MCC Staff

About our Children’s Community

The Montessori Children’s Community opened September 5, 2006 in the heart of the Cambie/Oakridge area in Vancouver.

Our Dedication

The Montessori Children’s Community is committed to supporting the wholesome growth and development of the human
personality during the formative years of childhood. This is through the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. In this way,
we can assist the child, not only in his natural quest for knowledge and independence, but also in his task of
creating himself and in striving to realize his potential. This embodies Dr. Montessori’s principle of education as
an aid to life.

A Pilot Project

The Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia has been granted special permission to develop a Montessori prepared environment for children 3 to 6+ years of age following the criteria required by the Association Montessori Internationale for school recognition. Currently some B.C. regulations restrict Montessori schools from following such criteria.

The Montessori Children’s Community will be a Pilot Project for British Columbia. The objectives of this Project are to establish a model class to demonstrate the excellent quality A.M.I. criteria promote and secondly, by working in collaboration with the Community Care Licensing Office in Vancouver, to define a procedure that can be followed by other Montessori schools in B.C. which choose to operate according to A.M.I. requirements.

Research for the Pilot Project

To meet the objectives of the Pilot Project, we will be required to provide current research. Parents registering
their children in this programme acknowledge this and agree that current research practices will be implemented,
such as videos, photographs and documentation all within recognized privacy boundaries. All information and
documentation collected will be used specifically for research.

The Eden Philosophy

We are most excited to be located at Youville Residence – a seniors’ home operated by Providence Health Centre. The
Youville coordinators have welcomed us enthusiastically. Recently they embraced the Eden Philosophy, one of the
guiding principles being: ” An Elder-centered community commits to creating a Human Habitat where life revolves
around close and continuing contact with plants, animals and children. It is these relationships that provide the
young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.” As our program has developed, we have found ways to
positively affect the lives of the seniors. This adds a wonderful dimension to our children’s program as well as to
the lives of the residents at Youville.

The School Administrator

Rika Motohashi was born and raised in beautiful Vancouver, and has joined the MCC staff as School Administrator.  Rika’s childhood dream of teaching young children came true when she discovered and pursued a career in Montessori Primary education here at the MTCBC in 2007.  She has been working in the Vancouver Montessori community as a Guide and Administrator bringing the wonder of Montessori to life with children and their families ever since.  She is a Montessori parent of two lovely daughters who both attend Montessori schools.  Rika brings her passion for Montessori and divides her exceptional skill set as an Administrator between the Montessori Children’s Community and the MTCBC.

The Directress

Gilda Bonnet

 
Parent Study Programme

The Montessori Children’s Community gives parents the opportunity to participate in an interesting and
dynamic Parent Study programme which harmonizes developmental practices in the home and the school. This
will be presented by Eduardo Cuevas, the Director of Training of the Montessori Training Centre of BC,
and staff. As well as his many years training Montessori teachers, Eduardo has extensive experience as a
Montessori teacher, school administrator and Director of Parent Education programmes. All parents
enrolling their child at the MCC are required to attend these monthly programmes.

As an Observation Site

As part of the students’ training, the MTC of BC uses many of the Montessori schools in the Lower
Mainland for observation and practice teaching. The Montessori Children’s Community will be one of
the sites used by the training centre. Clear, strict guidelines are given to observers, as it is
important this is done without interacting with the children. The ability to guide children’s
development based on keen observation of children’s activity is an essential quality of a Montessori
teacher. The Montessori Children’s Community will also be used as a Practicum site for MTC of BC students.

Downloadable Information

Notice of License

DESIGNATED B.C. PRIVATE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS BRANCH & Shield Design mark is a certification mark owned by the Government of British Columbia and used under license.

Copyright 2016 Montessori Training Center of BC