The Nido classroom is a calm, cozy, homelike environment for babies.
Babies are born to learn, and our care specialists are born to be an extension of your parental love. When you drop off your child at ExcellED, your presence will still be felt in your child in your absence. Our hands unite with your hands to form a bond of comfort, security, and unspeakable joy. We invite you to come to experience how we are redefining the beginning years.
“The infant in arms has far greater mental energies than are usually imagined.” (Maria Montessori)
☀ A baby-proofed space that is safe for the baby to move and explore
☀ A floor bed
☀ A mobile above the floor bed
☀ A mirror attached to the wall beside the bed or a horizontal mirror next to the floor bed
☀ Low pictures on the walls
☀ Low shelves
☀ Child-sized furniture
☀ Pull and push toys to promote gross motor movement
☀ A stair with low steps and a railing to practice climbing up and down
☀ An outdoor space designed especially for infants, with soft surfaces and a variety of spaces to explore, plus equipment to climb over and through
☀ Multi-child strollers for taking infants on regular “buggy rides” both indoors (multi-purpose room) and outdoors around our campus
The primary focus during this stage is on providing a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the infant’s physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. Here are some key elements of the Montessori curriculum for infants:
It’s important to note that the Montessori curriculum for infants is highly individualized, as each child progresses at their own pace. The Montessori teacher’s role in the infant environment is to observe, guide, and support the child’s natural development, providing a nurturing and responsive environment that fosters growth and independence.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics findings, babies love faces! Babies especially love the faces of their parents and caregivers, but they also enjoy seeing all types of faces, whether they are in books, faces of friendly visitors, or you guessed it – in the mirror! All infant classrooms at ExcellED Montessori have mirrors. A baby can use a low mirror to explore and develop concentration. This mirror helps a baby get a new perspective on his or her surroundings. It also helps babies to concentrate on their own movements and eventually to coordinate them.
We support breastfeeding! Our Infant rooms welcome mothers who want to nurse their babies during midday visits.
Babies in our infant rooms do not spend time in playpens, jumpers, or walkers.
Exploring the classroom freely gives children the opportunity to do, see, feel, taste, touch, put together, take apart, wonder, discover, invent, accomplish and communicate all that they find. Ideas can grow from ideas. There is no limit to the learning that can take place.
In the morning, the body and the mind need enough energy to function properly. This energy is provided by breakfast. During the sleep hours, your child is not eating anything. Therefore, the energy reserves of the body are substantially low after they wake up. Breakfast gives children the much-needed nutrition after a gap of almost ten to twelve hours.
Children participate in learning opportunities based on interest and developmental needs. Some choose to participate in groups where social skills are enhanced, while others opt for individual activities and develop focus and concentration.
Being outside is an exciting sensory experience for all children. The changing nature of outdoors makes it an incredibly stimulating and multi-sensory place to be. This is important as children learn and gain experience through all their senses. From developing motor skills by crawling, walking, running, and jumping to helping your child sleep better at night, outdoor play is a regular part of our daily curriculum.
Circle time is a great way for children to get a sense of community with others, to enhance their social skills, and to improve their attention span. During circle time, children listen to stories, learn who is present and absent, discuss daily schedules, talk about special happenings in their lives, find out about new materials in the classroom, and perhaps, sing songs. When children have opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas in a safe, encouraging environment, they begin to learn they are valued, capable, and important members of the group.
The benefits to healthy eating are not taken for granted in our school. Our specially trained chef is not only in charge of the menu but is also an important part of our school staff. Our chef will make sure your child has a healthy menu tailored for your child while accommodating medical needs.
Sleep is a major requirement for good health, and for young kids to get enough of it, some daytime sleep is usually needed. Crucial physical and mental development occurs in early childhood, and naps provide much-needed downtime for growth and rejuvenation. Naps also help keep children from becoming overtired, which not only takes a toll on their moods but may also make it harder for them to fall asleep at night.
Gross motor activities involve movement activities that encourage whole body development. This includes activities such as crawling, walking, baby aerobics, yoga, etc.
An afternoon nutritious snack provides a boost of energy to help the children pursue new afternoon discoveries. Along with proper nourishment, the snack time is an opportunity for the child to grow in independence as they learn to serve and clean up after themselves.
Being outside is an exciting sensory experience for all children. The changing nature of outdoors makes it an incredibly stimulating and multi-sensory place to be. This is important as children learn and gain experience through all their senses. From developing motor skills by crawling, walking, running, and jumping to helping your child sleep better at night, outdoor play is a regular part of our daily curriculum.
Children explore the classroom during center play. Classroom activities may be freely chosen, or teachers may guide children to specific activities to support growth based on teacher observation.
At the end of the day, story time provides a calming environment as children begin to go home for the day. Children are loved and reassured and items from the day are returned to order in preparation for the next big day of preschool.
The schedule is subject to change as we follow the needs of the child.
Leslie Hsu
We enrolled our then 8 month old into Excelled Montessori Plus and have been very happy with our decision. We toured multiple facilities in our area, and felt the most confident and at ease with Excelled Montessori Plus. They are very responsive (especially Steve) and always take the time to answer my plethora of questions (first time mom here). The care takers are very engaged with the children and develop great relationships with them. During this COVID period, they have been extremely flexible with our schedules and payment options, which has been very much appreciated. They empathize a lot with the current situation and what parents have to go through with work and at home schooling. We are sad our now 16 month old will not be able to continue to go here due to us moving, however we high recommend Excelled Montessori Plus!
Emily Alspector
We have had a great experience with Excelled Montessori Plus’ virtual preschool! My 2-yr old daughter loves seeing her classmates on Zoom and the educational and crafts projects are always so engaging! Wonderful, caring staff and a great value for remote learning, especially during this unprecedented time. Highly recommend!
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