Montessori School of Durham

Igniting passion and curiosity for lifelong learning

Early Childhood & Kindergarten

An Early Childhood student makes a pin-punched map

MSD’s Early Childhood classes are made up of children ages 3-6 years old. Children at this stage learn through exploration and discovery and develop practical skills to build independence, hone observation, and further early language and math abilities. Each class has a lead and an assistant teacher and the class work cycles include both individual and small group lessons. Below are the hours of the program, based on the child’s age:

Early Childhood 3-4 year olds attend Monday-Friday, 8:30-12:00 or 3:00pm, with the option of After School care until 4:00pm or 6:00pm.

Early Childhood Kindergarteners (must be 5 by Sept. 1st) attend Monday-Friday, 8:30-3:00pm with the option of After School care until 4:00pm or 6:00pm.

All students are eligible for Before School Care available from 7:45-8:30am. Students stay in their own classrooms until 3pm and, if staying later, then transition to the After School building. Explore our Extended Care page to learn more about our After School Care program.

Early Childhood students also receive special lessons from Dragonfly Nature Programs and from a Spanish Instructor. Children in Kindergarten begin working with our Reading Specialist, Art Teacher, Spanish Teacher, Music Teacher, and PE Teacher in regularly scheduled "Specials" classes.

See what alum enjoyed most about their experience in Montessori School of Durham’s Early Childhood program.

An Early Childhood student independently sorts items by heavy and light.
An Early Childhood student uses the sandpaper letters and object matching work in the language area of the classroom.
An Early Childhood student uses the world puzzle map material as he creates his own world map.