🍼 Infant Programme · 0 – 17 months
📍 Offered at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer

The very beginning

A safe, loving start — from the very first day

Leaving your baby in someone else's care for the first time is one of the hardest things a parent can do. At Roots Montessori, we understand that completely — and our Infant Programme is built around making that transition feel warm, safe and wholly natural, at either of our two locations.

Rooted in the Montessori philosophy, our infant rooms are calm, unhurried environments where your baby is never rushed and always seen as a unique individual. Every routine — feeding, sleeping, diapering, floor time — is carried out with mindfulness and genuine warmth by a consistent small team of educators who truly come to know and love your child.

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Consistent, loving care

A dedicated primary educator forms a secure bond with your baby, providing consistent, responsive care every day.

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Calm, prepared environment

Our infant rooms are thoughtfully designed — low lighting, natural materials, gentle music and freedom of movement.

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Daily parent updates

We share photos, feeding logs, sleep records and developmental observations every day so you feel connected.

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Sensory-rich discovery

Natural textures, gentle sound, safe objects to grasp — every experience supports your baby's rapid development.

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Your routines, honoured

We follow the feeding and sleep schedule you establish at home, at whichever location you choose.

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Outdoor time daily

Weather permitting, infants enjoy fresh air in our sheltered outdoor spaces at both centres.

A typical day in the Infant Room

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6:30 – 8:30am
Arrival & settling
Warm welcome, parent handover notes reviewed, baby settles with their primary educator.
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8:30 – 10:30am
Floor play & sensory exploration
Free movement on safe mats, natural objects to explore, gentle music and educator interaction.
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Throughout the day
Feeding & napping on your schedule
We follow each baby's individual feeding and sleep rhythm — never a one-size-fits-all timetable.
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Weather permitting
Outdoor time
Pram walks, fresh air and gentle nature observation in our safe outdoor spaces.
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Afternoon
Story, song & gentle wind-down
Board books, lullabies and calm educator-led interaction prepare babies for home time.
1:3Educator ratio
0–17Months
2Locations available
🍼 Enquire about infant care →
🧸 Toddler Programme · 18 – 35 months
📍 Offered at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer

The age of discovery

"I do it myself!" — honouring the toddler spirit

Toddlers are among the most extraordinary learners on earth. The Montessori philosophy recognises and celebrates this — and our Toddler Programme, at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer, is built entirely around the toddler's deep, irresistible drive for independence.

Our toddler rooms are carefully prepared environments where every object is child-sized, every routine builds competence and every interaction from an educator builds language and self-confidence. We resist the urge to do things for toddlers and instead create the conditions in which they can do things for themselves.

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Language explosion

Rich vocabulary modelling, songs, stories and genuine conversation with educators all day long.

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Practical life skills

Pouring water, spooning beans, washing hands — real activities that build fine motor skills and self-esteem.

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Creative expression

Painting, collage, playdough, building — open-ended art that honours process over product.

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Nature & outdoor play

Digging, collecting leaves, observing bugs — the outdoors is a classroom in itself at both locations.

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Social beginnings

Learning to wait, to share, to notice another child's feelings — guided gently with empathy.

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Early literacy & numeracy

Sandpaper letters, number rods, simple books — early encounters that feel like play.

A typical day in the Toddler Room

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6:30 – 8:30am
Arrival & free work time
Children arrive and choose their own work from the prepared environment.
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8:30am
Morning snack
Fresh fruit and wholesome snacks at a child-sized table — children pour their own water.
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9:00 – 11:00am
Montessori work cycle
Uninterrupted child-led activity with Montessori materials, art and sensory play.
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11:00am
Outdoor play
Daily outdoor time in all Alberta weather — active play and nature exploration.
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11:45am
Lunch
A warm, nutritious meal eaten together at child-sized tables.
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12:30 – 2:30pm
Rest time
Quiet rest on individual mats — those who don't sleep engage in calm activities.
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2:30 – 6:00pm
Afternoon activities & home time
Afternoon snack, outdoor play, story time and songs before pickup.
1:6Educator ratio
18–35Months
2Locations available
🧸 Enquire about toddler care →
🎨 Preschool Programme · 3 – 5 years
📍 Offered at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer

Ready for everything

Building the foundations for a lifetime of learning

The preschool years are among the most intellectually remarkable in a human life. At Roots Montessori — whether at Cartmell Place or Pioneer — our Preschool Programme is built on the conviction that every child is a natural, self-motivated learner.

Given the right environment, the right materials and the right relationship with an educator who truly sees them — children of this age don't just learn, they thrive. Our preschool graduates from both locations consistently arrive at kindergarten confident, capable and genuinely in love with learning.

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Early literacy

Sandpaper letters, moveable alphabet and rich storytelling — many of our preschoolers read before kindergarten.

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Mathematical thinking

Montessori golden beads and counting chains build genuine numerical understanding.

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Science & nature

Planting seeds, observing insects and exploring how the world works — joyful inquiry from age three.

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Creative arts

Drawing, painting, music, movement and dramatic play — creative expression nurtured as a core human capacity.

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Cultural awareness

Geography, world cultures and celebrations — a curious, respectful view of the world.

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Kindergarten readiness

Social skills, concentration, independence and academic foundations — our graduates are ready for everything.

A typical day in the Preschool Room

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6:30 – 8:30am
Arrival & morning work cycle begins
Children arrive and immediately choose their own work.
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8:30am
Morning snack — community style
Children set the table, serve themselves and eat together.
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9:00 – 11:30am
Extended Montessori work cycle
Uninterrupted deep work — language, mathematics, sensorial materials, art and practical life.
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11:30am
Outdoor time & physical play
Gross motor play, gardening and collaborative outdoor games every day.
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12:15pm
Lunch together
A warm, freshly prepared meal — children help serve, clear and wipe down.
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1:00 – 2:30pm
Rest & quiet activity
Rest mats for those who need sleep; calm activity for those who don't.
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2:30 – 6:00pm
Afternoon enrichment & home time
Music, storytelling, group projects and outdoor play before pickup.
1:8Educator ratio
3–5Years
2Locations available
🎨 Enquire about preschool →
🎒 Kindergarten Programme
📍 Offered at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer

The bridge to big school

A confident, joyful step into kindergarten

Our Kindergarten Programme carries everything a child has built in Preschool — independence, concentration, a love of learning — into a more structured, elementary-ready rhythm. It's the bridge between Montessori early childhood and the school years ahead.

Children at this age crave purpose and responsibility. Our kindergarten classrooms lean into that: real leadership roles, longer work cycles, and academic material that stretches without ever feeling rushed. Whether a family continues with us for Grade 1 or moves on to their community school, our kindergarten graduates arrive prepared, self-assured and genuinely excited to learn.

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Reading & writing fluency

Phonics, handwriting and independent reading practice building on Montessori language foundations.

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Early arithmetic

Place value, simple addition and subtraction using hands-on Montessori maths materials.

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Leadership & responsibility

As the eldest in a mixed-age room, kindergartners mentor younger children and lead group activities.

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Problem solving

Logic puzzles, science investigations and open-ended projects that build resilience and reasoning.

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School-ready routines

Longer focused work periods, following multi-step instructions and increasing independence.

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Community & celebration

Class jobs, show-and-tell and end-of-year milestones that make this year feel truly special.

A typical day in the Kindergarten Room

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6:30 – 8:30am
Arrival & morning work cycle
Children arrive, greet their educator and settle into self-chosen work.
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8:30am
Morning snack
A community snack table, set and cleared by the children themselves.
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9:00 – 11:30am
Literacy & numeracy work cycle
Focused small-group and individual lessons in reading, writing and early maths.
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11:30am
Outdoor play
Active outdoor games and gross motor play, rain or shine.
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12:15pm
Lunch together
A warm meal eaten and cleared up together as a class community.
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1:00 – 2:30pm
Science, culture & project work
Investigations, geography and hands-on projects that build curiosity and confidence.
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2:30 – 6:00pm
Enrichment & home time
Music, art, storytelling and free play before pickup.
1:10Educator ratio
5–6Years
2Locations available
🎒 Enquire about kindergarten →
🏃 Out-of-School Care (OSC)
📍 Offered at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer

Before school, after school, every school day

A trusted place for your school-age child

Our Out-of-School Care programme supports children from Grade 1 through age 12 — before school, after school, on non-instructional days, and through the full summer break. It's built for busy families who want their child somewhere warm, safe and genuinely enjoyable outside of school hours.

Children in our OSC programme get help with homework, plenty of active free play, and a rotating menu of clubs, crafts and games chosen with their input. We coordinate directly with local schools for pickup and drop-off, so parents can trust the whole day is covered — not just the hours in the classroom.

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Homework support

A quiet, supervised space to finish homework before free time begins.

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Active outdoor play

Sports, games and free play every single day, weather permitting.

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Clubs & crafts

Rotating interest clubs — art, building, cooking and more — chosen with children's input.

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School pickup & drop-off

Coordinated transport to and from partner schools, so the whole day is covered.

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Full-day summer & PD days

Full-day care with excursions and themed weeks on school closures and summer break.

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Peer community

A consistent group of friends across the school year — genuine friendships, not just childcare.

A typical school day with OSC

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6:30 – 8:00am
Before-school care
Breakfast snack, quiet activities, then supervised walk or drive to school.
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School day
Child attends their regular school
Our team collects children directly from partner schools at dismissal.
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3:00pm
Arrival & afternoon snack
A hearty snack while children unwind and chat about their day.
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3:30 – 4:15pm
Homework time
Quiet, supervised space to complete homework before free time.
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4:15 – 5:30pm
Clubs & active play
Sports, clubs, crafts and outdoor games chosen by the children.
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5:30 – 6:00pm
Wind-down & home time
Quiet games and free choice activities while families arrive for pickup.
1:15Educator ratio
6–12Years
2Locations available
🏃 Enquire about OSC →

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before enrolling — and if your question isn't here, just get in touch and we'll answer it personally.

Are programmes the same at both locations?

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Yes — Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten and OSC programmes all follow the identical Montessori curriculum and daily rhythm at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer. The only difference is the physical space and the families in each community.

Do you accept the Alberta CWELCC child care subsidy?

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Yes — both Cartmell Place and Pioneer participate in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care programme. We can walk you through the application process at your tour.

What are your hours and do you offer part-time care?

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Both locations are open Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:00pm. We offer full-time and part-time placements at each branch, subject to availability.

What does a typical settling-in period look like?

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Every child settles at their own pace. We plan a gentle two-week settling-in period at either location — starting with short visits and building gradually to full days.

Are meals and snacks included in the fees?

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Yes — all meals and snacks are included at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer, prepared fresh on-site daily. All allergies and dietary needs are fully accommodated.

How do I get started — what is the enrolment process?

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It starts with a simple enquiry — fill in the form on our home page and let us know your preferred location. We'll invite you for a tour where you can meet the team and see the classrooms in person.

Limited spaces available

Ready to find the perfect programme for your child?

Spaces fill quickly at both Cartmell Place and Pioneer — especially for Infant and Toddler care. Get in touch today to arrange a tour and secure your child's place, from infancy right through to Out-of-School Care.

🌸 Enquire & book a tour 📞 Call us directly