About Us
The Montessori Children’s Community opened September 5, 2006 in the heart of the Cambie/Oakridge area in Vancouver.
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.
The Montessori Training Centre of British Columbia was 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 Pilot Project ended in 2022 but we continue to demonstrate the excellent quality that A.M.I. criteria promotes.
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.
Montessori Training Centre of BC. She is a certified Infant Massage Instructor and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree
with a major in Economics from the University of British Columbia. Kristina has worked as a primary guide and as an
Assistant to Infancy in a Montessori Parent-Infant Program. Parents may contact Kristina directly at 604-261-0863 or by email at mcc@mtcbc-ami.org to discuss Administration and
Registration matters or to request a meeting.
Ms. Sepideh Andalib completed her Masters’ Degree in Library Science at the University of Tehran and later
completed her AMI Primary Teacher Training at the Montessori Training Centre of BC. Following her teacher
training she went on to work at a local Montessori school for four years. When the MCC opened in 2006, Sepideh
began working as the Course Assistant at the Montessori Training Centre and as the Program Assistant in the
morning portion of the program at the MCC; a position she held for four years. Sepideh has a deep sense of
commitment and enjoyment in her work in Montessori education.
she worked in child care centres. Upon immigrating to Canada in 2001 with her husband and daughters, she
continued to work in the Early Childhood Education field. Mrs. Belakova was very pleased to join the
Montessori Children’s Community in 2010 and enjoys very much the Montessori approach to education.
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 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.