ABOUT NIDO
Welcome to Nido!
Applying to Nido
Our Nido program currently has a waitlist. If you are interested in our Nido program, please fill out an application and we will contact you for a tour if we have an opening at the desired start date.
For children ages 6 weeks to 18 months—
The Nido program is designed around the belief that infants are born with tremendous potential eager to learn, explore, and try new things. The classroom, in light of the infant’s need for routine and consistency, will allow for freedom of movement while gently stimulating the naturally curious infant. A flexible schedule will allow each child to eat, sleep, or play according to their own unique internal rhythm. The activities will support and encourage language development, practical life skills, eye-hand coordination, along with gross and fine motor abilities in a warm and loving environment.
Our guides are highly trained and experienced in Montessori infant care. With a ratio of 1 to 3, each child is lovingly cared for and supported to learn independent skills.
Infant Learning Goals
Explores objects in different ways
Uses simple gestures to communicate
Chooses an activity and puts it away
Plays alongside others
Knows the names of body parts, colors, and shapes
Beginning to use one to two word phrases
Demonstrates independent skills such as self-feeding
Achieving physical development milestones such as crawling, walking, climbing, and jumping
“We should not look at newborn infants as small, helpless human beings, but as persons who are small in size, but with an immense mental capacity, and many physical abilities that cannot be witnessed unless the environment assists in the expression of life.”
—Maria Montessori
Nido Lead Guide
A Note from our Nido Lead Guide, Melissa Turner:
From working in the church nursery to being a counselor for teenagers at summer camp, I have been involved with the formation of children at nearly every stage of development. I was really first introduced to the fullness of Montessori method of education after becoming a member at St. Matthew’s and witnessing the formation of the children and youth in our community in a way where they were free to explore and wonder in an environment prepared specifically for them. I was excited to know that we would be extending this opportunity for families in East Dallas through early childcare. In the first few months of being with our youngest students in Nido, I had the privilege of watching many of them move from infancy to toddlerhood. I hope that as a Toddler guide I can assist students in developing skills and confidence that will be a foundation for life-long learning.
Nido Environment
The Nido Montessori classroom is a carefully created prepared environment that will help support the development of children ages 6 weeks to 18 months old. We have mix-age groupings, allowing younger children to learn from the activities of older children and providing the older children the opportunity to teach and nurture the younger child. Each child may choose what to work on and with whom to work. The Montessori classroom will help cultivate the child’s social and independent skills. It will foster the child’s love for learning, provide an aid for life, and prepare them for the Toddler Program.
The Nido Montessori classroom is a carefully created prepared environment that will help support the development of children ages 6 weeks to 18 months old. We have mix-age groupings, allowing younger children to learn from the activities of older children and providing the older children the opportunity to teach and nurture the younger child.
Enrolling in Nido
If you are interested in enrolling in Nido, please complete the application below and you will be contacted for a tour if we have an opening for your child at the desired start date.
We look forward to hearing from you!