About Us
Academically Rigorous
- Implementation of curriculum and methodology based on the Montessori philosophy of education and human development
- Teaching across the curriculum, demonstrating the interconnection of all disciplines
- Integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts through enrichment and outreach programs
Engaging
- Provide an inquiry-based, hands-on environment
- Teachers promote students’ individual needs to help them achieve personal academic excellence and become life-long learners who respect themselves, others, and their environment
- Foster student-initiated inquiry, research and projects which develop understanding and appreciation of the world beyond the classroom
- Engage families in the education of their children through dialog, education in the child's development, Montessori/school practice, ongoing communication, community events, and joint planning to address evolving needs
Supportive
- Develop the individual potential of the child
- Provide individualized instruction based on observation and understanding of a student’s learning styles and abilities, preparing them to embrace challenges with confidence and creativity
- Inspire children to reach their highest levels of personal and academic achievement
WHY CMMS?
Our Philosophy – Develop the Whole Child
Over the last 30 years, Children’s Manor/Magnet preschools have developed an educational program that prepares students to excel in a global society by providing an academically rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environment that cultivates curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Based on the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, our innovative and comprehensive curriculum nurtures a child’s natural development while preparing them for a complex and technologically advanced world.
We believe that:
- Children have a natural urge to explore, discover, and learn about the world around them.
- Children learn best when they are active participants in the learning process.
- The inherent flexibility of the Montessori approach allows us to adapt to the needs of the individual child, regardless of the level of ability, learning style, or social maturity.
- The role of the teacher is to guide the child in developing physical and mental independence while fostering the “joy of learning”.
- Active parent involvement is critical to their child’s education
The foundation of Dr. Montessori’s educational theory was based on her observation that children possess innate desires to explore, discover, and learn about the world around them. She observed that children learn best within a social environment that supports personal development.
We echo Dr. Montessori’s focus on the development of the whole child and offer a program that balances social/emotional, cognitive, physical and academic development.
Qualified & Experienced Teaching Staff
High quality instruction is vital and we only hire the best teachers committed to early childhood education at our schools.
In fact, many of them have been with us for over 10 years. Unlike traditional preschools or daycares, all our lead teachers for ages 3.5 and up have Bachelor’s degrees along with their Montessori certificate and many have advanced degrees.
At Children’s Manor and Magnet Schools, teachers act as a guide to the children, allowing each child to develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and discipline through their work. Within this framework of order, the child progresses at their own pace and rhythm while discovering the joys of learning, while developing social and intellectual discipline.
Since instruction is individualized at our schools, your child’s progress is also measured on an individualized basis.
At the beginning of each school year, your child’s teacher will mark your child’s foundation in each of the five Montessori learning areas as well as in Social & Emotional Development. Your child’s progress in then monitored by your teacher throughout the year and evaluated in the Winter and Spring.
All of our schools have a dedicated Instructional Leader whose responsibilities include enhancing curriculum, providing individual coaching to teachers, and partnering with teachers to develop instructional strategies based on student needs. High quality teaching at all ages is critical and we provide thoughtful professional development to all our staff during the year.
Innovative & Comprehensive Curriculum
We aren’t a traditional daycare. On the contrary, our core curriculum consists of the five Montessori learning areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language Arts, Mathematics and Cultural (History, Geography, Science & Arts) Studies. Our proprietary M+ Curriculum differentiates us from other Montessori schools, preschools and daycares by integrating these five core Montessori learning areas with interdisciplinary learning experiences in Character Development, STEM, Geography, and Literature. A unique aspect of our academic curriculum is the incorporation of Enrichment Programs into the daily schedule including Spanish, Computer Science, Music and Yoga.
Going beyond content knowledge, our curriculum emphasizes higher order thinking, problem solving and association between different areas of study.
At our preschools, classes are organized as a miniature society in which children work and learn together in harmony while still maintaining their individuality. The role of the teacher is to assist the child in developing independence while fostering a joy of learning. In addition to the traditional “three R’s” (reading, writing, and arithmetic), children are taught the “R’s of Respect,” namely Responsibility, Reasoning, Resilience, and Resourcefulness.
Each child learns the importance of self-respect, respect for others, and respect of the environment, and respect for their work.
Our Programs
Unlike a traditional preschool or daycare, we offer a range of programs for children ranging from infant care (6 weeks of age) to elementary school in an academically rigorous yet caring and supportive environment that emphasizes the development of the whole child. Our programs are led by qualified teachers and administrators, based on research-based pedagogy and child development best practices with continuity and consistency across the age groups.
- Our Infant/Toddler program focuses on developing cognitive skills, motor skills, sensory skills, language skills, practical life skills, and social skills. The program is designed to ensure a nurturing, safe, healthy environment where children are loved.
- The Pre-Primary, Primary, and Honors/Kindergarten Programs build on our Infant/Toddler Program and incorporate the five areas of the Montessori Method (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies).
- At the Elementary Level, our programs continue to build and include Language, Mathematics, Science, and Cultural Studies.
Parent Engagement
One of the key tenets of our philosophy is parent engagement. Research shows a direct link between a child’s success and the parent/guardian’s involvement with the school. We encourage active parent and family involvement through conferences, parent evenings/events, chaperone opportunities and participation in Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).
Our proprietary learning management system, Magnet connection, helps facilitate parent engagement.
Magnet Connection is utilized by teachers to develop individualized learning plans for each child and monitor student learning outcomes, thereby engaging families in the education and development of their child.
Magnet Connection integrates and connects several aspects of the school program including Parent Sign/Out, Record Keeping & Lesson Planning, Daily Child Reports and a Communication portal.
Since 1993
With a 30 year old track record, our daycare programs have consistently produced high academic and social success for our children. Results of testing show our Kindergarten students to be one to three years ahead in reading and mathematics as compared to their public school counterparts. This sets us apart from a traditional daycare. Parent satisfaction scores are high as evidenced by the number of siblings and referrals we receive in our community of schools. We currently operate ten schools across Maryland, educating over 1000 students annually.
FUN FACT: Montessori education has been linked to some of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, including Google founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. In fact, in 2018 Jeff Bezos committed to expanding Montessori education by creating a national network of schools.
WHY CMMS?
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy – Develop the Whole Child
Since 1993, Children’s Manor/Magnet preschools have developed an educational program that prepares students to excel in a global society by providing an academically rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environment that cultivates curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Based on the educational philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, our innovative and comprehensive curriculum nurtures a child’s natural development while preparing them for a complex and technologically advanced world.
We believe that:
- Children have a natural urge to explore, discover, and learn about the world around them.
- Children learn best when they are active participants in the learning process.
- The inherent flexibility of the Montessori approach allows us to adapt to the needs of the individual child, regardless of the level of ability, learning style, or social maturity.
- The role of the teacher is to guide the child in developing physical and mental independence while fostering the “joy of learning”.
- Active parent involvement is critical to their child’s education
The foundation of Dr. Montessori’s educational theory was based on her observation that children possess innate desires to explore, discover, and learn about the world around them. She observed that children learn best within a social environment that supports personal development.
We echo Dr. Montessori’s focus on the development of the whole child and offer a program that balances social/emotional, cognitive, physical and academic development.
Our Teaching Staff
Qualified & Experienced Teaching Staff
High quality instruction is vital and we only hire the best teachers committed to early childhood education at our schools.
In fact, many of them have been with us for over 10 years. Unlike traditional preschools or daycares, all our lead teachers for ages 3.5 and up have Bachelor’s degrees along with their Montessori certificate and many have advanced degrees.
At Children’s Manor and Magnet Schools, teachers act as a guide to the children, allowing each child to develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and discipline through their work. Within this framework of order, the child progresses at their own pace and rhythm while discovering the joys of learning, while developing social and intellectual discipline.
Since instruction is individualized at our schools, your child’s progress is also measured on an individualized basis.
At the beginning of each school year, your child’s teacher will mark your child’s foundation in each of the five Montessori learning areas as well as in Social & Emotional Development. Your child’s progress in then monitored by your teacher throughout the year and evaluated in the Winter and Spring.
All of our schools have a dedicated Instructional Leader whose responsibilities include enhancing curriculum, providing individual coaching to teachers, and partnering with teachers to develop instructional strategies based on student needs. High quality teaching at all ages is critical and we provide thoughtful professional development to all our staff during the year.
Our Curriculum
Innovative & Comprehensive Curriculum
We aren’t a traditional daycare. On the contrary, our core curriculum consists of the five Montessori learning areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language Arts, Mathematics and Cultural (History, Geography, Science & Arts) Studies. Our proprietary M+ Curriculum differentiates us from other Montessori schools, preschools and daycares by integrating these five core Montessori learning areas with interdisciplinary learning experiences in Character Development, STEM, Geography, and Literature. A unique aspect of our academic curriculum is the incorporation of Enrichment Programs into the daily schedule including Spanish, Computer Science, Music and Yoga.
Going beyond content knowledge, our curriculum emphasizes higher order thinking, problem solving and association between different areas of study.
At our preschools, classes are organized as a miniature society in which children work and learn together in harmony while still maintaining their individuality. The role of the teacher is to assist the child in developing independence while fostering a joy of learning. In addition to the traditional “three R’s” (reading, writing, and arithmetic), children are taught the “R’s of Respect,” namely Responsibility, Reasoning, Resilience, and Resourcefulness.
Each child learns the importance of self-respect, respect for others, and respect of the environment, and respect for their work.
Our Programs
Our Programs
Unlike a traditional preschool or daycare, we offer a range of programs for children ranging from infant care (6 weeks of age) to elementary school in an academically rigorous yet caring and supportive environment that emphasizes the development of the whole child. Our programs are led by qualified teachers and administrators, based on research-based pedagogy and child development best practices with continuity and consistency across the age groups.
- Our Infant/Toddler program focuses on developing cognitive skills, motor skills, sensory skills, language skills, practical life skills, and social skills. The program is designed to ensure a nurturing, safe, healthy environment where children are loved.
- The Pre-Primary, Primary, and Honors/Kindergarten Programs build on our Infant/Toddler Program and incorporate the five areas of the Montessori Method (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies).
- At the Elementary Level, our programs continue to build and include Language, Mathematics, Science, and Cultural Studies.
Parent Engagement
Parent Engagement
One of the key tenets of our philosophy is parent engagement. Research shows a direct link between a child’s success and the parent/guardian’s involvement with the school. We encourage active parent and family involvement through conferences, parent evenings/events, chaperone opportunities and participation in Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).
Our proprietary learning management system, Magnet connection, helps facilitate parent engagement.
Magnet Connection is utilized by teachers to develop individualized learning plans for each child and monitor student learning outcomes, thereby engaging families in the education and development of their child.
Magnet Connection integrates and connects several aspects of the school program including Parent Sign/Out, Record Keeping & Lesson Planning, Daily Child Reports and a Communication portal.
Our Experience
Since 1993
With a 28 year old track record, our daycare programs have consistently produced high academic and social success for our children. Results of testing show our Kindergarten students to be one to three years ahead in reading and mathematics as compared to their public school counterparts. This sets us apart from a traditional daycare. Parent satisfaction scores are high as evidenced by the number of siblings and referrals we receive in our community of schools. We currently operate nine schools across Maryland, educating over 1000 students annually.
FUN FACT: Montessori education has been linked to some of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, including Google founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. In fact, in 2018 Jeff Bezos committed to expanding Montessori education by creating a national network of schools.
CMMS vs Traditional Daycare
Approach to Developing Your Child
Children's Manor / Children's Magnet
Traditional Daycare/Childcare
Teachers act as guides to students on a one-on-one basis. They assist each child along his or her own learning path, allowing the child to self-discover.
Teachers act as guides to students on a one-on-one basis. They assist each child along his or her own learning path, allowing the child to self-discover.
Teachers act as guides to students on a one-on-one basis. They assist each child along his or her own learning path, allowing the child to self-discover.
Teacher is center of the classroom as ‘controller’
Flexible, mixed age grouping (after 2 years) determined by the child's developmental range.
Flexible, mixed age grouping (after 2 years) determined by the child's developmental range.
Flexible, mixed age grouping (after 2 years) determined by the child's developmental range.
Same age grouping
Child has freedom of choice in selecting work and the child's own work pace is honored and encouraged in a balance.
Child has freedom of choice in selecting work and the child's own work pace is honored and encouraged in a balance.
Child has freedom of choice in selecting work and the child's own work pace is honored and encouraged in a balance.
Teacher chooses work and time
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and develops internal self-esteem.
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and develops internal self-esteem.
Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and develops internal self-esteem.
Emphasis on external rewards
Balanced emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and academic development.
Balanced emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and academic development.
Balanced emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and academic development.
Emphasis on social development
Practical Life curriculum integrates care of self, others and the environment.
Practical Life curriculum integrates care of self, others and the environment.
Practical Life curriculum integrates care of self, others and the environment.
Little emphasis on self-care
Multi-sensory materials in a prepared environment that is child-centered.
Multi-sensory materials in a prepared environment that is child-centered.
Multi-sensory materials in a prepared environment that is child-centered.
Few sensory materials
Curriculum that integrates the five core Montessori learning area with interdisciplinary learning in Character Development, STEM, Geography, and Literature & Arts.
Curriculum that integrates the five core Montessori learning area with interdisciplinary learning in Character Development, STEM, Geography, and Literature & Arts.
Curriculum that integrates the five core Montessori learning area with interdisciplinary learning in Character Development, STEM, Geography, and Literature & Arts.
CMMS vs Traditional Daycare
