curiosities and learning. With a highly individualized approach, each child IS the curriculum when every lesson is tailored to their unique interests and abilities.
When children are given the freedom to explore and connect with their environment, they develop a strong sense of self, sense of belonging, and social-emotional intelligence. Our goal is to help our students create themselves in a space designed specifically for them so that they may develop the skills necessary to become successful, responsible, and creative citizens of the world. We equip the child with basic skills designed to meet the developmental needs of a person who is new to their world and eager to find how they each contribute to its evolution. Every day, our students engage with others in an environment rich in language and diverse in culture, where healthy relationships are modeled and peaceful problem solving is supported.
As an educational model that has excelled for more than a century, we invite you to jumpstart your child’s lifelong academic and social-emotional success. Please enjoy reading more about our pedagogical approach as you navigate our website and join us by scheduling a tour to see how Friends School can support your littlest learners.
In Friendship,
Ciara Goins
Interim Preschool Coordinator
Ciara Goins
Classroom Programs
| CLASS | AGES | MEETING DAYS | TIMES | TEACHING TEA M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stepping Stones Coral | 2-3 Years | M-F | 8AM-12PM | Marsha & Kendra |
| Stepping Stones Reef | 2-3 Years | 3-, and 5-Day Options | 8AM-12PM | Angie & Mariya |
| Stargazer Blue | 3-4 Years | M-F | 8AM-12PM | Ciara & Patrick |
| Stargazer Purple | 3-4 Years | M-F | 8AM-12PM | Ivy & Katie |
| Stargazer Extended Day* | 3-4 Years | M-F | 12-2:45PM | Ciara, Patrick & Kendra |
| Our Extended Day program consists of students from both Stargazer Blue and Stargazer Purple classrooms. The program begins at 12PM after our half-day preschool dismissal. | ||||
The Montessori Curriculum
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