Program Descriptions
The Toddler Classroom: Joyful and spontaneous, it consists of 12 to 14 toddlers ages 16 months to three years; a Montessori trained teacher and two assistants. There is a great emphasis on language development, large and small motor coordination, and independence.
The Children's House Classroom: The preschool classroom is referred to as Children's House. Children's House consists of 20-25 children (ages 3-6), a Montessori trained teacher, and an assistant. Interest-based activities encourage children to develop a love of learning and trust in their own ability to learn. Here children develop physical, social and intellectual independence.
Summer Program: Students need not be enrolled in the school during the regular school year to participate in Bright Water's summer program. The summer program runs from June through mid-August. Children can attend half or full day. The schedule is not as rigid as during the regular school year and includes weekly field trips to the nearby public library, Folwell Park (with small wading pool) and Thursday Farmer's Market in downtown Minneapolis. There are also visits by the mounted park police, fire department, baby farm animals, the reptile man, storytelling by Auntie Beverly, singing with Barb Tilsen and many more entertaining activities.
For field trips that require transportation by van or small bus such as trips to local farms and the Como Zoo in St. Paul, you will be asked to sign permission slips allowing the school to transport your child. At the beginning of the summer parents will be asked to sign permission slips for locations the children walk to or take the city bus to as well. Some field trips have additional costs associated with them and a note will be sent home with parents advising them of costs prior to the trip.
The children plant a garden in the spring and those that participate in the summer program help to nurture the garden during the summer months to ensure a bountiful harvest in the fall.
- Healthy meals and snacks will be served.
