Young Children’s Community
Toddler 15 months-3 years
The Young Children’s Community (YCC) is a Montessori environment dedicated to nurturing children under the age of three in a loving and gentle atmosphere.
It is at this young age that children develop the core of their personalities, as well as language, motor skills, social skills and values.
The YCC embraces each young child’s natural curiosity of the world to foster and encourage an inner drive for independence as they progress along this development.
Who is YCC for?
The YCC serves children ages 15 months to 3 years in a lovely indoor/outdoor classroom environment thoughtfully prepared for young children with furnishings appropriate for their size and learning materials that are accessible, attractive, and safe.
When is YCC?
The YCC is Monday through Friday. Partial week enrollment is not offered. The program includes morning work cycle, community snack, outdoor time, community lunch, and afternoon nap in the environment.
Our curriculum recognizes that young children learn by doing, and YCC children are encouraged to work within the environment independently.
Over the course of the program, children are offered a continuum of lessons and activities that meet their needs for variety and challenge them as they grow and learn. During their time in the YCC, children will develop their language, speech, and fine- and gross-motor skills. They will learn and practice positive socialization. And they will develop and practice control over their bodies as they are encouraged to dress, eat, and use the toilet independently.
Upon completion of the YCC program, at around 3 years of age, and at the discretion of the Guide, children move up to our Primary Children’s House program.
How to Get Started
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Inquire
Get the conversation started by filling out our contact form. We’re excited to speak with you!
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Schedule a Tour
After you inquire, the next step is to schedule a tour of the school, which is needed before applying.
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Enroll Your Child
Parents come to a scheduled observation, paperwork is completed, and then you’re set!
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School Starts
Happy first day of school! We can’t wait to have your child at Woodland Montessori School!
Common Questions, Answered
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A child must be between 15 months and 24 months old to begin their YCC enrollment. The ideal age to start in the YCC is around 15 months, after a child has been walking for a little while. The program does not serve children under 15 months old.
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Children at Woodland bring their own lunch from home! Snacks served in the YCC are prepared in the environment and meets the nutritional needs of the children. These snacks are covered by the snack fee due monthly. Any food allergies in the community are accounted for in the preparation of snacks.
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We ask that bottles and pacifiers, if you use them, please stay at home. Part of the work children do in the YCC is learn to eat and drink independently, use plates, flatware, and drinking cups. And because language development is a crucial part of the work these young children do each day, pacifiers should be left at home.
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One of the things each YCC child works on while they are here is toilet independence. We understand that when your child starts in the YCC they will be wearing diapers or pull-ups. Your child will be working on understanding the sensation of needing to use the restroom. We encourage each child to wear underwear in the environment to fully grasp that concept.
The YCC has underwear that children wear as they learn to toilet independently. Each child will have several changes of clothing kept here to use as they gradually learn to use the toilet independently.