We offer an all year round program that is designed to meet each child's individual needs.

Ages
Preschool: 2 1/2 - 5 years

Hours
Day Care for Enrolled Preschoolers:
Monday through Friday 7:00a.m. to 5:45p.m.

Montessori Preschool:
Monday through Friday
9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.

Part-time Montessori Preschool (3 days a week):
Monday, Tuesday Wednesday
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.

A nutritious breakfast, and morning and afternoon snack are included in tuition. Parents supply a lunch each day for their child. Milk, juice, and water are provided by Blue Skies Montessori Preschool.

Back to the Top

MISSION STATEMENT

Families are our first priority. We are committed to both the child and parent(s) and will work to foster a relationship that considers the family as a whole. Each family is treated with respect, regardless of their religion, socioeconomic status, family lifestyle, abilities, race, or culture. Children will be well cared for in a safe environment that is developmentally appropriate and designed to meet their individual needs. Opportunities for the children to experiment and explore the world around them are provided.

HISTORY OF BLUE SKIES MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL

Vanita Rodde, owner of Blue Skies Montessori Preschool always dreamed of having her own school. After years of preparation and hard work, Vanita began searching for opportunities that would allow her to accomplish her dream. In 1997, a colleague of Vanita's told her of an opportunity to lease a building in West Seattle previously licensed as a childcare center. After visiting the building, seeing its potential, and bringing it up to licensing standards, Vanita had her first open house in August 1997, with the doors opening officially on September 5, 1997.

Back to the Top

BLUE SKIES MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY

Blue Skies Montessori Preschool uses a contemporary approach to the Montessori Method of Education combined with the Developmental Theory and High/Scope and believes that children have the ability to teach themselves by constructing knowledge from the environment we provide. The teacher in a Montessori classroom acts as a facilitator or guide preparing the environment so that children can learn on their own, and at their own pace.

We believe in providing materials the children can choose over and over enabling them to practice skills they have already learned while providing opportunities to learn new ones. Thus allowing the child to become an active participant in their own learning.

Blue Skies Montessori Preschool strongly believes in:

• Building children's self-esteem
• Fostering individual children's quest for learning
• Treating each child with dignity and respect

Back to the Top

PHILOSOPHY ON GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE

Our definition of discipline involves inner training of one's own actions. It does not mean "punishment". Discipline is based on the individual child's age, and level or stage of development. It is never harsh, abusive, or humiliating to the child. Children are treated with respect; we model appropriate behavior.

When behavior problems arise, we do not isolate the child, instead encourage them to talk with us and others involved. This problem-solving approach helps children develop social skills and become more aware of the impact of their actions on others.

At Blue Skies Montessori, logical and natural consequences will result when children do not follow the expectations of the program. The most extreme will be that the child will no longer be able to attend.

Back to the Top

SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide clean, safe classrooms, bathrooms, and play areas
• To provide qualified, caring personnel
• To maintain communication with families through newsletters, bulletin board information and conferences
• To respect each child as an individual
• To provide learning materials and projects that will expand and challenge each child's abilities
• To notify parent(s)/guardian(s) of any problems, injuries, and/or illnesses regarding their child
• To provide safe transportation and adequate supervision of all children for outings
• To recognize when a child's needs are not being met by the school, and to recommend other care solutions
• To meet and exceed all city, state, and federal requirements and regulations

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide and update accurate registration, health, and immunization records and forms as required by state regulation
• To apprise the school in writing of any health restrictions, custody disputes, or situations, which would limit or exclude a child from full participation.
• To communicate with staff and/or Director of any concerns regarding the school
• To get to know the child's caregivers and teachers by name
• To supply the school in writing of any changes in a child's scheduled attendance
• To stay within the boundaries of hours the school has set forth
• To limit a child's attendance to no more than ten (10) hours per day as required by state regulations
• To arrange for prompt pick-up and alternate care for a sick child
• To not bring a sick child to school
• To provide the school with two weeks written notice of a child's withdrawal
• To appropriately dress child for the weather and participation in class, providing a full change of clothing each day
• To pay tuition costs promptly to insure a quality program
• To treat staff with mutual respect

1. That school is a place like home, where he/she can feel cared for, protected, and secure.
2. That teachers are gentle, loving, and caring people.
3. That each child is a worthwhile and valuable group member who can use his/her body and mind with increasing ease.
4. To become a good worker and enjoy living in a group where he/she will make friends.
5. To gain understanding of the world around them and to build a foundation for good academic work in school.

EMERGENCY/DISASTER PLAN

We may need to call you. It is the responsibility of the parents to keep current phone numbers on file with BSM.

Power Outages

Our heating source is gas. In this case, BSM will remain open as long as there is daylight or without causing stress on the children. Parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their children early, and notified that we will be closing at 3:00p.m., right before dusk.

Snow Closure

Parents can call BSM as early as 6:00a.m. to hear our schedule. We will make every attempt to be open. If we are unable to open on time, we will be running an hour late (8:00a.m.) and may possibly close as early as 2:00p.m. If it begins to snow during the day, parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their children by 2:00p.m.

Earthquake

The staff will remain on the site with the children until parents can arrive safely to receive them. The staff is trained in first aid and CPR and will provide aid to those children who need it, and will do their best at making each child feel comfortable. We have a supply of bottled water, packaged food, blankets, spare clothing, and diapers.

Back to the Top