Fall Dates Set for “Montessori Fundays” – Daycroft Montessori School’s Parent-Toddler Program

Daycroft Montessori School (www.daycroft.org) of Ann Arbor has set the dates for new series of “Montessori Fundays” – the school’s popular parent-toddler program – this fall.
The program introduces parents or caregivers and their children from age 18 months to three years to the highly personalized, child-centered learning approach at Daycroft. 
In each 90-minute Montessori Fundays session, a Daycroft teacher guides young children through introductory lessons using Montessori materials. “Parents,” says Michele Buchanan, Daycroft’s director of preprimary education, “see how learning can be fun and effective when their child, guided by our teacher, makes choices in the classroom.”
Laura Tallman, Daycroft’s Montessori Fundays teacher, adds: “This can be the child’s first step along a lifelong learning path. A child naturally loves to learn. Here at Daycroft, we appreciate children’s differences and accommodate their individual learning styles. Our materials help point children to what interests them most.”
Daycroft has held seasonal Montessori Fundays sessions since fall 2010. “The program has been very well received,” Buchanan says. “Getting an early taste of Montessori-style learning can help smooth the transition to a Montessori preschool.”
Multi-Week Series or Single Lessons – at Two Locations
Daycroft will offer Montessori Fundays lessons this fall 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’s Preprimary Campus will hold Montessori Fundays series of two lessons per week – a choice of Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Montessori Fundays in fall at My Urban Toddler will happen once per week, on Fridays. 
Each Montessori Fundays session at Daycroft Oakbrook runs from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Fundays sessions at My Urban Toddler are from 9:15 am to 10:45 am.
The first Montessori Fundays series at Daycroft Oakbrook for fall 2013 will begin the first week of September, and will consists of either 14 sessions (Mondays and Wednesdays) or 16 sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays). There will be no Fundays sessions at Daycroft Oakbrook on Monday, September 2 (Labor Day) and Monday, October 7 (in-service day for Daycroft teachers).
The second fall Fundays series at Daycroft Oakbrook will start during the week of October 28, and will consist of 15 sessions whether children attend Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be no Fundays sessions at Daycroft Oakbrook on Wednesday, November 27 and Thursday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
At My Urban Toddler, the Fall 1 series of Montessori Fundays will happen on eight Fridays (September 6, 13, 20, and 27, and October 4, 11, 18, and 25). The Fall 2 series will  include seven Fridays: November 1, 8, 15, and 22, and December 6, 13, and 20. 
Register Online or by Phone or Email – One Free Lesson
Parents may enroll their children for a multi-week Montessori Fundays series or single lessons. The cost is $20 per lesson in a multi-week series, or $22 per single lesson. Enrollment is limited to eight children per lesson. Pre-registration is required.
Parents can register online, 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 Montessori 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 Montessori Fundays lesson at the school’s Preprimary Campus. Parents who call and mention code WS2010 will get the free lesson.
Complete details on the Montessori Fundays program – including schedules, costs, and registration for fall 2013 series – can be found at www.daycroft.org/fundays.
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.