Welcome to Little Valley Montessori

We offer a supportive Montessori space where toddlers and young children cultivate self-reliance, self-assurance, and a genuine passion for discovery. Our spaces are meticulously organized to spark innate interest and development. At Little Valley Montessori, we prioritize mentoring every student with dignity through a classic curriculum.

Now participating in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program

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Our Programs

Child playing with toys at Little Valley Montessori School

A young boy builds with blocks at Little Valley Montessori School.

What is Montessori?

Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator, Maria Montessori. In 1907 Maria Montessori opened her first classroom, the Casa dei Bambini or Children’s house, in a tenement building in Rome. From the beginning, Montessori based her work on her observations of children and experimentation with the environment, materials, and lessons available to them. Montessori education is practiced in an estimated 20,000 schools worldwide, serving children from birth to eighteen years old.

Montessori education is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits and respect for a child’s natural psychological development. The Association Montessori International cites the following elements as essential:

mixed-age classrooms
student choice of activity from within a prescribed range options
uninterrupted blocks of work time
a constructivism or “discovery” model, where students learn concepts from working with materials rather than by direct instruction
specialized educational materials

The Montessori approach is based on the natural laws of human development. Maria Montessori observed that children under six absorb limitlessly and effortlessly from the world around them and in so doing lay down all the foundations for later in life.

The mixed age group allows the children to develop socially, intellectually and emotionally. It is an essential part of any Montessori school, and it is the Montessori culture that we adopt in our school, this is one of the most important reasons why Little Valley Montessori is one of the best Montessori preschools and daycares in Richmond Hill.

In a Montessori school, the child is guided by a trained adult who will show them how to do the things they are ready for. Later they can work with the materials independently

Our Nurturing Programs

Guided by the Montessori philosophy, we offer tailored environments for every stage of your child's early development.

Ages 18-30 Months

Toddler Environment

Fostering independence and confidence in our youngest learners through sensory-based exploration and practical life skills focused on movement and language.

AGES 2.5-6 YEARS

Casa Environment

The capstone of the Primary cycle, where older children step into mentorship roles, deeply solidifying their academic knowledge and social responsibility.

A Prepared Environment for Discovery

Our classrooms are designed to foster independence, natural curiosity, and a deep respect for learning. Every shelf and station is thoughtfully organized to meet each child at their unique developmental stage.

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Practical Life

Practical Life activities help children develop independence, coordination, and concentration through everyday tasks such as pouring, cleaning, and caring for their environment. These activities build confidence and foster a sense of responsibility.

Extra-Curricular Programs

At Little Valley Montessori, we believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Our extra-curricular programs offer children the opportunity to explore new interests, develop important skills, and enjoy enriching experiences in a fun and supportive environment.

Through a variety of activities such as art, movement, music, and other specialized programs, children are encouraged to express their creativity, build confidence, and discover their unique talents while continuing to grow socially and emotionally.

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After-School Art Program 🎨

Our after-school art program offers children the opportunity to explore their creativity in a fun and supportive environment. Through a variety of hands-on activities such as painting, drawing, collage, and mixed-media projects, children are encouraged to express their ideas and imagination. The program focuses on developing fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence while allowing each child to explore art at their own pace. Guided by experienced instructors, students experiment with different materials and techniques while enjoying the creative process. This enriching program provides a wonderful way for children to unwind after the school day while discovering the joy of artistic expression.

02

After-School French Program 🇫🇷

Our after-school French program introduces children to the French language in a fun and engaging way. Through songs, games, stories, and interactive activities, students develop basic vocabulary and listening skills while gaining confidence in speaking French. The program encourages a natural and enjoyable approach to language learning, helping children build an early appreciation for a second language while strengthening their communication and social skills.

03

After-School Music Program 🎵

Our after-school music program introduces children to the joy of music in a fun and engaging environment. Through singing, rhythm activities, movement, and the use of simple instruments, children explore the fundamentals of music while developing their listening and coordination skills. The program encourages creativity, confidence, and self-expression while helping children build an appreciation for music. Through playful and interactive lessons, students discover the excitement of making music together.

04

After-School Taekwondo Program 🥋

Our after-school Taekwondo program introduces children to the fundamentals of martial arts in a fun and supportive environment. Through structured lessons, students develop coordination, balance, and physical strength while learning important values such as discipline, respect, and perseverance. The program encourages children to build confidence, focus, and self-control while staying active and engaged. Taekwondo provides a positive outlet for energy while helping children develop both physically and mentally.

01 / 04

After-School Art Program 🎨

Our after-school art program offers children the opportunity to explore their creativity in a fun and supportive environment. Through a variety of hands-on activities such as painting, drawing, collage, and mixed-media projects, children are encouraged to express their ideas and imagination. The program focuses on developing fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence while allowing each child to explore art at their own pace. Guided by experienced instructors, students experiment with different materials and techniques while enjoying the creative process. This enriching program provides a wonderful way for children to unwind after the school day while discovering the joy of artistic expression.

01

After-School Art Program 🎨

Our after-school art program offers children the opportunity to explore their creativity in a fun and supportive environment. Through a variety of hands-on activities such as painting, drawing, collage, and mixed-media projects, children are encouraged to express their ideas and imagination. The program focuses on developing fine motor skills, creativity, and confidence while allowing each child to explore art at their own pace. Guided by experienced instructors, students experiment with different materials and techniques while enjoying the creative process. This enriching program provides a wonderful way for children to unwind after the school day while discovering the joy of artistic expression.

02

After-School French Program 🇫🇷

Our after-school French program introduces children to the French language in a fun and engaging way. Through songs, games, stories, and interactive activities, students develop basic vocabulary and listening skills while gaining confidence in speaking French. The program encourages a natural and enjoyable approach to language learning, helping children build an early appreciation for a second language while strengthening their communication and social skills.

03

After-School Music Program 🎵

Our after-school music program introduces children to the joy of music in a fun and engaging environment. Through singing, rhythm activities, movement, and the use of simple instruments, children explore the fundamentals of music while developing their listening and coordination skills. The program encourages creativity, confidence, and self-expression while helping children build an appreciation for music. Through playful and interactive lessons, students discover the excitement of making music together.

04

After-School Taekwondo Program 🥋

Our after-school Taekwondo program introduces children to the fundamentals of martial arts in a fun and supportive environment. Through structured lessons, students develop coordination, balance, and physical strength while learning important values such as discipline, respect, and perseverance. The program encourages children to build confidence, focus, and self-control while staying active and engaged. Taekwondo provides a positive outlet for energy while helping children develop both physically and mentally.

The Principals' Message:

Welcome to Little Valley Montessori!

As a parent, you know that choosing a school for your child is one of the most significant decisions you will make, as educating our children today is more challenging than ever before. We have an overwhelming number of choices and this means we need clearer criteria by which to choose the schooling approach for our children. Since there is little doubt that the schooling years help form the very foundation of who we are and our approach to learning, this choice is most important.

At Little Valley Montessori in Richmond Hill, we aim to provide children with an educational foundation from which they can reach out and fulfill their potential while developing independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem. The unique program, centered on the child, encourages the development of personal responsibility, critical thinking processes, independence and fosters a love of learning.

Families choose a Montessori School for educational and child development reasons. Within the Montessori context, the approach to education in the classrooms is very specifically based on scientific understanding of how a child develops and learns. This synergistic approach (using the child’s natural potential) enables optimal learning. Educationally the child is at the center of their learning; at their own pace with scope to pursue their own interests. The integrated curriculum and multi-age classrooms also provide the student with a dynamic learning environment; a place where children love to learn.

The Montessori movement is also about peace. The prepared environment and the curriculum in a Montessori School support each child in their development of awareness of self and their tolerance of difference. It is these qualities that allow a child to develop their own sense of inner peace and as they mature into adults, this peace forms part of who they are and the world they live in.

I received my AMI Diploma (Association Montessori Internationale Montessori Teacher) in 2012 from the Foundation for Montessori Education, where I was taught directly by Sandra Girlato who was trained by Renilde Montessori, former Director of Training & Maria Montessori’s grand-daughter.

At Little Valley Montessori, we are proud to be one of the best Montessori schools in Richmond Hill, and we will keep doing our best to meet our valued kids' and parents' expectations.

We look forward to supporting you on your exploration of Montessori education and philosophy.

Yours for our children,

Rosa Maher
Principal

A child solving a puzzle at Little Valley Montessori School.