FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Seneca Village Montessori serves children ages 2 to 4 years old, offering Toddler, and Preschool programs. See our Programs page for more information.
Experience a day of active learning at Seneca Village Montessori, where young children thrive through hands-on exploration. We embrace the belief that children learn best through meaningful activities that engage their curiosity and creativity.
Our daily routine includes community circle time, featuring songs, discussions, and affirmations that promote confidence and connection. Children also participate in the Montessori Work Cycle, where they explore areas such as Literacy, Mathematics, Sensorial Development, and Practical Life Skills.
In addition to core academics, our well-rounded program includes:
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Music & movement
- Arts & crafts
- Quiet rest time
We further enrich your child’s experience through gardening, cooking, and creative expression — fostering joy, independence, and lifelong learning.
At Seneca Village Montessori, maintaining a low child-to-teacher ratio is a top priority. This allows us to give each child the attention, guidance, and care they deserve.
There are always two adults present in every classroom to ensure a safe and supportive environment:
- Toddler Classroom: 2 teachers for up to 12 children
- Preschool & Kindergarten Classrooms: 2 teachers for up to 13 children
This structure helps us create calm, connected classrooms where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to grow.
No, children do not need to be toilet-trained to attend Seneca Village Montessori.
We meet each child where they are developmentally and are happy to support families with their toileting goals as part of the learning process.
Seneca Village Montessori does not have a formal financial aid program.
However, we gladly accept all childcare subsidies and voucher programs. Families using these programs are also considered for scholarships to help cover the remaining cost of base tuition, making our programs more accessible to all.
At Seneca Village Montessori, we are committed to supporting your child’s well-being — and that starts with proper nutrition.
We provide a wholesome, balanced menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks, along with fresh fruit and water available throughout the day to keep your little one nourished and energized.
All meals and snacks are included in tuition, offering you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about.
Seneca Village Montessori is proud to offer year-round educational support. Families can choose between our:
- 10-month program (September to June)
- 12-month program (September to August)
To support families with school-aged children, we make every effort to align our calendar with the NYC Department of Education.
For a detailed overview of holidays, closures, and important dates, please view our academic calendar.
After their time at Seneca Village Montessori School, our students go on to attend some of the most well-regarded schools across New York City. We're proud that our unique curriculum not only prepares them academically but also positions them for success — with many earning scholarships based on their outstanding performance.
Here’s a look at some of the schools our alumni have attended:
- BASIS Independent Brooklyn: Renowned for its STEM-focused curriculum and preparation for top universities
- Brooklyn Friends School: Combines Quaker values with rigorous academics and a strong focus on social justice
- Brooklyn Heights Montessori: Offers a continuous Montessori experience with a robust, self-directed learning model
- Ember Charter School: Focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership development
- Lefferts Gardens Montessori: Emphasizes traditional Montessori principles and moral development
- P.S. 11 & P.S. 21: Public schools known for dynamic programming and strong community engagement
- Poly Prep: Offers an academically rigorous pathway to top-tier colleges
- Saint Ann’s School: Celebrated for its unique, arts-rich curriculum and creative academic approach
- Saint Saviour Catholic Academy: Blends strong academics with values-based education
- The Dalton School: Nationally ranked private school known for its academic excellence and intellectual exploration
Our students' successful transitions speak volumes about the strong foundation they receive at Seneca Village Montessori, helping launch them into bright and confident futures.
Interested families are encouraged to book a tour to experience Seneca Village Montessori in person.
If no tour dates are listed, please feel free to contact us to request a visit.
After your visit, you may complete our online application on the Apply page.
Each year brings different availability. We give priority enrollment to currently or previously enrolled families — including siblings of enrolled students.
Once all Seneca Village Montessori families have had the opportunity to re-enroll, we typically have 3 to 7 spots available for new families.
The Montessori method is a unique educational approach that nurtures a child’s natural desire to learn. It focuses on the whole child—including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development—and is designed to help each child reach their fullest potential at their own pace.
In a Montessori classroom, children of varying ages and abilities form a collaborative learning community. Each child contributes and benefits from this dynamic environment, with multi-age groupings allowing children to grow without feeling “ahead” or “behind.”
The Montessori method:
- Fosters independence, task persistence, and self-regulation
- Promotes social development through respectful communication and natural consequences
- Provides a wide range of materials for refining sensory perception and building literacy and math skills
- Encourages imaginative exploration, leading to confident, creative self-expression
This thoughtful and child-centered approach provides a strong foundation for academic success and lifelong learning.
In a Montessori environment, children learn through hands-on exploration using specially designed materials. Each material focuses on a single concept or skill and builds a foundation for understanding more abstract ideas over time.
Children are free to work with the materials at their own pace, repeating exercises until they achieve mastery. Teachers act as gentle guides — there to inspire, observe, and support rather than direct.
Across the classroom, beautifully prepared curriculum areas contain a sequential progression of lessons. As students work through the sequence, they build upon what they’ve already mastered — deepening both understanding and confidence.
In this process, children naturally develop key life skills:
- Autonomy
- Creative thinking
- Focus and persistence
- Satisfaction in meaningful work
Montessori classrooms group children in mixed-age communities, where older students often share their knowledge with younger ones, creating a culture of collaboration, leadership, and mutual respect.
Still have questions? Contact us.
