ST. BRIDGET’S CONVENT

MONTESSORI HOUSE OF CHILDREN

COLOMBO 7

MONTESSORI TIME

• Montessori begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.
• Gates will close at 8.00 a.m. and will be opened at 11:30 a.m.
• Please ensure you are on time to pick your child up as the staff will not be responsible for the children after this time.
• Make sure your child is in the class by 7.45 a.m. the latest. Otherwise, you will be distracting the other children who will already be working.
• Parents are NOT permitted to meet the Aunties in the morning as this will disturb her and also the child she is working with. Therefore, please meet the Aunties only at 11.30 a.m.
• If it is necessary to take your child out of the Montessori during Montessori hours, a request has to be made to the teacher in charge or to the office.
• All Government approved holidays will be applicable to the Montessori.

ATTENDANCE

• Children should attend Montessori regularly and also be punctual as this is important for them to continue their work properly. The Montessori syllabus we follow requires progressive continuation of work.
• A written explanation is required if the child does not attend Montessori for three consecutive days
• Parents should request for leave of absence for their child in writing and with good reason.
• If the child is sick and does not attend Montessori for over a week, a Medical Certificate from an approved Practitioner should be produced to the Montessori Office.
• A child who is absent from attending Montessori for two consecutive months will be considered as if they have withdrawn the child from the Montessori.

CHAPERONES 

• Parents / Grand Parents / Chaperones will NOT be allowed to remain in the Montessori premises during Montessori hours. This hinders the child’s independence.
• The person who comes to pick the child (if not parent) should be introduced to the class teacher ahead of time.

SCHOOL FEES

• School Fees should be preferably paid at the beginning of each term. Therefore, please be prompt in your payments.

SNACK TIME

• Parents please pay attention to the quality and nourishment of the snack you send for your child. It is only a snack not breakfast.
• The child should bring ONLY pre-boiled water in the bottle and a clean cloth serviette every day.
• Please DO NOT send juices, milk, aerated drinks etc.
• New comers should not bring food that they cannot eat by themselves. (E.g. Noodles, rice, grains should not be sent. Bread, buns etc. should be cut in small pieces that they can easily eat by themselves)
• Children will learn to eat their snack by themselves during the break. They WILL NOT be fed.

READING / WRITING AND BOOKS

• In the Montessori children learn in a manner that their Absorbent Minds grasp what is taught. Therefore, using different methods will confuse them. All that is needed is for them to practice at home what is taught daily.
• The child learns to read through phonetic sounds.
• The Montessori Method introduces loose sheets of paper for the children to start writing. Therefore, they will not need books at the beginning for writing.

 TOILET TRAINING

• Children must be toilet trained on admission to Montessori. Please avoid using pampers when the child comes to school. This helps your child to enjoy school and fosters self-esteem.

 DRESS CODE

• Parents should dress appropriately when coming to the Montessori daily and especially for meetings and other functions.
• The child should dress neatly and in clean clothes daily. They should also have a full set of clean extra clothes in zip lock bag daily. (e.g. frock/ skirt/ blouse/ short/ T-shirt/ under clothing/face towel/ packet of facial tissues/ pampers/ face mask)
• The child should wear socks and shoes and NOT sandals/slippers etc.…
• The child should NOT have hair falling over eyes. If the child has long hair it should be properly tied and clipped appropriately.
• Please refrain from dressing your child with accessories such as chains, bangles, bracelets, wrist watches, belts etc. when coming to the Montessori. This disturbs them while working and also the Adult will NOT be responsible for the loss or damage of them.

PARENT / TEACHER MEETINGS

• Parent Teacher Meetings will be held according to the child’s age group once a year. It is mandatory that BOTH PARENTS be present at all parent’s meetings.
• If necessary Teachers and Principal may call for special meetings.
• Parents can meet the Teacher / Principal by appointment.

PROGRESS REPORT

• When you receive the Progress Report of your child at the end of each term, kindly see that it is signed by you and returned at the beginning of the following term.

GENERAL

• Kindly make a permanent name tag for your child with the common name and the class number.
• Use name tags/labels for all the personal belongings. (bag, bottle, box, cloths etc.)
• We will not celebrate children’s Birthdays during school hours. Therefore, please refrain from sending Birthday cake to the Montessori.
• According to the Montessori method the children between the ages of 2 and 5 years are together in class rooms because they are all given individual attention by the Adult. These children learn from one another through observation as well.