Frequently Asked Questions & Interesting Resources
What should we bring?
For our Toddler classes:
Every Day:
· A water bottle filled with water
· Sunscreen and bug spray applied at home before school
· Lunch and an afternoon snack (for full-day children)
At the Start of Each Week:
· A sunhat to be kept at school until Friday (it will be sent home for washing)
· Bedding for full-day children who nap at school (sent home each Friday for washing)
Please note: The Department of Education requires that each child’s bedding be stored in a separate bag. Kindly pack the bedding in a fabric bag or pillowcase from home (no plastic bags, please!).
To Keep in Your Child’s Cubby:
· A few sets of spare clothes as we get messy!! (tops, bottoms, underwear)
To Bring the First Week of School:
· A family photo to be kept in our classroom on our class family tree. The children love looking at their photos and it is a wonderful way to facilitate conversation amongst peers and sometimes to comfort children as well as they settle into a new environment.
A Gentle Reminder:
Please label all your child's belongings—water bottles, hats, clothing, bedding, lunch containers, etc. This ensures your child uses the correct items and greatly increases the chances of misplaced items being returned.
For our Casa classes:
Every day:
· A water bottle filled with water
· Sunscreen and bug spray applied at home before school
· Lunch and an afternoon snack (for full-day children)
At the Start of Each Week:
· A sunhat to be kept at school until Friday (it will be sent home for washing)
To Bring the First Week of School:
· A pair of indoor shoes to be kept at school (crocs on other shoes your child can take off and put on themselves. We will work towards this together as we settle into the classroom routine)
· A family photo to be kept in our classroom on our class family tree.
· A few sets of spare clothes as we get messy!! (tops, bottoms, underwear)
Are you connected to Island Primary and do Island Montessori students get priority entry to Island Primary?
No, we are not formally connected but we are good friends with them, if you are interested in registering your child please contact IP directly. We encourage, and strongly suggest, that families register early as we have no influence over enrollments at Island Primary or any other school.
Who naps?
Our full day toddler children nap each afternoon after lunch, but our Casa full day children do not nap. We cannot accommodate Toddler full day students who do not nap, and equally we are not able to accommodate Casa children who do nap.
Do Casa children need to be fully potty trained?
Yes, we do require our Casa children to be fully potty trained. To clarify, this means your child is consistently in underwear full-time (not diapers or pull-ups) both at home and at school; Communicates or responds to the need to use the toilet; Can physically manage their clothing with minimal help, and, Understands and participates in basic hygiene (wiping, flushing, handwashing).
We understand accidents happen occasionally, especially in new environments. However, regular daily accidents are a sign that a child is not fully ready. In such cases, families may be asked to delay their Casa start, return to the Toddler environment if space allows, or consider a modified schedule such as half-days until toileting independence is more secure.
Does my toddler child need to be potty trained?
No! We can help with that 😊 please speak to your child’s teacher directly if you have any questions or are wondering if your child is ready.
What does a typical day look like?
Please see below attachments for information including our daily routines, what to bring, and curriculum for both our Toddler and Casa classes.
Microsoft Word - IM Handbook Supplement - Toddler 2025
Microsoft Word - IM Handbook Supplement - Casa 2025-26
What is Montessori all about?
The Montessori philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-directed learning, independence, and hands-on, real-life experiences. Montessori focuses on creating a supportive environment where children are encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace with the ultimate goal being independence. In a Montessori classroom, children are considered active participants in their learning, with teachers acting as guides rather than traditional lessons or worksheets or rote memorization. The approach promotes respect, responsibility, and a love for learning, allowing children to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills in a natural and nurturing setting and creating what Montessori called “citizens of the world.”
What is your withdrawal policy?
One month WRITTEN notice
Do you provide snack or lunch?
We provide a healthy snack, but full day students need to pack a lunch. We suggest lunches have a cold pack although the lunch boxes are kept inside in the ac. Our staff will help children with their lunches as needed, but we do suggest containers they can open when possible.
I’m running late.. how does aftercare work?
Aftercare can be used on an ‘as needed' basis, but please message your class teacher to let them know. If a child is not usually in aftercare it is helpful to know the caregivers are aware and it was not a miscommunication regarding pickup. Children not collected by the end of the full school day (3pm) will automatically be placed into Aftercare. Aftercare ends at 5pm and late charges will apply for children collected after that.
Do you run any term break or summer camps?
Yes! We offer camps typically during the October mid-term, Christmas (before Christmas), February (Ash Wednesday) mid-term, Easter break (first week of Easter break) and for all of July. More info will be sent in advance of each camp.
Do you have cameras that parents can log into to see my child during the day?
No, we do not.
What curriculum do you follow?
The short answer is Montessori with a flexible approach. We follow the Montessori philosophy of learning being self-paced and child led. We use Montessori materials in our carefully prepared classroom environments. We believe Montessori herself would adapt as the world changes, so we do as well so you will also see work that might not be “traditional” Montessori materials. All schools in the Cayman Islands are required to follow, and are inspected on, the Cayman Islands Early Years Framework. The Montessori approach and curriculum fit naturally and easily into the Eary Years Framework. Please see attached information on Montessori work for more specific information. A large part of Montessori at this age is preparation for future learning. Before we expect children to write, we give them many opportunities to manipulate materials, knead dough when making playdough, carry heavy real-life materials, etc; before they read, they are exposed to a language rich environment; rather than rote counting they learn the symbols for each number, then the quantity, then the symbols and quantities so they have a real understanding of the connection. Montessori is about slowing down and not rushing children to where they “need to be” next but meeting them where they are and embracing that journey, so children grow as self-directed and self-reflective learners eager to explore the world around them and confident in their own abilities to do so.
Do you have sit-down lessons though? What about worksheets?
In a Montessori classroom, we do not rely on traditional sit-down lessons or worksheets. Instead, children receive individual or small-group presentations with hands-on materials. They then are given the time and space to practice these materials independently while mastering them and building concentration in the process. This approach builds deep understanding and independence, rather than rote memorization.
Why does my Toddler need so many spare clothes? Why do they come home changed and with a bag of wet clothes so often?
We love messy play, and it is good for children's development! We allow children free access to water play, have frequent messy play, daily sensory play and we often cook with the children. Art is process based, not product based, and children are free to explore activities such as painting with their bodies without pressure to keep their clothes clean. We do not want them to worry about their clothes more than the enjoyment and learning they get out of this kind of important play. We always suggest you send clothes you do not mind getting messy as well as several spare sets. We change the children as needed and when they are finished with messy, or water play and send the clothes home to you. We provide each child with an Island Montessori t-shirt. They are not required to wear these, but it can be a good option if you do not want home clothes dirty. More are available for purchase, please contact your classroom teacher to do so.
Can my child skip water/sensory play if they have a cold?
If a child is well enough to come to school, then our approach is that they are well enough to participate in all our daily activities. If you have any concerns about this kind of play, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
What if my child is advanced in certain areas? Can my advanced Toddler be in Casa instead?
We are regularly observing and monitoring all the children’s development in the following areas: communication and language; personal, social, and emotional; cognitive; physical; and expressive art. Montessori is designed to meet children where they are developmentally and to nurture the whole child. Often, when a child is “advanced” in one area, we find they are working towards other areas of development with their peers of the same age. Our Casa teachers find that the children who have spent time in our Toddler program are more likely to be ready for the more advanced Casa work as they have spent time in Toddlers being part of a classroom community working on their emotional regulation, boundaries for themselves and others, communication and language as well as their physical development in age appropriate ways, all of which sets them up for future learning.
My child was sent home sick, but they don’t seem too bad. Can I send my child to school if they seem ok after medicine?
We understand your child being off sick can be difficult childcare wise. However, we have an illness policy in place to try and prevent the spread of inevitable childhood sickness. Please check our illness policy for details and ask your child’s teacher if you are unsure if they should be at school. If your child needs medication (even an over the counter one) to get through the day then they are not well enough for school, even if they perk up after medication. Young children need to rest when they are unwell, and we find the children who are sent back to school still not well take longer to recover than those given time to properly do so. Children will often perk up after medication and home allows for more rest and one-on-one care as needed where school does not. A fever is not the only reason to stay home, if your child is not well enough to participate in the day-to-day activities of the classroom then they are not well enough for school and will not enjoy their day or benefit from it.
Helpful Resources
Below you will find links to various documents and resources applicable to our Toddler children which we hope you will find useful. This page is a work in progress so please check back regularly for more updates. If you would like tips/ideas on any specific items please let us know!