Arletta Montessori

Arletta Montessori provides a childcare and educational experience for children in Gig Harbor, Washington. The school follows the Montessori method, an approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that emphasizes individualized learning, a non-competitive atmosphere, and fostering intrinsic motivation in children. Programs are available for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten ages, with children needing to be three by August 31st for enrollment. The school offers 5-day programs, including a Transitional Kindergarten option.

The curriculum covers various subjects designed to encourage independence and critical thinking. Areas of study include practical life skills (such as pouring, food preparation, and self-care), sensorial exploration, language development (from oral activities to reading comprehension), mathematics, art and music, botany and zoology, and physical and cultural geography. The classroom features a mixed-age setting and a prepared environment with child-sized materials, allowing children to move freely and choose activities at their own pace.

Arletta Montessori also incorporates an outdoor classroom with year-round gardens, weather stations, and wildlife study units, where children act as stewards of the garden and participate in planting and harvesting. The staff includes lead teachers who hold a minimum of a BA degree and are Montessori certified and credentialed. All classroom assistants complete Montessori assistant training, and the entire team is certified in CPR/First Aid and has passed background checks in Washington state. Parents frequently commend the school for its caring staff, safe environment, and the positive development they observe in their children.