Choosing childcare, preschool, or kindergarten often comes with a long list of questions. Parents want to understand how their child will spend the day, what they will learn, how Montessori differs from traditional education, and what to expect when it is time to enroll.
We’ve answered some of the most common questions families ask about Alpine Montessori, our programs, and Montessori education below. For a closer look at our educational philosophy, you can also explore the Montessori Method and our Montessori curriculum.
About Alpine Montessori
Alpine Montessori provides early childhood programs beginning with infant care and continuing through preschool and kindergarten. Program placement is based on a child’s age and developmental stage.
Families can learn more about available options through our Sparta School and Oak Ridge School.
Alpine Montessori has two locations in New Jersey. Our Sparta campus is located at 57 Main Street in Sparta, NJ, and our Oak Ridge campus is located at 5676 Berkshire Valley Road in Oak Ridge, NJ.
Both schools provide Montessori-based early childhood education in supportive learning environments.
Alpine Montessori provides several stages of early childhood education, including infant care, daycare, preschool, kindergarten, and before and after care.
Rather than separating childcare from learning, our programs use Montessori principles to create developmentally appropriate experiences throughout a child’s day.
Our full-day program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Half-day morning sessions run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and afternoon sessions run from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Before care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., and after care is available from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for an additional fee.
Yes. Before and after care is available to help families who need care outside regular classroom hours. Before care begins at 6:30 a.m., while after care is available until 6:00 p.m.
Understanding Montessori Education
The Montessori Method is a child-centered educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. It emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, purposeful activity, and allowing children to develop skills at an appropriate pace.
Teachers guide children toward meaningful learning experiences rather than relying exclusively on whole-class instruction.
Learn more about the principles behind our approach on our Montessori Method page.
Traditional preschool classrooms may rely more heavily on teacher-directed group instruction and activities completed on a common schedule.
Montessori classrooms give children opportunities to select purposeful activities, work independently, use hands-on materials, and progress based on their development and readiness. Teachers still provide structure, lessons, expectations, and guidance.
No. Montessori gives children meaningful choices within a carefully prepared and structured environment.
Classroom materials have educational purposes, teachers introduce children to appropriate activities, and expectations help children learn to use materials respectfully, complete their work, and care for their environment.
You can see how this works in practice by learning more about the Montessori classroom.
Children develop skills across areas including language, mathematics, practical life, sensorial learning, science, geography, art, and social development.
Hands-on materials help children move from concrete experiences toward increasingly complex concepts. Explore our Montessori curriculum for a closer look at what children experience in the classroom.
Montessori teachers act as educators, observers, and guides. They introduce appropriate materials and lessons, observe each child’s progress, and help children move toward increasingly challenging work as they become ready.
The goal is to provide guidance without removing opportunities for children to think, explore, solve problems, and develop independence.
Mixed-age environments allow children at different developmental stages to learn within the same classroom community.
Younger children can observe more experienced classmates, while older children have opportunities to reinforce skills, demonstrate responsibility, and serve as positive examples.
Children have different personalities, interests, strengths, and learning preferences. Montessori can appeal to families who value hands-on learning, independence, individual progress, and a classroom environment that encourages children to take an active role in learning.
Visiting a classroom is one of the best ways to determine whether the approach feels right for your child. Families can schedule a tour to experience Alpine Montessori in person.
Infant Care and Early Childhood Programs
Yes. Alpine Montessori provides Montessori-based infant care designed to support babies during a period of rapid physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Our infant environments emphasize responsive caregiving, safe movement, sensory exploration, and respect for each child’s individual rhythm.
Learn more about Montessori infant care.
Alpine Montessori’s infant program welcomes babies beginning at 6 weeks old. Children can remain in the infant environment through approximately 18 months before transitioning based on their developmental stage and program placement.
Montessori infant care combines nurturing caregiving with an environment specifically designed to encourage early exploration and development.
Babies are provided safe opportunities to move, observe, interact, and explore rather than being expected to follow a classroom-style academic routine.
Montessori infant care places particular emphasis on freedom of movement, individualized routines, responsive caregiving, sensory exploration, and carefully prepared environments.
The objective is not to accelerate development. It is to provide babies with appropriate opportunities to develop naturally while feeling safe and supported.
Infant care is responsive to each baby’s individual needs. Feeding, sleeping, movement, and play are approached with the child’s natural rhythm in mind rather than requiring every infant to follow exactly the same schedule.
Preschool and Kindergarten
Montessori preschool is an early childhood education approach that combines hands-on academic learning with practical life experiences, social development, independence, and exploration.
Children work with carefully selected materials while teachers provide lessons and individualized guidance.
Montessori education supports many skills children use in kindergarten, including early literacy, mathematics, concentration, communication, independence, fine motor development, problem-solving, and participation in a classroom community.
Parents preparing for this transition can explore our Kindergarten Readiness Guide for a broader look at school readiness.
Yes. Alpine Montessori provides kindergarten education that continues the Montessori approach while strengthening academic foundations and independence.
Children continue developing skills in mathematics, language, writing, practical life, and other areas while preparing for future stages of education.
No. Children enter kindergarten at different stages of literacy development.
Early familiarity with books, language, letters, sounds, conversation, and writing can provide a strong foundation, but children do not need to be independent readers before beginning kindergarten.
Independence is developed through everyday experiences.
Children learn to choose appropriate work, care for classroom materials, complete tasks, solve age-appropriate problems, manage belongings, and participate in practical activities. Teachers provide support while allowing children opportunities to do things for themselves as their abilities develop.
Tuition and Enrollment
Tuition depends on factors such as your child’s age, selected program, schedule, and before or after care needs.
For more information about the factors that influence pricing and enrollment, visit our Tuition & Enrollment Guide or contact Alpine Montessori for current information.
Yes. Alpine Montessori offers both full-day and half-day options.
The regular full-day schedule is 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Morning and afternoon half-day sessions are also available, along with extended before and after care.
Families often begin exploring schools several months before their preferred start date, particularly when planning for infant care, fall preschool enrollment, or kindergarten.
Availability can vary by classroom and program, so beginning the process early gives families more time to tour the school, explore options, and complete enrollment.
Yes. We encourage families to visit Alpine Montessori before making an enrollment decision.
A tour provides an opportunity to see the learning environment, meet our team, ask questions, and better understand how Montessori education works in practice.
You can schedule a tour of Alpine Montessori to get started.
The process typically begins by scheduling a tour and discussing your child’s age, developmental needs, desired schedule, and available programs with our team.
Once you select the appropriate program, Alpine Montessori will guide you through the required enrollment paperwork and next steps.
Our Tuition & Enrollment Guide provides additional information for families planning their child’s enrollment.
Choosing Alpine Montessori
Start by considering the type of environment in which your child is most comfortable learning and growing.
Families who value hands-on learning, independence, individualized progress, purposeful activities, and respectful teacher guidance may find Montessori particularly appealing.
The best way to evaluate fit is to see the environment yourself. Visit our Sparta School or Oak Ridge School pages, then schedule a tour of the location that works best for your family.
Parents should consider the classroom environment, teacher experience, curriculum, communication, daily schedule, program options, opportunities for movement and outdoor play, and how closely the school’s practices align with Montessori principles.
During a tour, pay attention to how children use the classroom, how educators interact with students, and whether the environment feels calm, purposeful, welcoming, and appropriate for your child’s needs.
To get started with Alpine Montessori, the easiest next step is to visit the school.
A tour gives you the opportunity to explore our classrooms, meet our educators, discuss your child’s needs, and ask questions about tuition, scheduling, availability, and enrollment.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a tour or contact Alpine Montessori to speak with our team.
