a child's place
Montessori Schools

A CHILD'S PLACE HISTORY

a child's place Montessori School was founded in 1988 by Catherine Selhorst, "Ms. Pat."  Her strong belief that early childhood is the most critical stage of development attracted her to Montessori philosophy.  Her talent, hard work and love created her gift for children, a child's place.  She felt very strongly that children be given every opportunity to learn and grow.  Ms. Pat passed away in September 1996, but her legacy lives on through the schools.

a child's place Montessori first opened in Jacksonville in a small house in 1988.  In 1992 the Southpoint location was opened due to increasing demand for a quality Montessori program.  The Southpoint location is also located in a house.  It served as a family farm house when the Southpoint business park was a dairy farm.  In 1994, as demand and waiting lists increased, the Mandarin location of a child's place opened.  The Mandarin location is housed in a more conventional school building with large open classrooms and a playground larger than some entire schools.  The additional classrooms in Mandarin often allow enrollment without prolonged waiting periods.
 

MISSION STATEMENT
a child’s place Montessori School is dedicated to the nurturing and education of young children in a peaceful and non-threatening environment which reflects an understanding of the Montessori philosophy of education and child development.

We respect and view each child as a unique personality and the most important person in our environment.

Our goal at a child’s place Montessori School is to assist young children to reach their fullest potential as healthy, creative, constructive members of a community and to joyfully cultivate a genuine desire for life-long learning.  Part of that assistance is to work closely with the parents, to respect the individual child and his or her needs, and to nurture the qualities of warmth, imagination, honesty, loyalty, grace and resilience.

a child's place believes that social, racial, religious and cultural diversity in the student body contributes greatly to the value of the school experience. It therefore does not discriminate in admission or placement on the basis of sex, race or creed.
 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
a child’s place Montessori School offers full-day and part-day Montessori programs for children from six weeks through six years of age at our Mandarin location and from 18 months through six years of age at our Southpoint Location.  All our programs are five days a week as we believe children gain confidence through being able to predict their routine.

It is our strong belief that children enrolled in a full-day program are entitled to the highest quality program.  We do not segregate our day into a Montessori period and a child-care period.  We have integrated our day into an all day Montessori program incorporating animal care, cooking, gardening and many other activities.

Our dedicated teaching staff directs learning through exploration believing that in order to develop their intellectual, social and physical skills to the fullest, children must have freedom achieved through order and self discipline. Classroom environments and teaching materials are designed to make the most of the child's natural intellect, curiosity, and love for learning.