American Montessori Academy will continue to provide programming and Montessori education for children 8 weeks to 9 years of age, operating as an ECCC in accordance with Governor Pritzker’s (and other local) Stay at Home Executive Order — which closed all Illinois child care programs but later allowed providers to re-license as essential services, permitted to serve families with Essential Workers only.

The requirements [set by the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development (GOECD), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDHS), and Department of Children and Family Services( DCFS)] place more restrictive guidelines for maximum student group sizes, student and staff interactions between groups, a dedicated COVID-19 Emergency Child Care Center Risk Management Plan, and further health and safety measures.

American Montessori Academy is now a licensed Emergency Child Care Center, and we are proud to support families with essential workers with our Emergency Response Childcare program that operates from 7:30am to 3:30pm.

We will welcome back enrolled families, under its normal DCFS license, to start when the executive order is lifted. In the meantime, virtual learning will continue with expanded Montessori curriculum and other e-learning programming broadcast through Zoom, Seesaw and Google Classroom.

In addition to American Montessori Academy School’s COVID-19 Emergency Child Care Center Risk Management Plan, we have implemented strict health and safety measures to help control the spread of virus, including but not limited to:

• Temperature Checks for Fever (upon arrival and during school)
• Parent Limitations to Drop-off and Pick-up (see below), including one parent: to one child ratios at the door, accompanied by staff
• Regular Hand-washing (with CDC-approved practices) and Extremity Sanitation
• Efforts to Limit Close Personal Contact
• Posted Signage to Restrict Entry, as well as Educational Materials throughout Campus
• Wellness Checks and Stringent Monitoring for Presence of Symptoms throughout the day
• Exclusion of Staff and Students who Display Symptoms
• Cohort Children and School Faculty (students will be kept in the same group with same staff every day including meal, snack, rest and play periods, limited to 10 or less).
• Proximity Limitations and Enforced Hand Hygiene
• Ongoing Hygiene Awareness and Wellness Lessons (to help children avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth, etc.)
• Stocked Inventory of Advanced Cleaning and Disinfecting Materials (60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer solution and other FDA-approved / EPA-registered sanitation products, effective for virus-elimination)
• Intensified Cleaning and Disinfecting of Frequently Touched Items (including doorknobs, toys, communication and tech, and other items identified as frequently handled) and Areas After Child/Staff Leaves
• Increase Ventilation (by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning)
• Required Face Masks

Advanced Protocol for Students, Parents & Staff:

Staff Arrival:

• Required Commuter Masks and Gloves
• Assigned Staff Entry Door and Designated Decontamination Arrival Procedure (dispose of gloves, shoe change, hand washing, etc.)
• Morning Disinfection of Surfaces within Classroom, Doorknobs, Observation Windows, Light Switches, Sinks, Tables / Chairs, Classroom Materials, etc.
• Administrator and Health and Safety Member (HSM) Conducts Morning Cleaning of Community Areas + Outdoor Handles and Locks, Playground Door Sensor and Keypad
• Morning Disinfection & Sanitation Checklist

Students & Parents Arrival:

• Staff Meets Student Outside (parents will call before arrival and stay outside the playground gate)
• Administrator / HSM Takes Temperatures, Checks for Other Symptoms of Illness
• Shoe Change and Hand Washing

Throughout the Day:

• Regular Hand-washing and Ongoing Sanitization
• Mid-Day (AM) Disinfection & Sanitation Checklist
• Mid-Day (PM) Disinfection & Sanitation Checklist
• Mid-Day Temperature Check, Screening for Symptoms of Illness

Dismissal:

• Staff Meets Parent Outside (parents will call before arrival and stay outside the playground gate)
• Teachers Dispose of Garbage, Clean Floors and Surfaces, Disinfect Materials, other end of day tasks, Run Dishwasher, including appropriate materials for disinfection
• Administrator and Health and Safety Member Conduct Dismissal Cleaning of Community Areas (checklist at Front Desk)

We have adopted the Montessori Philosophy as our way of life — and believe with consistent, authentic methodology, we cultivate a meaningful and rewarding school experience for your child.

The Montessori Method of education is based on a deep respect for the individual child, recognizing that basic drivers of young children are to grow, learn, and develop a sense of order, a love of learning, self-confidence, inner discipline and concentration.

Learn more about our Montessori Way of Life (here), or view our Programs (here).

• Infant (8 weeks to 15 months)
• Toddler (15 to 24 months)
• Pre-Primary (24 to 47 months)
• Primary (3 to 6 years)
• Elementary (6 to 9 years)
• Remote Learning (all ages)

Families will need to determine if they fall under the definition of an Essential Worker.

• Currently Enrolled Families that self-define as essential workers must contact us to confirm their child(ren)’s attendance.
• Enrollment for New Families — including Essential Workers who wish to attend now or those seeking enrollment at a later date — must take the necessary steps associate with our enrollment and admissions process. We are in the process of updating our application to include Essential/Emergency Care criteria. For the time being, please indicate your intention for immediate enrollment in the notes section and we will expedite your application and confirm needed details.