FAQ

We are open from 7:30-5:30. Before care opens at 7:30am in which breakfast is served at 7:30- 8:00. Dropoff is 8:30-9:00 until 3:00pm. Aftercare is available from 3:15 until 5:30pm. A catered lunch is provided for all full-day students and our breakfast and aftercare snacks are included in the respective program fees. 

We currently serve ages 8 weeks to age 6. Our Nido Infant class has a 1:4 ratio; Toddler classes have a 1:5 ratio; Primary classes have a 1:10 ratio; Elementary rooms have a 1:20 ratio, when applicable. 

YES. We have our membership with the American Montessori Society (AMS). We are also a proud member of the Association of Independent Montessori Schools (AIMS). Our lead teachers have Montessori training, and our staff meet all requirements by DCFS. More information can be found at www.amshq.org and https://ilmontessori.org/. You will note that Dr. Montessori was the first woman physician in Italy in the late 1800s. She was a scientist and a medical doctor who understood brain development. Subsequently, she developed concrete materials to support all types of learners. CDBM recognizes Whole Child Development. 

YES. Ages 3+ The Primary and Elementary level we do require uniforms: Girls wear a logo polo with a skirt or khaki bottoms and Boys wear a logo polo with khaki shorts or pants. We require uniforms M-Th, but Fridays is Casa Spirit Day so appropriate play clothes are acceptable. We do have a dress code of appropriate wear for Toddlers, and uniforms are optional. All students wear indoor shoes and change to outdoor shoes for the playground and departure. 

YES. Our Fine Arts team rotates a schedule so that Primary classes have transitions to Music, ART, Media, and PE every week. Infants and Toddlers enjoy Music class each week.

YES. We offer optional classes to all students 2-6 years old, after school hours typically from 3- 4pm, which may vary from year to year. For example, we have had: Martial Arts, LEGO/STEM, Art, Music/Movement, Tumbling, Dance, Chess, Soccer, etc. 

NO. Montessori environments are non-competitive and peaceful settings where all children are honored and expectations are met through the joy of learning, not through extrinsic rewards. Students are neither rewarded nor shamed for their behavior – rather it is a learning opportunity to try again, correctly.

We treat all students with dignity and respect in a confidential manner, without humiliation. We often use tactics found in “Conscious Discipline” where we can redirect children’s behavior in a positive manner. At times, students may even do a self-reflection activity that allows them to gain the tools to help them make better decisions in the future. 

We are licensed through DCFS, which means we uphold standards that require our students and staff to be healthy with appropriate records and documentation. If communicable illnesses arise at school, the parent will be notified; the student shall be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning. We will notify your emergency contact if we cannot reach a parent. Health and safety are our priorities. A Covid-19 Risk/Health Management action plan is in place, and we are mask-optional as of October 2022. 

YES. We use the app called Procare to check in and out students. Only toddlers and infants will get daily reporting using this app. Primary uses Procare for attendance and pictures, and email parents weekly newsletters. All students receive progress reports 3 times a year. In June and July, we offer summer camp, which is optional to attend and prorated by weeks of attendance.