We look forward to a productive and fun year of academic accomplishment!

The first few weeks at South Riding Montessori Center will be an adjustment period for both you and your child. Some children adjust to a group setting without any apparent difficulty while others will cry and cling to you. Some children will become unusually quiet and will not join in activities. Other children become over-stimulated and act out aggressively.

The following suggestions may help you to ease the adjustment period:

• Visit the school with your child prior to leaving him/her there for the first time.
• Small children are not always sure that their mom or dad will be back to pick them up. Even if they do understand that you will return, they have no idea about timing. Please explain to your child in advance what will happen when you drop him/her off and reassure him/her that you will be returning.
• Talk to your child positively about the school and the things she/he will be doing there.
• Place emphasis on what your child is going to do at the school rather than what your activities will be while you're away.
• See that your child is involved in a specific activity or is in the hands of a teacher before leaving.
• Avoid prolonged goodbyes.
• During the first weeks, you may be feeling some apprehension after having left your child. Feel free to phone the school during the day to find out how your child is doing.

Do not hesitate to discuss your adjustment issues with your child's teacher or with one of the South Riding Montessori Center’s directors. The adjustment period varies for every child. This is a natural growth and developmental process. As children mature, they begin to identify themselves as independent personalities. In separating from you, your child is learning:

• To develop an interest in the activities at the school.
• To feel comfortable with others.
• To trust that you will come back to pick him/her up.
• That parents often must concentrate on their own interest and duties which are separate and different from those of a child.
• To allow the parent freedom to come and go as needed.

It is important to point out that sooner or later - after the initial successful adjustment to the school - all children want to explore the limits of not going to school. When this occurs, go back and use the above suggestions again. Remember, we are here for you! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free talk to your child's teacher or one of our directors.

Frequently Used Forms

• Enrollment Application
• (Initial form to be completed when registering or placing your child on a wait list)


• Individuals Permitted To Pick Up
• (Form to authorize the pick up of your child. Please list a minimum of four individuals including parents)


• Health Form
• (Three page health form which needs to be completed by both the parent or guardian and your child’s physician)


• Emergency Treatement Authorization Form
• (This form authorizes any physician to render medical treatment in the event of an emergency. Please note that this form needs to be notarized)


• Written Medication Consent Form
• (Authorization form for medication to be administered for prescription, non prescription, and topical medication including sun screen, diaper ointment or insect repellent)