Project Description
The Kindergarten Program
“The period under six is decisive. What ever abilities the child constructs they will remain incarnate in him for life.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
Brief Overview of the Kindergarten Classroom
- 16 Student Cap, 1:8 Teacher to Student Ratio
- All meals made in house, from scratch, with organic and best choice ingredients
- 8 Week Block of Forest School in the Fall, and another 8 Week Block in the Spring
- Weekly Children’s Yoga, Mindfulness, and Meditation
- Weekly Music, Movement, and Dance
- Integrated French throughout the Daily Curriculum
- Large Outdoor Classroom with CSA Certified Climbers, Bike Tracks, Stages, Toboggan Hill, Trees, Organic Gardens, Mud Kitchens
- We are Active Community Helpers
- Progress Reports
- Daily Reports through our Interactive Communication App
Extended Hours. No Need for Before and After School Care
- Subsidy is still available for Kindergarten
The rumours are true! We have a phenomenal kindergarten program at Bright Child Montessori! One of our goals here is to create independent, active, lifelong learners. Kindergarten students will learn about the solar system and the layers of the ocean. They will learn about flags, continents and the diversity of the people living on our planet. They will learn how to count, add, subtract and maybe even multiply. They often become confident readers. They will spend hours each day outside growing food, building forts in the forest, and riding bikes. They will go tobogganing and build snowmen. They will practice yoga, and learn about mindfulness and gratitude. They will be active members of our community. They will eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack all made in house, from scratch, with mostly organic ingredients. And of course, they will also work at an advanced level through the five areas of the Montessori classroom; Practical Life, Language, Mathematics, Sensorial, and Culture.
- 16 weeks of Forest School
Takes place throughout the spring and fall. This allows us to experience the seasonal transformation of life in the forest. - Yoga Practice
Mrs. T. is a certified Rainbow Kids Yoga instructor. She leads the students in yoga practice every Friday morning. - Music, Movement, and Dance
Led by Catherine Cristofaro of the Rivertown Dance Academy. Lessons takes place on Thursday mornings. - Art, Crafts, and Creativity
Monthly themes and crafts are completed all year long. On site visits from Julie’s Paint Party. - French Lessons
Incorporated into all lessons throughout the day.
Our Kindergarten Teachers
Donna’s passion for working with children never waned. While supplying at The Discovery Tree and Paula’s Playhouse, she rediscovered her love for teaching. She later joined The Montessori Creative Learning Centre, where she was introduced to the Montessori Method under the mentorship of former owner Lindsay Morris. When Bright Child Montessori took root, we were fortunate to have Donna join our team during the transition, and she has been an integral part of our community ever since.
Over the past seven years, Mrs. Bailey has become known for her gentle presence, genuine heart, and uncanny ability to connect with every child in her care. She is lovingly referred to as our resident child whisperer, a title she wears with quiet grace.
In addition to her nurturing teaching style, Donna’s exceptional cooking talents have become legendary within the school. From wholesome, child-friendly meals to her unforgettable oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, she nourishes the Bright Child family in every sense of the word. (And no, she still hasn’t shared the recipe.)
We are truly blessed to have Mrs. Bailey as part of our team. Her warmth, wisdom, and wholehearted dedication continue to leave a lasting impact on generations of Bright Child learners.
Diane believes that every child learns in their own unique way and that meaningful growth begins with a positive, trusting relationship. She brings compassion, creativity, and a flexible mindset to the classroom, always meeting children where they are and helping them reach their full potential at their own pace.
Outside of the classroom, Diane values balance, community, and curiosity. She loves to travel, seek out new experiences, and reconnect with old friends. Coming from a large, close-knit family, she invests her time in the people she loves, whether that’s chasing after her nieces and nephews or enjoying a good conversation over coffee.
With her calm presence, strong foundation in behavioral science, and deep respect for childhood development, Ms. Pohanka is a valued member of the Bright Child Montessori team.
Allysa began her journey with Bright Child Montessori in 2020 during her first year of the concurrent education program. After completing a successful field placement, she was quickly invited to join the team as a supply educator, where she seamlessly supported classrooms across all age groups—from Infants to Kindergarten. Over time, she took on summer roles with increasing responsibility, gaining experience in curriculum planning, parent communication, and classroom leadership.
Now working occasionally with the public school board, Ms. Ammonite continues to return to Bright Child as a valued member of our team. Her calm demeanor, strong classroom management, and genuine connection with children make her a trusted and beloved educator among both students and staff.
We’re proud to have Ms. Ammonite continue to share her skills and spirit with us in our infant room, supporting our learners with warmth, professionalism, and care.
Elizabeth began her teaching journey at Bright Child Montessori, where she first developed a deep appreciation for the Montessori philosophy and its emphasis on independence, curiosity, and individualized learning. Her time at Bright Child laid a strong foundation for her teaching practice, which she has continued to build upon throughout her career.
For the past two years, Ms. Kulyk has been working occasionally with the public school board, bringing her calm presence, thoughtful instruction, and student-centered approach to the classroom. She has returned to Bright Child as a familiar and valued supply educator in our Infant program—where her blend of Montessori insight and public school experience helps children feel supported, understood, and excited to learn.
Elizabeth is passionate about fostering confidence, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning in her students. We are always grateful to have her back with us.
What Other People Are Saying About Our School
I wouldn’t send my kids anywhere else!! The teachers are all amazing and always welcoming!! My daughters talk about their teachers all the time! A huge thing for me was the healthy food that the kids eat! This is a big thing in my family and we teach our kids to eat healthy. So it’s nice to know that it is being carried on at school! I have also never seen a school so clean as well!! Every time I pick up my kids there is always someone cleaning. At the end of the day my kids are getting the best care and I recommend to all my friends to look here when deciding where to enroll their kids!! The bar is set VERY HIGH!!!!!
Carly and Dean Fantin, Bright Child ParentsBright Child provides a caring, thoughtfully prepared learning environment that has encouraged our son to learn and grow socially, cognitively, physically and emotionally. The holistic approach to meals prepared and served, and programs offered, from music, art, yoga to Forest School, have been key to my son’s development into the confident, independent little boy he has become.
Kate & BJ Laub, Bright Child ParentsThank you for everything you have done for us since working at Bright Child. You have helped shape our careers and we wouldn’t be where we are now if it was not with the help of both of you! We really appreciate your love and support!
Jenna Huneault and Rebekah French, Bright Child TeachersBeyond grateful to have such a well run school where we can send our kids. The teachers are so engaged and so capable, they know and love our children; the food is healthful; the programming is creative; the result is well adjusted kids learning far more than I would ever think to impart. Bright child is an extension of our home 🙂
Megan Mailloux, Bright Child ParentEvery day, I look forward to the photo updates of what Finlay is doing at school. I truly appreciate the time it takes to keep all parents informed. It speaks to how dedicated the staff at Bright Child Montessori are.
– Jeff MelocheFinlay loved Forest School! And I appreciate that he has the opportunity to learn mindfulness and meditation, through yoga every Friday.
– Janice Meloche
Jeff and Janice Meloche, Bright Child ParentsWe feel so blessed to have our daughter start her earliest experiences growing, learning, and exploring at Bright Child Montessori. It is never easy to drop your children off in someone else’s care, but we have been confident since day one in our decision. The staff at BC is knowledgeable and passionate. They work so incredibly hard and I truly respect each and every one of them for the time and effort they have put forward to making Juliet’s experience so wonderful. We have witnessed so much empathy and love towards our daughter from the staff, and the time and effort in giving her, and all the children, an enriched experience each and every day is so heart warming. We are also extremely satisfied with the cleanliness and amenities at the school, the incredible healthy and diverse daily menu, and the specialty programs like yoga, dance, and outdoor activities that make her so excited, and a little less sad (parting from us) each morning. I strongly recommend this school to any parent who values education, equity, and imagination for their child.
Jennifer Fatallah, Bright Child ParentBright Child is an amazing Montessori school. Our youngest is currently in the Casa 1 class and our oldest is in senior kindergarten at Bright Child. The teachers are calm and caring and truly provide individualized attention to each child. We love that the school emphasizes the importance of outdoor time (in all weather) and teaches respect for nature. Forest School is an excellent addition to the program! The meals and snacks provided to the children are incredible – varied, healthy, and locally sourced when possible. Our girls absolutely love the music classes and doing yoga. As a parent, I love that the Montessori method emphasizes independence – it is incredible to watch your child’s confidence increase as they master a new skill!
Sarah and Kory Renaud, Bright Child ParentsMy wife and I have two children enrolled in this school. The peace of mind we get knowing that they are well taken care of by teachers and staff that really care about their well being is worth every penny. The kids really love going to school.
Dan Knuckle, Father of David and Audrey AnneBright Child Montessori puts your mind at ease by creating a nurturing and challenging learning environment with a dedicated teaching staff. We have been so impressed with how the Montessori teaching methods have enhanced our child’s interests while exposing him to a variety of fundamental life skills. We would wholeheartedly recommend Bright Child Montessori to any parent looking for a superior educational experience for their child.
Brooke & Bryon Meloche, Bright Child ParentsI will never forget the first day we visited Bright Child Montessori. The moment we walked in, we were instantly greeted by the staff who made us feel so very comfortable. As a new Mother, I was anxious to leave our daughter in the care of others.. however within the first day we knew that our Reese was so well taken care of! The teachers, staff, chef, and the owners John and Melissa are beyond amazing! They have created such a nurturing environment for our children to learn and grow, and the organic menu is incredible! Bright child feels like an extension to our family, and I am so grateful to have them apart of our lives!
Jessie and Jeff Schwab, Bright Child ParentsI can confidently say that enrolling our kids into Bright Child is one of the best decisions we’ve made for them! The teachers in every room are absolutely amazing, always welcoming when we come into the school and make us feel right at home. I’m always so happy to see the healthy meals they are eating every day. We get daily picture updates which just make our day at work so much better! We decided to enroll our oldest daughter into JK here in the fall, couldn’t imagine taking her out yet, the things they learn are unbelievable. Both girls have advanced so much from their learning at this school. Bright Child staff, teachers and owners put SO much care into everything they do, I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who wants their children to have an outstanding experience!
Jaclyn Blackburn, Bright Child ParentMy wife and I can’t say enough great things about Bright Child and their staff. Our children love their teachers, class activities, new friends, the great food options and they love looking back through all the photos and videos on our phones captured by staff daily, even after they graduate. My wife and I, along with the family members set up on the HiMama app praise the organization of the school with Bright Child providing us with meal information, bathroom break info during potty training and activity overview. We value the timeless photos and videos and day by day updates. Thank you Bright Child staff, for all you do.
Brady Thrasher, Bright Child ParentTuition Information
“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business” – Henry Ford
Canada Wide Early Learning Child Care System
In Ontario, the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system has significantly reduced child care fees for families with children under six. As of January 2025, fees are capped at $22 per day for participating programs, and the long-term goal is to reduce fees to an average of $10 per day by March 2026.
Child Care Expense Deduction
In addition to the CWELCC program, Canadian taxpayers can still claim up to $8,000 per child of child care expenses on their personal tax return. Child care expenses can be claimed for the purposes of earning a living or going to school. This will, in turn, reduce your income, and the amount of taxes you pay will be lowered.
Ontario Child Care Tax Credit
Families with a household income under 150K can also take advantage of the Ontario Child Care Tax Credit (CARE). The amount you could receive is calculated using your Child Care Expense Deduction, multiplied by the Ontario Child Care Tax Credit rate that is based on your family income.
Child Care Subsidy
The CWELCC program is separate from the Ontario Child Care Fee Subsidy program, which continues to be available for eligible families who need additional financial support. Fee subsidy eligibility will continue to be determined through the income test that is administered by the City of Windsor
Daily Rates
Base fees after CWELCC is applied
Full Day
- Drop Off 7-9am
- Pickup 3-5:30pm
- Montessori Curriculum
- Scratch Made Organic Meals
- Music, Movement, and Dance
- Children’s Yoga
- Integrated French
- No Need for Before and After School Care
- Progress Reports
- Equivalent to $450.45 Monthly
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