FAQs
Why Fairy Slipper?
You may already know this, but the Fairy slipper (or Calypso orchid) is a delicate and dimunitive pinkish-purple wildflower - one of many wild orchids native to Washington state. There was also a small pink wildflower that grew in the woods outside our house in Alaska when I was little that we used to call fairy slippers.
I decided on the name because it felt a little bit playful and magical. Montessori classrooms don't always have that reputation and I wanted to be sure that our program does.
Explain more about the classes.
Because we are a new program and are filling our classes with all new students - anything is possible right now:) We will fill classes based on community interest. Meaning that, theoretically, all of our classes and students could end up being
2 ½ - 3 year olds. Or they could all be 3 - 5 year olds. Or it could be 50/50.
If most families enroll their children for 5 mornings (or afternoons) per week, then we won't have many 2 or 3-day spots available. And vice versa.
Every option is available right now and it is first come, first serve. Once we have at least five children sign up (submiting an interest form and application) for a specific schedule, we can begin that class.
We also have some flexibility right now with length of classes. The plan is to have 2 ½ hour classes, but if a majority of families prefer their class schedule to be 3 or 3 ½ hours long - that's a possibility.
This is the kind of feedback you can give on your Interest Form. It won't always be this flexible!
Do 2 ½ to 3-year-olds have their own class?
This question relates to the previous explanation about classes. Yes, there will likely be one or more classes specific to our younger group of children, ranging in age from 2 ½ - 3 ½ years. Which class days and times these are depend on initial enrollment.
It doesn't mean that a 2 ½-year-old can't be in a class with 3 to 5-year-olds; Montessori early childhood classrooms often span an age range of 2 ½ years - Kindergarten!
However, from my own experience working with toddler and 2 to 3-year-old classrooms, there is something to be said for both the joy and practicality of having a class specific to 2 ½ to 3-year-olds. My hope is to offer these classes. That said, a toilet independent child between the ages of 30 months and 3 years has the option to enroll in any class schedule.
Are children who still need toileting support all in one class?
No.
A child between the ages of 2 ½ to 3 who is not yet toilet independent - will most likely be enrolled in a 2 ½ to 3+ specific class, on a 2 or 3-day scheule, with a parent or caregiver in attendance.
A child between the ages of 3 and 3 ½ who is not yet toilet independent - may enroll in any 2 or 3-day schedule with a parent or caregiver in attendance.
Children ages 3 ½ - 5 should be completely toilet independent prior to enrollment.
Can class schedules be combined? Is there a discount for that?
A child cannot be enrolled in consecutive morning and afternoon classes, such as Monday morning and afternoon.
You can enroll your child for Tues/Thurs mornings and Mon/Wed/Fri afternoon classes, for example, and the tuition for a Mon-Fri schedule would be $700.
Or if you enroll for a 2 or 3-day weekday schedule and want to add on a weekend class, that is also an option. And yes - there would be a weekend price discount for that.
What is the teacher to child ratio and what is the class size?
The teacher to child ratio will be 1:7 and class size will not go over 14 students. There should also always be one parent or caregiver supporting in the classroom.
Classes will likely start a good deal smaller than this, with an even lower teacher to child ratio - which is a wonderful way to get children settled into a new space and community.
What are the requirements for family involvement? Is this a family cooperative?
No, this is not a family cooperative. However each family is strongly encouraged to attend class with their child at least one time per month, or more, depending on their class schedule. For instance, if a child attends Mon-Fri, we encourage a parent/guardian to attend twice a month.
The reason for this is to bridge the gap between home and the classroom, to get to observe your child in the classroom environment, and to support our classroom community.
(Any adults assisting in the classroom will first pass a background check and will not be alone with children.)
What is a Montessori work cycle?
The Montessori work cycle is a long block of uninterrupted and self-directed time in the classroom, where children can independently choose activities and work with them for as long as they wish, supporting autonomy and often leading to deep concentration.
The essence of a Montessori early childhood classroom is the foundation of our classes at Fairy Slipper Montessori.
Where do all of the photos come from?
I've been a Montessori guide for about 12 years now and worked in early childhood for even longer. These are all photos I've taken over the years of my students and classrooms. I've stayed in touch with many of my past families and am lucky that they've been generous in allowing me to use these photos for the website and Instagram!
Still have questions?
Contact Kelly! Bee@fairyslippermontessori.com