Early Years Virtual School
For children ages 2 to 6 years old. Guided, daily instruction delivered by online Montessori guide in virtual classroom, facilitated by parent.
The Program
Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old, this online educational program combines authentic Montessori materials with expert guidance to develop self-motivated, independent-thinking children who are ready to succeed both inside and outside of school.
- Montessori materials delivered to your door
Authentic, developmentally appropriate Montessori learning materials are shipped to each of our families throughout the school year, helping to create the kind of curated environment that aids effective, hands-on learning.
- Expert guidance from qualified Montessori guides
- Engaging online instruction inspires offline learning all day long
- Extracurricular activities
- Introducing the kindergarten curriculum when the time is right
- Spanish immersion options available
Our Approach
Virtual schooling for ages 2-6
A hands-on Montessori learning experience that provides the foundations for the elementary years.
We offer parents support and guidance in working toward a harmonious daily routine for your child, one where each of you has stretches of independent work. And we offer children impactful virtual experiences that help shape their mostly offline days in a Montessori way.
- For you: Online resources and high-touch, online, personalized support. Our Montessori parenting experts will create an engaging schedule of activities for you and your child, and guide you through the process of setting expectations and establishing routines on a regular basis.
- For your child: Virtual touch points and guidance. A circle time with follow-up activities, personalized Montessori presentations, and elective virtual programming such as yoga, dance, and art. All with a Montessori-trained guide (our word for teacher).
- For your home: Kits of Montessori materials tuned to your child, to optimize your home setup for your child’s independence.
There is no substitute for the presence of live adult mentors helping in the development of young children. Our virtual Montessori guides can connect with children and provide a virtual role model, while equipping parents and caregivers with tools and insights to do so at home. Together, we work toward routine, concentrated work, diffusing challenging moments, and allowing for adults to have stretches of time to work, relax, and just be adults!
Program Elements
To start, your child’s guide will have an initial meeting with you to get to know your child and offer advice on topics such as home environment set up and getting ready for the first day of virtual school. You will receive a basic set of materials which are included in your enrollment fee. As you continue, you’ll receive a regular package of educational Montessori materials, to help foster your child's growth and independence. Then, as your child starts in our program, your guide will have bi-weekly one-on-one meetings to keep you updated on your child’s progress, plan for offline learning, offer parent guidance in setting up routines, and troubleshooting issues.
Each day is a day structured by virtual touch points between your child and a Montessori guide. Mornings include:
- Virtual circle time, combined with offline follow up activity
- Morning lessons through collaboration and direction of your child’s guide
Afternoons include:
- Independent work inspired by morning lessons
- Daily elective special virtual programming (yoga, dance, etc.)
As your child grows, so do the virtual benefits. For children ages 2 to 3, you‘ll get:
- A Virtual Classroom that runs for 90 minutes daily, Monday through Friday. During this time, your child’s guide will offer lessons in the Montessori curriculum, focusing primarily on Practical Life skills that help develop your child’s independence and concentration, as well as working on emerging literacy skills, beginning with oral language games, letter sound and symbol recognition, and sound games.
- 90 minutes is a lot — and at first, your child might only partially participate, building up to consistent meaningful engagement.
For children ages 4 to 6:
- A Virtual Classroom that runs for 2 hours daily, Monday through Friday. During this time, your child’s guide will offer lessons in the Montessori curriculum, focusing primarily on math and reading and writing skills, as well as doing some Practical Life and movement activities.
- This program uses Montessori materials online and inspires children to continue the work offline through cultivated follow-up activities
- In addition to the morning class time, your child will also be invited to 30-minute afternoon “electives” where they will be able to join classes such as yoga and art.
Offline Parenting Support
Distance learning at this age complements your child being able to complete follow-up activities at home while offline. Although we will not physically be in your home to enable these activities, we will do everything we can to help you create the conditions in which your child can be successful outside of class, including:
- Bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with your child’s guide. In these meetings, you can discuss what your child is working on in class, and how you can give support at home. And your guide will show you how to work with any of the materials that are used in the Montessori program.
- Support from our community. Our dedicated team works closely with each guide to ensure that parents receive continuous support. Your child’s guide is your primary point of contact, but other team members, such as your Community Manager and the Program Manager for your child’s class will help to address any questions or issues you may have on an as-needed basis.
Community Access
If you’re near a Guidepost campus, you are welcome to take part in any live events and to join a larger community.
For parents, enrollment offers access to a global community of other families seeking to apply Montessori principles. You’ll even be able to take our parent training for free — or enroll in our full Montessori teacher training certificate course.
And should you choose, when you’re ready, you’ll be able to easily enroll your child in a local Guidepost school.
Frequently Asked Questions
From how the course is designed to how it's delivered.
- What if my child has trouble focusing for 90 minutes?
We do not expect children this age to be 100% engaged with the virtual class, 100% of the time! It is perfectly natural for your child to be more interested in some activities and not others. Joining classes online is challenging for this age group and like other skills, requires some practice! The cadence of the lesson will allow for movement activities interspersed with those that require attention on the screen. The Guide is trained to find new and exciting “hooks” to draw your child’s attention back to a lesson, based on their interest in specific topics. Additionally, you and your child’s guide will have regular check-in meetings to troubleshoot any issues that may come up and discuss any questions that you may have along the way. Like adjusting to any new school, we view this transition as a process, and we have many tools to help your child and your family adjust to the virtual program!
It is helpful to establish a “classroom workspace” for your child. Ideally, this can be at a table with your child's working materials close by and easily accessible. (Paper and writing/coloring materials are highly recommended to have on hand). Your child’s Guide will update each family with any additional materials that are needed weekly. Some children enjoy preparing and enjoying a snack during class as well!
Invite (but do not force) your child to do any other activities in front of the camera. This way, the other children can observe, and your child can listen in on the lesson being presented.
- How much support will my child need during the virtual lesson?
- What does parent communication look like?
- How do I know my child is learning?
- Is your program a home school or private school program? Will it “count” as real school if my child were to move on next year to a different public or private school?
- Is Guidepost Montessori Virtual School (GMVS) an accredited school?
- Is GMVS licensed as a private school?
- What is the difference between accreditation and licensing?
- Will my child’s credit at GMVS transfer to a public school or other private school if s/he transfers out of GMVS after COVID-19?
- Do you offer any kind of financial aid or discounts?
- Are you looking for employees for your ECEW classrooms?
- How does socialization/peer contact work at a distance?
- How will you assess my child's learning?
- Montessori requires hands-on manipulatives. How will you do this at home?
- Will I need to purchase special materials or supplies?
- Are your teachers Montessori trained? Are they prepared for teaching in a virtual setting?
- Do you have language immersion programs?