How enrollment works
Get in touch
Call 201-447-3333 or email littlecranemontessori@gmail.com. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. From there we can talk about which program fits, Stepping Stones or Primary, and what the next step looks like. You do not need to have everything decided before you reach out.
Tour the room
Come see the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it. Plan on spending time watching the room at work, with children moving through their day and choosing their own materials. Bring your questions; most parents find the tour answers things a phone call cannot. After the visit, you can decide whether to apply during our admissions season.
Enroll and settle in
Once enrollment is complete, we plan a first week that suits your child's routine. Expect a gentle start and a teacher who knows your child's name. Families can ask us how the first days will look.
What to have ready
Most families bring enrollment forms, a health form and immunization record, emergency contacts, and the names of adults allowed to pick up their child. We will tell you exactly which papers we need. If you are unsure about any form, ask at the office and we will walk you through it.
Pack a full change of clothes, outdoor gear for the season, nap items if your child rests here, and one small comfort object. Label everything with your child's name. A spare bag that stays at school saves everyone a scramble later.
Before the first day, settle the drop-off routine and decide who will pick up. Tell us how you would like to hear about the day, whether at the door or by phone. A short goodbye works better than a long one, for you and for your child.
The first weeks
The first days are usually shorter, so your child can build up to the full morning. A familiar object from home can stay in the cubby or in a pocket. A teacher greets your child by name at the door, every morning.
At pickup, teachers tell you how your child ate, rested, and played, and who they spent time with. Ask about anything you noticed that morning. Most children settle into the rhythm within the first few weeks, and each one takes their own time.
2.5 to 6
HoursStepping Stones AM program: 8:45 AM – 11:30 AM
What families ask
What about tuition?
Ask about current rates when you call or tour. They depend on your child's age and schedule.
What ages do you take?
Children from 2.5 to 6.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes. A tour is how most families decide, and children are welcome to come along.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Most families pack a change of clothes, indoor shoes, and a comfort item for rest time, all labelled with your child's name. A water bottle and a small snack help too, unless your child is in the Extended Day program. Ask your child's teacher for the list that fits your program.
How do you handle the first weeks?
Settling in usually starts with shorter days, then stretches toward the full schedule as your child grows comfortable. Many children bring a familiar object from home, a small blanket or a photo, to keep nearby during the first weeks. At pickup, the teacher tells you how your child ate, rested, and played, and what to watch for at home.
What does a typical day include?
A day is built around arrival, unhurried play and learning, meals and rest, and time outdoors. Stepping Stones runs 8:45am to 11:30am, or to 2:45pm in the Extended Day program. After school runs 2:45pm to 4:00pm. Pickup follows the schedule you have chosen, and you can ask us what fits your child.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Parents hear about the day at pickup, and teachers are glad to answer questions then. A quick word about what your child worked on or how they ate can tell you a lot. For anything more, you can ask to speak with the teacher directly.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age and on what is open at the time. Ask us which program and which hours are available for your child.
What if there is no place right now?
If a place is not open now, ask to be told when one comes up for your child's age. We will keep your details on file.
What should I ask on the tour?
Worth asking: the hours, whether meals are provided, who can pick up, how the first weeks are handled, and how the day runs. Ask what your child would do on a typical morning. The answers tell you more than any brochure.