Why a Montessori Cooperative?
Supporting one another through grace, courtesy and respect is critical in any authentic Montessori classroom. We seek to extend these values beyond the walls of our classroom as a cooperative learning community, where education and development of the adults happens alongside that of the children.
What is Montessori?
The Montessori Philosophy of early childhood education was derived from the work of Maria Montessori in Italy in the early 20th century. Maria Montessori was one of the first women in Italy to receive a medical degree and her work in this field eventually led her to study pedagogy and educational theory. Applying her background in the scientific method of observation and experimentation in her work with children, Montessori began to advance a new form of early childhood education.
This new style of education focused on the child and moved the teacher into the background. While the child/teacher relationship is vital in any form of education, Montessori found that children learn more fully and deeply when they are allowed to initiate their learning and its pace. The teacher, in the Montessori method, is a well-prepared guide available to assist the child further in development and understanding. Montessori education continues to be relevant today, as a proven framework for nurturing and respecting children, their natural curiosity, and their love of learning.
Our standard day runs from approximately 8:30am to 3:30pm, with affordable options for extended care offered before and after. As part of our commitment to high-fidelity Montessori learning, each classroom provides an uninterrupted work period. This time is fundamental to the Montessori environment, in order to give children the opportunity to work through various tasks and responsibilities at their own pace.
“This uninterrupted work period is vitally important, as it provides the time necessary to build coordination, concentration, independence and order, and it is when the assimilation of information is able to occur.” - The American Montessori Society
To best preserve this, we do not offer half-day schedules but understand some families may not wish to utilize a full day of care. Tuition rates listed are for a traditional academic calendar from late August to early June. Fall 2023-24 enrollment, and tuition rates are now available on our Enrollment page, with summer rates and schedule options for enrolled families to be announced. Please join our mailing list for the latest on enrollment, open houses and other opportunities at Everbloom!
Our prepared and sensitive teachers are not only delivering a child-centered curriculum, they have a valued voice in leading the direction and growth of our community.
Launching Everbloom Montessori Cooperative is a passion project that has been a long time coming—driven by necessity and pushed from a dream into reality through the strained circumstances of a global pandemic. With a hope for the future and a vision of nurturing our youngest members of society into the compassionate global citizens this world needs, we are thrilled to have opened our doors for the fall 2021-22 school year.
Emily is a 25 year veteran of Early Childhood Education, primarily spent as lead of the Infant-Toddler program at Stepping Stones Montessori School.
Much of Emily’s focus in the classroom is to create a loving, trusted bond with her students. She also cares deeply about nurturing and empowering other educators in this important work of supporting families during critical early years.
Annie holds a M.A.T. in Secondary Education and came to Montessori in 2012 as an assistant in the infant room at Stepping Stones Montessori School. She completed her studies for Infant/Toddler Certification from the American Montessori Society in 2020.
Annie loves working with infants and toddlers, and has a passion for working with new parents as a support to them as they move into a new and momentous life experience.
Kate is a Design Strategist and Partner at Further Degree, a Strategy Innovation studio in Grand Rapids, MI. She has 10+ years of experience in the startup, business and non-profit space and has taken a particular interest in Montessori Philosophy since having children in 2017. Kate also served on the board of West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science in Walker, MI from 2014-2020
“The teacher, when [they] begin work in our schools, must have a kind of faith that the child will reveal [themself] through work.”
- Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind
Interested in getting involved? We have an incredible team in place and are looking forward to bringing other equally passionate and capable professionals into the mix. We are also currently seeking candidates to join our Board of Directors and as well as volunteers to participate in committee work. Reach out for more information!
Our space
We have two lovely facilities, totaling over 8,000sf facility near the intersection of Burton and Breton in SE Grand Rapids, with a beautiful outdoor space and easy access to the greater Grand Rapids metro area. We’re a short walk from three major bus lines (#5, #6, #24), and conveniently located near many other amenities including grocery, retail, pediatric, and other professional offices.