No, neither parents nor children need to speak or understand French before starting at Trillium Bilingual Montessori. Our bilingual environment is designed to help children naturally acquire French language skills through daily interaction and structured activities. Our experienced staff are trained to support children at all levels of language proficiency, ensuring a smooth and engaging learning experience. Parents are also welcome to engage in their native language, and we provide various resources to help them support their children's bilingual education journey.

At TBM, we recognize the distinct approaches within Montessori education and offer insights into both traditional and progressive Montessori programs to help you make an informed decision. Traditional Montessori programs adhere strictly to the principles and methodologies established by Dr. Maria Montessori. This includes a structured environment and the use of only specific Montessori materials. The curriculum only uses Montessori lessons or presentations without any extensions or variations. In contrast, progressive Montessori programs, like at TBM, incorporate contemporary educational practices and adaptations to the traditional Montessori philosophy. While still maintaining core Montessori principles and philosophy, our programs are more flexible and may integrate modern technology, extension lessons and materials as well as classes like yoga, French and music classes that often means collaborative activities. The aim is to provide a more holistic and adaptable learning experience, catering to the evolving educational needs of today's children and to prepare children to join any other program when entering elementary; from Montessori elementary, to public or private school, TBM children will be ready for any learning environment. Any good Montessori program, regardless of their philosophy, should be promoting a child-centered approach and encourage experiential learning. At TBM we follow a Montessori curriculum and we encourage independence, hands-on learning and have a deep respect for the child's natural psychological development and that is why any additional lessons or materials must enhance the Montessori curriculum and follow the Montessori philosophy. Any additions to our program are carefully chosen and meet our TBM standards. Our team at TBM is here to guide you through understanding the benefits of a progressive Montessori to ensure it is the best fit for your child's educational journey.

A: We serve children from ages 2.5 to 6 years old, encompassing the toddler through kindergarten years.

A: Our classrooms maintain the teacher-to-student ratio as required by the Ministry of Education to ensure individualized attention and support for each child. The ratio varies by age group, ranging from 1:5 to 1:8.

Montessori is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, emphasizing child-led learning through hands-on activities and collaborative play. At TBM , we incorporate Montessori principles by providing a prepared environment that encourages students to explore and learn at their own pace. Our classrooms are designed with a variety of learning materials that cater to the developmental stages of each child, fostering independence, creativity, and critical thinking. Our educators are trained to guide and observe rather than direct, allowing children to develop confidence and a love for learning. Through the Montessori method, we strive to nurture the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—preparing them for future success.

A: Our bilingual program seamlessly integrates with Montessori principles. Children are exposed to both languages throughout the day in various activities and subjects, promoting natural language acquisition and cultural awareness.

A: Montessori education fosters independence, critical thinking, and a love of learning. It also supports social, emotional, and cognitive development, preparing children for lifelong success.

A: Our school operates from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with options for extended care before and after regular school hours from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

In Ontario, child care centers must adhere to specific regulations and guidelines for food and snack provision to ensure children receive nutritious and balanced meals. These guidelines are outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Education and the Canada Food Guide. Balanced Meals and Snacks: TBM provides meals and snacks that align with the recommendations of Canada's Food Guide, which emphasizes a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure balanced nutrition. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources such as meat, dairy and legumes. The menu at Trillium Bilingual Montessori is designed based on Canada's Food Guide, providing a variety of foods from all the major food groups. Meals and snacks include a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources, ensuring children receive comprehensive nutrition (Guide). Meal Timing: TBM offers one meal (lunch) and two snacks and a mini snack at the end of the day, ensuring children are provided with adequate nutrition throughout the day. Trillium Bilingual Montessori schedules meals and snacks to provide consistent nourishment throughout the day. They offer a mix of meals and snacks that align with the regulatory requirements, ensuring children’s energy and nutritional needs are met (Guide). Safe Food Practices: The preparation and handling of food must follow safe food practices to prevent foodborne illnesses. This includes proper storage, cooking, and serving procedures TBM kitchen and facilities are inspected by the Region of Waterloo Public Health. The school follows strict food safety protocols, including proper storage, preparation, and serving practices to prevent foodborne illnesses. Staff are trained in safe food handling and hygiene practices (Guide), Allergies and Dietary Restrictions: We accommodate children with allergies and dietary restrictions by providing alternative options that meet their nutritional needs without compromising their safety. If your child has special dietary needs, please communicate with our admission staff to ensure we take the proper precautions. The school works closely with parents to understand and implement each child’s specific dietary needs (Guide). Water Availability: Drinking water is readily available to children throughout the day. Each child must bring a water bottle to have on-site. Children who forget to bring one from home will be provided with one from TBM. Our trained educators easily recognize the signs of dehydration and know to encourage regular hydration throughout the day (Guide). Trillium Bilingual Montessori follows these guidelines diligently to ensure that children receive nutritious, balanced, and safe meals.

A: Our curriculum includes Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, Cultural Studies, Science, and the Arts. We also incorporate physical education and outdoor activities.

A: Cultural studies are integrated into daily activities through stories, music, art, and celebrations of various cultural traditions. This helps children develop a global perspective and appreciation for diversity.

A: Yes, we offer a variety of extracurricular activities such as music, art, dance, and sports to enrich the educational experience and cater to the diverse interests of our students. You can find more information on our Home Page on our website about our French, Yoga, Music and other programs we offer at TBM.

A. At Trillium Bilingual Montessori, we follow the Montessori approach, which emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child's natural psychological, physical, and social development. In some "pure" Montessori circles, TBM would fall under the "progressive" Montessori since we offer "extras" to the children in our program. Things like: -Yoga classes -French classes -Music classes with instruments and child music specialists -Montessori material extensions (enhancement to the traditional Montessori materials where children use the skills learned with the Montessori materials and they carry them over to other non-traditional Montessori activities) -we have a reading/relaxation area in the classrooms -we teach children about relaxation, breathing and emotional regulations using the latest early childhood research and techniques -we adapt our classrooms/learning environment to the needs of the children (ex. a high energy child might benefit from jumping on a small trampoline or toddlers using a pickler triangle, allowing gross motor activities to come in the classroom to accommodate the group or a child)

Registering your child at Trillium Bilingual Montessori is a straightforward process. First, you must register on our waitlist using the OneList. You'll find detailed information about the school's philosophy, programs on our website here. After registering on our waitlist, our admission coordinator will contact you when TBM has an opening for the program you are requesting. The waitlist can be long, causing a wait time anywhere from a few months to several months to a year. We have most of our openings available in the fall, usually in September, when many of our children have aged out of our program. Our team is available to assist you at every step and answer any additional questions you may have.

The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system is a federal initiative designed to make child care more affordable, accessible, and inclusive for families across Canada. TBM is proud to participate in the CWELCC program by providing high-quality early learning and child care services that align with these goals. Through funding and support from the CWELCC, we are able to offer reduced fees for our child care programs, ensuring that more families in our community can access our services. Our professional staff is dedicated to delivering an enriching and supportive environment for all children, helping them thrive in their critical early years. To learn more about how the CWELCC can benefit your family and the specific programs we offer under this initiative, feel free to read the Ministry of Education's website.

You can view the current fees here.