Choosing the Right Pre-Primary Path for Your Four-Year-Old
Understanding your options in Nova Scotia
Both the provincial Pre-Primary program and Montessori House of Learning serve families in Nova Scotia, each with a different educational philosophy. The provincial program offers play-based learning at no cost, while our Montessori program combines play with structured academic preparation. Both support children's development—we simply offer different approaches to early learning.
What Montessori Offers
Our Preschool Senior program (ages 3-5) provides comprehensive academic preparation alongside social-emotional development.
Early Literacy Development
- • Hands-on phonics materials (sandpaper letters, moveable alphabet)
- • Self-paced progression from sound recognition to reading
- • Writing skills developed through practical life and sensorial work
- • Most children complete our program reading at a basic level
Mathematical Foundations
- • Concrete-to-abstract learning with Montessori math materials
- • Number sense, counting, operations, and early geometry
- • Problem-solving and logical thinking skills
- • Children perform basic addition and subtraction by program completion
Executive Function Skills
- • Concentration and focus through uninterrupted work periods
- • Self-regulation and decision-making
- • Time management and task completion
- • Independence in academic settings
Scientific Thinking
- • Hands-on exploration of botany, zoology, geography
- • Classification, observation, and hypothesis-testing
- • Practical experiments and discovery
- • Curiosity-driven learning
Grade Primary Readiness
- • Children enter Grade Primary reading, writing, and doing basic math
- • Strong work habits and self-directed learning skills
- • Confidence and independence in academic settings
- • Proven track record of school success
Program Comparison
| Aspect | Provincial Pre-Primary | Montessori House of Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Play-based learning | Montessori method with integrated play |
| Cost | Free (before/after care is fee-based) | Tuition-based with full-day care included |
| Academic Focus | Primarily social-emotional | Strong academic readiness + social-emotional development |
| Environment | School setting | Montessori classroom environment |
| Class Structure | Single age group (4-year-olds) | Mixed-age (3-5 years) |
| Hours | Part-time (requires separate before/after care) | Full-time care available (7:00 AM - 5:30 PM) |
| Curriculum | Play-based exploration | Structured Montessori materials for literacy, math, science, practical life |
| Grade Primary Preparation | Social-emotional readiness | Academic + social-emotional readiness |
Is Montessori Pre-Primary Right for Your Child?
Consider these questions to help determine the best fit for your family:
Are you looking for strong academic preparation before Grade Primary?
Do you want your child to enter Grade 1 with reading, writing, and math skills?
Does your child benefit from hands-on, concrete learning materials?
Are you interested in a proven curriculum with 100+ years of research?
Do you value small class sizes and individualized attention?
Is full-day care (7:00 AM - 5:30 PM) important for your family's schedule?
If you answered yes to several of these questions, our Montessori Preschool Senior program may be the right choice for your child.
Common Questions
How does tuition compare to the provincial program?
The provincial Pre-Primary program is free, though before and after school care (if needed) requires separate fees. Our tuition is $900/month and includes full-day care from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, eliminating the need for additional before/after care arrangements. We understand cost is an important factor—we're happy to discuss your family's specific needs during a consultation.
What if we choose provincial Pre-Primary but still want Montessori benefits?
We recommend Marcus Montessori Academy, which provides before and after school care with Montessori-aligned programming, plus pickup and drop-off services. This allows your child to benefit from both the free provincial program and Montessori enrichment.
What academic skills will my child have after the Montessori Pre-Primary year?
Most children complete our Preschool Senior program reading at a basic level, writing simple words and sentences, counting and performing basic addition/subtraction, and demonstrating strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They enter Grade Primary confident and academically prepared.
Can my child attend both programs?
No, both programs require full-time commitment during school hours. Families must choose one or the other for their child's Pre-Primary year.