Pre-School Program ( 2.5 to 6 years old )
Our school is located on the 2nd floor of Willowdale United Church building on Kenneth Avenue. This is a short walk south from the Finch subway station or north from the North York Center subway station.

Our aim is to provide a safe and fun experience for children, age 2.5 to 6 years.  

Our School is within blocks of the North York Civic Center. The School opens from 8:30am to 6:00pm.

• Half day Morning class(8:30am - 11:30am)
  
• Full day class(8:30am - 3:30pm)
  
• After school Care(3:30pm - 6:00pm)
   
  We have excellent facilities and an auditorium/gymnasium for physical education classes. Our daily activities include music, cooking, French, story time, gym and outdoor activities, in addition to the Montessori curriculum. Our teachers are experienced and highly qualified professionals who love children.  
  
  
  ** Please refer YMS Blog to get ideas about our curriculum and activities.
     
  
   
  
  
  Mission
  The mission of Yorktown Montessori School is to nurture each child with joy, love and respect by providing an optimal learning environment based on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori.
  
  We are committed to promoting a safe, caring and co-operative atmosphere. Our dedicated teachers guide each child to develop their full potential and each child develops a mutual respect for others. By setting an environment that inspires each child to acquire skills and senses at different stages of aptitude and understanding, the child builds positive self-image, independence, self-confidence and the love of learning.
  
  At Yorktown Montessori School, each child excels and establishes a solid foundation for life. They grow ‘roots’ and ‘wings’ using the education methodology of Dr. Maria Montessori.    
  
  
  The Montessori Learning Approach
  The program at the Yorktown Montessori School is based on the philosophy and work of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Through her observational approach and respect for the potential of each child, she developed a unique method of education that enhances the child’s natural desire to learn in his or her environment.
  
  In a Montessori classroom, teachers are called director or directress. The role of the director or directress is to prepare the environment, offer activities, and constantly observe the child to help the process of ‘learning how to learn.’ The trained director or directress determines when the child is ready for the next level of exploration. With the guidance of the director or directress, the child discovers the joy of learning.
   
  We believe that children have an innate urge to explore and discover the world around them. They find joy in learning when they are actively engaged in the learning process. Children learn best in an environment of mutual respect and one that provides opportunities for cognitive, social, emotional, moral, and physical growth. With an enriched environment in the Montessori classroom, children learn best when competencies are fostered through repetitive, successful experiences while concepts and skills are internalized at their own pace.
   
  The Montessori classroom materials are specially designed apparatus for the different developing stages of the child. Each apparatus is made attractive and enticing that allows the child to focus on a particular quality. These are teaching aids that enable the child to experience and internalize the learning process. Each activity is called ‘work’, instead of play. Children learn abstract ideas and concepts from seeing and touching concrete materials. Children need opportunities to make choices, thereby fostering independence, self-esteem, and self-discipline. We believe the developmental needs of children are universal and transcend cultural differences.