Throughout
this year, our staff, families, and community will engage in a
collaborative process to develop a shared mission and vision that
reflects who we are today, the community we are building together, and
our aspirations for the continued growth of Mini-Mounties. We look
forward to honoring where we began while thoughtfully defining where we
are going, together.
Vision
In
our Mini-Mounties program, we envision a warm, dynamic, and nurturing
early learning environment where every child, regardless of ability, is
valued, encouraged, and supported to reach their fullest potential. We
believe in fostering a community where children experience meaningful
relationships, diverse learning opportunities, and a strong foundation
for lifelong learning. We celebrate each child’s unique journey and are
committed to helping them grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy.
Mission
Our
mission is to provide high-quality, inclusive early education that
nurtures the intellectual, social, and emotional development of every
child. We do this by:
Inclusive Education: We
offer both general and special education classes, ensuring that
children in special education have meaningful opportunities to learn
alongside peers in general education settings. This inclusive approach
fosters belonging, builds empathy, and enriches the learning experience
for everyone.
Tools of the Mind Curriculum: Our
classrooms use the Tools of the Mind curriculum, a research-based,
play-centered approach that supports early childhood development.
Through purposeful play, children develop the cognitive, social, and
emotional skills that set the stage for future success.
Community Partnership: As
part of Montclair’s universal Pre-K program, we collaborate closely
with classrooms across the district. This district-wide partnership
allows us to share ideas, resources, and experiences that strengthen our
program and benefit all children.
Educational Philosophy
Originally
established over 21 years ago as a special education program, the
Mini-Mounties has evolved and grown. Since expanding in 2021 through the
preschool expansion grant, and now with eleven general education
classrooms for the 2026–2027 school year, we remain deeply committed to
creating an exceptional early learning experience for every child.Thank you for being part of the Mini-Mounties family. We look forward to a joyful year filled with learning, discovery, and growth, together.
Class Size and Program Model
The
Mini-Mounties @ MELA Preschool Program is thoughtfully designed to
provide every child with a safe, supportive, and engaging learning
environment. This year, our program includes 13 mixed-age classrooms: 11 general education classrooms and 2 special education classrooms. General education classrooms are limited to a maximum of 15 children and are staffed by one certified preschool teacher and one full-time teacher assistant. Special education classrooms have a maximum enrollment of 12 children, allowing for individualized instruction and support to meet students' unique learning needs. Our
collaborative teaching model allows educators to build strong
relationships with each child, provide individualized attention,
encourage meaningful conversations and play, and create rich learning
experiences that foster curiosity, confidence, independence, and a
lifelong love of learning. Children remain with their classmates and
teaching team throughout the school day, both indoors and during outdoor
play, creating a consistent and nurturing environment that supports
their social-emotional development and sense of belonging. In
addition to the classroom teaching teams, our preschool program is
supported by a dedicated group of early childhood professionals,
including Preschool Instructional Coaches (PIC), Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialists (PIRS), Community Parent Involvement Specialist (CPIS)/Social Worker, and Collaborative Consultation Teacher (CCT).
Together, these professionals partner with teachers and families to
ensure that every child receives the support, encouragement, and
high-quality learning experiences they need to thrive.
Preschool Daily Schedule
A
predictable daily routine helps young children feel safe, confident,
and ready to learn. Each preschool classroom follows a thoughtfully
planned schedule that balances teacher-guided instruction with
child-initiated exploration, providing opportunities for children to
learn through play, build relationships, and develop independence. Throughout the day, children participate
in a variety of engaging experiences, including whole-group meetings,
small-group instruction, learning centers, gross motor activities,
meals, rest time, and transitions that support all areas of development.
Through these experiences, children build foundational knowledge and
skills in early literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social
studies, and the arts while strengthening their language,
social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Our curriculum
encourages children to explore, question, create, collaborate, and solve
problems through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that nurture
curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. Classroom teachers will
share the specific daily schedule for your child's classroom at the
beginning of the school year. Daily
gross motor time is an essential part of our preschool program and
takes place outdoors whenever weather conditions permit. Time spent
outdoors promotes healthy physical development, encourages exploration,
and provides children with opportunities to strengthen large motor
skills, collaborate with peers, and engage with the natural environment.
In addition to using the playground, teachers incorporate outdoor
learning experiences through activities in designated outdoor spaces,
nature explorations, and neighborhood walks that extend learning beyond
the classroom. When weather conditions make outdoor activities unsafe,
such as during active precipitation, weather advisories, or extreme
temperatures, children participate in gross motor activities in an
indoor gross motor space. Morning
and afternoon snack times are incorporated into each classroom's daily
schedule, providing children with opportunities to refuel, practice
independence, and engage in social interactions with their classmates.
Following lunch, children participate in a quiet rest period, as
required by New Jersey state regulations, before returning to afternoon
learning activities.