Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you serve?
We are licensed to serve children 33 months through six years of age. We offer both preschool and kindergarten programming. Children must toilet independently before beginning school at Monarch.
What are the class sizes?
Though we are licensed for 20 children, we limit our enrollment to 16 children. (We occasionally go above 16 in order to maintain full enrollment throughout the year.) We feel strongly that this enables us to serve the individual needs of all of the children while providing enough friendship opportunities.
The required child-adult ratio in the state of Minnesota is 10:1; however, we typically have a maximum child-adult ratio of 8:1.
What are the school’s hours of operation?
We are open Monday through Friday. We offer a full-day and half-day option. Full day runs 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and half-day runs 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Extended day programming is available on a monthly or as-needed basis. Extended day runs until 5:00 p.m.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer partial weeks.
What is the school calendar?
We are a year-round school with breaks for holidays, conferences, classroom refurbishment, and staff training. A copy of our school calendar is available upon request.
What are the tuition rates?
In order to make our programming accessible to families of all incomes, we employ a sliding scale tuition model. Tuition rates are determined by household size, household income, and availability of funds. We also accept Think Small Early Learning Scholarships and CCAP. Please contact Julia at julia@monarchmn.org or 651-252-1427 to determine what you family's tuition rates would be.
For families that do not qualify for tuition assistance, our tuition rates for the 2023/2024 school year are as follows. Tuition is billed monthly, and it can be paid electronically or by check:
Half-day = $780/month ($181.40/week)
Full-day = $1,248/month ($290.23/week)
Extended day = $156/month
Our tuition rates for the 2024/2025 school year are as follows:
Half-day = $795/month ($184.88/week)
Full-day = $1,260/month ($293.02/week)
Extended day = $160/month
We offer a 10% sibling discount.
What is Montessori?
Dr. Maria Montessori developed her namesake philosophy and pedagogy, or style of teaching. The Montessori Children’s House responds to the specific developmental needs of children ages three through six with individualized lessons, purposeful work, and hands-on learning materials. The variety of ages in one classroom results in children helping and learning from each other. A Montessori environment offers a place for every personality to belong and thrive.
What makes Monarch different than other Montessori schools?
The educators at Monarch value open-ended creative play, which is not always prioritized or even allowed in Montessori settings. Dr. Montessori observed that adults must present children with reality. Therefore, we are careful to not initiate "play-pretend" games. That said, research demonstrates the vast benefits of child-directed open-ended play. In our classroom, we incorporate non-Montessori materials such as wooden blocks, trains, vehicles, magnet tiles, baby dolls and accessories, and loose parts. We frequently overhear the children "play processing," or applying their new learning through play. Our educators guide the children to make productive and balanced choices, ensuring that they have a comprehensive "menu" of activities in a given day.
How much outside time does the program offer?
We strive to spend a great deal of time outside (weather permitting). We are outside for a minimum of two hours daily during the summer and a minimum of 1.5 hours daily during the winter. If the temperature is below zero degrees Fahrenheit (including wind-chill), we are unable to play outside as per DHS regulations.
What is a typical day like?
Late Fall/Winter Schedule
8:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Arrival
8:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Montessori Work Cycle
A Montessori Work Cycle consists of children choosing and completing works as the adults give individual and small group presentations. Children are able to eat snack at any point during the Work Cycle. The Work Cycle will often culminate with a whole-group read-aloud, songs, and community-building circle.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Outdoor Play
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Half Day Pick-Up and Lunch
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Nap for children who nap / Afternoon Montessori Work Cycle for children who no longer nap
3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Outdoor Play / Full Day Pick-Up
3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Aftercare
How do you address dysregulated behavior?
We focus on prevention over reaction by integrating social-emotional curriculum. We teach children how to share, take turns, solve problems, apologize, receive an apology, identify and cope with strong emotions, and recognize the emotions of others. We use tools such as the Peace Chair, Zones of Regulation, and Positive Discipline framework. If dysregulated behavior does occur, we handle it privately, calmly, and respectfully. Our educators communicate with families regularly about any challenges their children experience at school in order to hear what works well from those who know them best. Children are people, and, like all humans, they will make mistakes. We offer compassion and understanding while equipping them to address the mistake productively and build skills going forward.
What kinds of snacks do you serve?
Families provide lunches, and we provide a morning and afternoon snack every day. Water is available at all times, and we serve 1% milk with lunch. You can find a sample menu here.
What are the qualifications of your staff?
Our staff is truly phenomenal! Currently, all are teacher qualified. We value continuity of care, knowing that children need consistent adults rather than a rotating roster. You can learn more about our team's education and experience here.
