Daycroft Montessori School of Ann Arbor Schedules “Montessori Fundays” – the School’s Parent-Toddler Program – for Summer and Fall 2012

Daycroft Montessori School (www.daycroft.org) of Ann Arbor has scheduled new series of “Montessori Fundays” – the school’s popular parent-toddler program – for the summer and fall 2012 seasons.

Fundays introduce parents or caregivers and their children from age 18 months to three years to the highly personalized approach to learning at Daycroft.  A Daycroft teacher guides young children through introductory lessons using Montessori materials. 

“Parents get a real sense of our student-centered approach,” says Michele Buchanan, Daycroft’s director of preprimary education.  “They see how learning can be fun and effective when their child, guided by our teacher, makes choices in the classroom.”

This, adds Laura Tallman, Daycroft’s Fundays teacher, can be the child’s first step along a lifelong learning path.  “A child naturally loves to learn,” she says.  “In our Montessori setting, we appreciate children’s differences and accommodate their individual learning styles.  Our materials help point children to what interests them most.”

Multi-Week Series or Single Lessons – at Two Locations

Daycroft offers Montessori Fundays at two locations: the school’s Preprimary Campus at 100 Oakbrook Dr. (near Briarwood Mall) and My Urban Toddler (www.myurbantoddler.com), the popular play store and educational event site at 7325 E. Michigan Ave. (US-12) in Pittsfield Township, just east of Saline.

Daycroft will offer a limited Fundays schedule this summer.  Lessons will be held at Daycroft Oakbrook on four Tuesdays (June 19, June 26, July 10, July 17) and at My Urban Toddler on four Fridays (June 22, June 29, July 13, July 20).  Lessons are from 9:00 to 10:30 am at Daycroft Oakbrook, and 9:15 to 10:45 am at My Urban Toddler. 

Parents may enroll their child for a single lesson ($22) or a series of four lessons ($80) this summer.  Enrollment is limited to eight children per lesson.  Pre-registration is required.

In fall, Daycroft Oakbrook will hold Fundays series of two lessons per week – a choice of Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Fundays in fall at My Urban Toddler will happen once per week, on Fridays.  Early fall Fundays series will begin the week of September 5, and late fall series will start during the week of October 29.

The full schedules for summer, early fall, and late fall Fundays series can be found at www.daycroft.org/fundays.

In fall, parents will continue have the option of enrolling their children for multi-week series or single lessons.  The cost will be $20 per lesson in a multi-week series, or $22 per single lesson. 

The times of fall Fundays lessons at both locations will be the same as in summer, and the limit of eight students per lesson will also hold.  Pre-registration will be required. 

Parents can register online for multi-week Fundays series or single lessons, for either location, at www.daycroft.org/fundays.  Alternatively, parents may call Daycroft at (734) 930-0333, or email the school at fundays@daycroft.org, to register directly. 

Another option: Registration for Fundays at My Urban Toddler can happen by calling the store at (734) 944-3628 or emailing them at info@myurbantoddler.com.

Daycroft offers one free lesson at either location.  Parents who call and mention code WS2010 will get the free lesson.

About Daycroft Montessori School

Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive education.  This helps Daycroft accomplish its mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their potential.

Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County’s leading private schools.  It began as a preschool program in 1968.  Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.

Daycroft has earned accreditation from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org).  It is a member of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools (AIMS; www.aims-mi.org), the American Montessori Society (AMS; www.amshq.org), and the North American Montessori Teachers’ Association (NAMTA; www.montessori-namta.org).

Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.  Phone: (734) 930-0333.

Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft’s administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.  Phone: (734) 662-3335.