The length of the Maternelle (preschool) program is either two or three years. Each year is designed to serve the needs of the following age groups: two-year-olds (Toute Petite Section - TPS or Nursery), three-year-olds (Petite Section - Junior-Pre-k), four/five-year-olds (Moyenne Section – MS or Pre-K), and five/six-years-olds (Grande Section - Pre-K) . Children are placed in a group according to their age and skills. Since Maternelle is a first experience with school, we understand that some children may benefit from a part-time program where all fundamentals are introduced gradually.  For that reason, our school offers a two or three-day-per week option.

Au P’tit Monde’s approach provides for two teachers in every classroom. The low ratio of teachers to students allows for small group learning and individual instruction, meeting the needs of each student.

Toute Petite Section (TPS or Nursery) Toilet training not required.

The French Maternal School’s curriculum for 2s is designed to introduce children to school gradually. It offers a loving and nurturing environment where children learn to build relationships with their peers and develop community-based routines. Children will learn to become independent, use their five senses, explore their creativity and imagination through arts and craft projects, and will develop their gross motor skills through various physical activities. Great emphasis will be given to the development of language. Children can attend 2, 3 or 5 days per week.

Petite Section (PS or Junior-Pre-k)

The curriculum for the 3s offers formal and structured activities for developing reading and writing skills: promotion of phonological and phonemic awareness and building of alphabetic skills including letter identification. Calligraphy and pre-writing are also introduced, specifically with the writing of the first name.

Curriculum for this age group includes plenty of arts and crafts projects as well as an introduction to music through discovery of instruments and a musical piece study. Students can attend on a two, three or five-day-per week basis (two days per week if the child has been exposed to French prior to entering the program).

Moyenne Section (MS or Pre-k)

The curriculum prepares 4s  for more formal and structured activities in view of entry into Kindergarten. The program emphasizes the acquisition of the fundamentals of learning: letters & numbers, numbers and quantity, problem solving, and creative thinking that provide numerous avenues leading toward the goal of literacy. Focus is on written and oral language structure, time and space concepts, adding and subtracting, independence and perseverance in work habits.

Curriculum for this age group includes arts and crafts projects as well as an introduction to music, some music theory and instrumental practice. Students can attend two, three or five days per week.

Grande Section (Pre-K)

The last year of the Maternelle (5s) is an important transition between the preschool years and the elementary years. It offers the tools for a successful First grade and more specifically targets literacy and math reasoning. Focus is on written and oral language structure, time and space concepts, adding and subtracting, independence and perseverance in work habits. Music and instrumental practice are included in the curriculum as a way to support learning of the arts and individual creativity. The teaching of core virtues takes all of its dimension and students are expected to demonstrate a specific set of moral and intellectual values. All aspects of the Primary Skills as described in the curriculum must be achieved by the end of the Grande Section. Students typically attend five days per week. Class size is 13-14 students.