Country Garden Montessori School follows the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of the Montessori method, which states “Education begins at birth”. The first stage of human life (from birth through 6 years) is when character is formed. Habits of order, concentration, perseverance and thoroughness established in the early years will produce a confident and competent learner in later years. Based on her philosophy of education, Montessori developed materials to assist children in reaching their full potential. Montessori also stated that movement was crucial to learning, and children learn with their hands. Montessori materials are manipulative and begin with concrete lessons and continue to abstract ones. Children vary in the way they learn (some are visual learners, some are auditory learners, etc.). The Montessori classroom provides a multisenory approach to learning and encourages children to develop independence, self reliance, a love of learning and follows the individual needs of each child. The success of the Montessori method has developed into thousands of Montessori schools that cover six continents.

Country Garden Montessori currently has one Children’s House classroom (ages 3-6), with plans to expand (ages 6-9). It provides a very nurturing and warm educational environment. The student to teacher ratio is low, which allows for more individual attention for each child. The school was started 3 ½ years ago by Claudia Vickers, who has been a Montessori teacher for 18 years. Before starting her own school, she taught at private Montessori schools as well as Sterling Montessori and Casa Esperanza Montessori Charter School. She has two bachelor degrees (one in early childhood education – Birth through Kindergarten Education) as well as graduate level work. She also has a North Carolina teaching license. She was excited to branch out with her own school, bringing Montessori to Johnston County.

Country Garden Montessori has just started enrolling for Fall 2012. Scheduled visits and observations are welcome. For more information on scheduling a visit, please call (919) 639-8388 or send an email to claudia@countrygardenmontessori.net. You can also go to the website www.countrygardenmontessori.net. Open Houses have also been scheduled: Friday, Feb. 24. from 3 – 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. - noon.