Renaissance Montessori Academy requires all children over the age of three to be toilet trained before progressing to the preschool classroom. The preschool classroom is designed as a preparation for school room that encourages all aspects of children’s independence, including independent toileting. As such, there are no nappy-changing facilities connected to the preschool classroom. For children to successfully transition to the preschool environment, it is essential that they are toilet trained.

Renaissance Montessori Academy requires children who are over the age of two to attend a minimum of three days per week to ensure that they receive the greatest benefit from the Montessori Education Program. Each child’s enrolment schedule should also include either a Monday or Friday. All other arrangements are subject to Management review. Why is there a three day minimum? Children need a minimum of three days to consistently progress through the Montessori Curriculum. This time allows children to make connections, discover learning outcomes, and master the progression of the Montessori materials. Three day attendance provides children with familiarity and routine. This structure allows them to feel secure and settled in their learning environment. Children’s emotional stability is directly linked to their ability to learn at an optimal rate. Children gravitate towards other children who attend on the same enrolment schedule. This provides opportunities for social relationships to flourish. Three day attendance allows for children’s interest projects to be extended upon throughout the week or even months. This allows for more in-depth and meaningful learning to take place.

If you’re interested in enrolling, we encourage you to book a tour with RMA. Families are welcome and encouraged to visit, During your tour you will have the opportunity to meet the Center Manager, learn more about Montessori education, and ask any questions you may have about the program or facilities. We encourage families to get a good feel for what we do so they understand what’s so special about our educational approach and teaching approach. If you are interested in starting, the Center Manager will provide you with an Enrolment Kit or Waiting List depending on your expected start date and center vacancies.

Yes, we are open the whole year through excluding weekends and statutory holidays.

To enquire about fees, place an enquiry. You will receive the fee information in your emails.

Our hours of Operation is 7AM-5:30PM

Yes, we run a year-round program and also offer summer programs during the months of July and August for school-aged children. Anyone can participate in our summer programming and your child does not need to be a current student to register. Contact your chosen centre directly to get pricing and details.

Nutrition is one of the cornerstone values of what Renaissance Montessori Academy promotes for our children and their families. Please keep in mind we are a NUT FREE school, this includes tree nuts. Each day we asked that two snacks, a lunch and only water be packed for your child. Only healthy options of fruit or vegetables must be packed for snack. For lunch we ask that parents pack a nutritious lunch that meets all food groups for your child. Our center may not be equipped to have the full meal program, however, will provide a healthy breakfast, and we offer specials meal days once a month for your child.

Bring your child to your initial center tour and observe how they interact with the environment, children, and educators Talk positively about the exciting things they will experience, play with, and learn at Montessori Academy Involve your child in choosing, organizing, and labelling the items they will take with them to childcare Talk about their new routine and what to expect in the lead up to starting childcare Attend the orientation session with your child to help them settle into their new environment Talk about the emotions they may experience and how they can help manage their feelings Read stories about starting school

Attending an orientation session is an important part of making a successful transition to a the center. Orientations provide families with an opportunity to support their child during their initial introduction to the Montessori environment. Sessions typically run for 1-2 hours and provide new children with an introduction to the center's facilities, the daily routine, the Montessori learning environment, their classmates, and their educators. The purpose of the orientation session is to help children transition to their new learning environment and support their sense of belonging to a nurturing Montessori learning community.

Toddlers and Preschoolers Aged 2-6 years Water bottle labelled with your child’s full name Sun-safe hat labelled with your child’s full name Two sets of spare clothes labelled with your child’s full name Healthy lunch in a labelled lunchbox and two snacks for the morning and afternoon Backpack labelled with your child’s full name Cot-sized bed sheets and a blanket stored in a calico bag labelled with your child full name (supplied weekly) 3-4 nappies per day, wipes, and nappy rash cream Comforter if your child needs one Toddlers Aged 19months-2 years Water bottle labelled with your child’s full name Backpack labelled with your child’s full name Sun-safe hat labelled with your child’s full name A spare set of clothes labelled with your child’s full name Bed sheets and blanket labelled with your child’s full name (supplied weekly) Re-usable fabric bag (to store your child’s sheets) labelled with your child’s full name A healthy lunch in a labelled lunchbox, and two snacks for the morning and afternoon. Bottles and formula or expressed breastmilk labelled with your child’s name (if your child needs) 3-4 nappies per day, wipes, and nappy rash cream Comforter or dummy if your child needs one

Families are welcome to call the center to check in on their child at any time throughout the day. Our team will always provide you with open and honest feedback about how your child is settling in. If your child is unsettled, rest assured that an educator will contact you, and advise you if you need to pick them up. Families also receive regular photo updates via our family communication app. These updates show what activities your child is engaging in as well as their eating, sleeping, and toileting schedule.

We recommend families arrive between the times 7AM-8AM. We offer a breakfast time for all children until 8:15AM, after this time the breakfast will be cleaned up and the Lead will get the classroom ready for the morning circle at 8:30AM.

Families are provided with login details to our family communication app on their child’s first day. The app is regularly updated with photos and information about the activities your child is engaging in, their daily routine for eating, sleeping and toileting, and general updates about the center.

We recommend that families arrive before 8:30am so your child can settle in and ensure they make the most of the Montessori Work cycle. When you arrive a teacher from your child's room will greet you and help support you in settling your child into their new environment.

Saying goodbye on the first day can be an anxious time for children and parents. We recommend that you say goodbye at the door with a kiss, cuddle, and a smile on your face as you walk out the door. Remind your child that they will have a great day and that you will be back later to pick them up. It’s important your child knows that you feel comfortable and positive about their new environment. We recommend that families don’t linger, and that if you choose to stay a while, that you remain out of sight as this can be confusing and prolong separation anxiety. It can also cause other children to become unsettled which disrupts the peace and harmony of the Montessori classroom. Please talk to Management if you need any support. We want all families and children to feel welcomed and supported so that they make a smooth transition to their Montessori early learning community

We recommend that families pick up a little earlier during their child’s first week to help ease them into their new routine. Earlier pick up isn’t compulsory; however, many families have provided feedback that this was helpful for them. For example, you may have your child attend from 8 am – 1 pm on their first day, then 8 am – 2 pm on their second day, and an hour longer each day. A gradual transition allows children to progressively increase the amount of time they spend at childcare each day in preparation for their new routine. However, our center is open to all families between 7AM-5:30AM.

Our Program is approved for families to participate in Provincially based subsidy programs. Search www.Alberta.ca Click on "How to Apply for Subsidy" Choose how you would like to apply for subsidy: apply on-line or download the application form and mail it in: Child Care Subsidy PO Box 1641, Station M Edmonton, AB T5J 2N9 Fax 780-422-5692 css.childsubsidy@gov.ab.ca For more information call toll free: 1-877-644-9992 Please note that subsidy approval is a parent/guardian responsibility and is to be applied for prior to commencing at the Program. Subsidy approval must be provided to the Program upon your child’s enrollment. Parents are required to pay any fees not covered by the Governments Subsidy Program on the 1st of the month. If the request for subsidy is denied, parents/guardians are responsible for paying the full cost of childcare fees prior to going forward. Parents/guardians are responsible for renewing their subsidy within 30 days of receiving their notice from the Government and providing this information to the Program. Failure to do so will result in responsibility of paying all childcare fees not covered while subsidy is expired.