A small morning group for three to five year olds in South Slope, a few minutes from Prospect Park. We think children are capable of much more than they are usually given credit for, and a room built for three lets them show it.
Somewhere between a nanny share and a preschool: one trained teacher, three children who know each other well, and a room set up so they can do things for themselves.
Three children, so the teacher picks up tomorrow exactly where each one left off today.
Pouring, sweeping, cutting fruit, finishing what they started. Most of teaching is setting things up, then stepping back.
Sit in for a morning, bring something you love to do, or wave from the door. All of those are fine.
Shoes off, indoor shoes on, a hello song.
A long stretch of practical life and activities chosen around what each child is into right now.
Books, drawing, music, pretend, with counting and words folded in.
The park, most days.
Everything back on the shelf, a goodbye song, and home.
A Montessori educator for three decades, most recently a lead teacher at a Brooklyn Montessori school. She has run small home groups like this one before.
Aurora’s dad. Works in software, reads too much about how young children learn, and wanted this for her.
“She consistently created a calm, structured, and nurturing environment that encouraged self-directed exploration and intellectual curiosity.”
“Tailored her instruction to meet the unique emotional, cognitive, and social needs of each child.”
“Warm, trusting partnerships with parents and caregivers.”
From a letter of recommendation by Reina’s former director at Elite Minds Montessori, Brooklyn
The teaching is hands on and unplugged. Behind it, sapling.day, software we built ourselves, handles notes on your child’s morning, photos, scheduling and payments, so the admin stays out of everyone’s way.
Fifteen minutes, in person or on the phone, to meet Reina and see the room. We will write back within a day.