Duarte- Now Enrolling

Early Education, Redesigned.

The Modern Schoolhouse blends research-backed curriculum, calm environments, and a deeply connected community to nurture confident, curious learners—starting in the first five years.

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Why TMS?

Welcome to The Modern Schoolhouse, where we recognize the critical importance of the first five years of your child's. Our thoughtfully designed, home-like environment, paired with cutting-edge practices, effectively supports your child's development and helps them realize their full potential. We take pride in our commitment to exceptional care, making sure that every family feels at home in our strong, supportive community.

Curriculum Development

Our in-house curriculum offers students weekly lessons based on a monthly theme, ensuring a rich and diverse learning experience. Each day, we focus on nurturing the whole child through intentional small-group instruction. When families join us, they receive exclusive curriculum materials to reinforce classroom learning and encourage practice at home.

Fostering Connections

At TMS, we understand the significance of staying connected with your child throughout the day, even when you're apart. That's why we focus on building strong relationships in four key areas: Teacher to Child, Teacher to Parent, Teacher to Teacher, and Teacher to Administration. Our commitment to fostering these connections ensures that every member of our community feels supported and engaged. Together, we create a nurturing environment that benefits everyone involved in your child's education.

Continual Improvement

Change is an inherent part of our journey, and our program embraces this truth. Through intentional teaching, we recognize the importance of adapting to the ever-evolving needs of the world. By doing so, we create the best opportunities for our students to thrive and succeed in a dynamic environment. Together, we can foster a mindset that values growth and transformation.

Our Foundational Building Blocks

Trusting The Process

Communication

Children are given tools to express themselves in healthy manners from simple conversational skills to problem-solving.

Leadership

Teachers and students model positive behavior, encourage and empower others by influencing the energy in the room.

Self-Regulation

Aware of their emotional zones, students are taught how to restore balance from behavioral and emotional responses.

Problem-Solving

Students are made aware and given techniques to find solutions in situations and conflict that better the outcome.

Mindfulness & Kindness

Focusing on being present and aware of not only ourselves, but those around us. Every day we wake up with kindness in our heart. Kind words, kind voice, kind heart.

Community Involvement

Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. Each year students help contribute to a yearly community service project.

Academic Excellence

Every opportunity is considered a teachable moment. Through these moments students are engaged in a competitive curriculum that readily prepare them for Kindergarten.

Growth & Independence

Using everyday adversity and learning to adapt to new discoveries and grow independently. We can do hard things!

Program Overview

Children are provided with a unique and safe educational experience, with building blocks to become confident, self-trusting, independent leaders. As a premier, modern day childcare facility, our program challenges students to be successful by nurturing their IQ, EQ, SQ, CQ, and AQ development.

Overview:

Dedicated to fostering children's social-emotional and cognitive development. Our curriculum enables children to recognize social signals, establish positive relationships, and understand personal space through structured activities. We systematically introduce basic sign language to enhance communication skills and track daily word counts to support language development. Additionally, our emphasis on outdoor play and motor skills ensures a comprehensive educational experience that promotes both perceptual and motor skill advancement.

Targeted Learning Foundations:

VISUAL: High Contrast | Tracking (Eye-Movement) | Basic Sign Language

AUDITORY: Teacher Cues | Verbal Communication | Transitions

SENSORY: Textures | Sounds | Tasting Foods

KINESTHETIC: Body Control | Exploring Capacity | Music - Body Movements

Overview:

Students are placed in a rich learning environment to help develop their building blocks and create trusting relationships with teachers. Our toddlers are given time to work on social skills, participate in group play, and learn independent skills. The relaxed, yet teacher-led environment allows children to explore different areas of the classroom for play, while engaging in free play and set activities to foster development.

Targeted Learning Foundations:

Approaches to learning self-regulation

Social-emotional development

Language & literacy development

Cognition, including introduction to math and science concepts

Physical development & health choices

Overview:

Teachers focus on the whole-child and create opportunities of growth by understanding student needs. Students are provided with time, personal tools, and resources, preparing them for a successful classroom journey. Through tailored, small-group instruction, students begin applying the early learned skills, and begin making understanding of real-world application in the classroom. Students are provided independent opportunities and taught through intentional modeling of classroom behaviors and expectations. By learning their voice matters, students focus on the intentional word choices to navigate their day to day interactions

Targeted Learning Foundations:

Self-regulation through color zones

Creating boundaries through communication

Building intimate peer and teacher connections

Academic readiness and assessments

Autonomy and resilience

Foster a sense of responsibility

Overview:

Our TK classroom runs with our preschool program. Additional preparation and small group instruction is given to students to ensure they have the acquired skills as they prepare to enter Kindergarten.

Targeted Learning Foundations:

Public speaking and confidence building

Tailored writing and reading implementation

Thorough academic assessments

Exploration and higher-level thinking

Complexity of lesson plans and topics of learning

Group work and peer collaboration

Sense of ownership through roles and modeling

Join The Wait!

Our Proactive Approach

The Five Quotients

Intelligence: A child's cognitive abilities, in particular language and arithmetic. By encouraging students to solve with strategy, teaches children to look at problems...

Our Daily Rhythm & Routines

Morning Circle

We welcome our students for the morning with warm hugs and hellos. As we prepare for the day, students review songs and concepts for the week, while interacting with their peers, and establishing a sense of self in the classroom.

Daily Focus

Each day students are engaged with daily activities that support the overarching monthly classroom themes. These lessons vary from ELA, art, math, science and music.

Structured Play

Students have time to engage in meaningful play independently, or in pairs. These activities foster both creative and new concepts of learning, while using familiar objects in the classroom.

PM Circle Time

Teachers and students reconnect for the afternoon for movement and story-time. This moment allows everyone to regroup and get started for the second-half of the day.

Independent Work

Developmental activities are set and rotated each week for students to engage in. These activities focus on fine motor, critical thinking and creative skills for a short work period. Students work independently and work on communication and conversational skills.

Free Play

At the top of the morning and end of the day, students are provided opportunities to explore and engage with materials in the classroom for play.

Snack Time

Students are provided a morning and afternoon snack break before/after outdoor play to replenish their bodies. Children are welcome to bring home snacks. Snack times are generally 9-10am and 2-3pm.

Lunch

Children come together and eat as a classroom. By connecting and nourishing their bodies, students are encouraged to engage in social interactions, while working on table manner skills. Lunch time occurs generally between 10:45-11:45am.

Nap & Rest

All students are provided and required an opportunity to rest between 12-2:30pm. Each child has an individual cot and infants sleep based on their own schedules.

Music Day

For our Spring Parent and Me performance, parents are invited to join in this potluck family-styled event. Children perform musical pieces based on their musical learnings from Music Friday's.

Parent Playdates

Parents will have the opportunity to join their child in the classroom, and come spend the morning with them as a special guest! We encourage parents to bring their child's favorite book to read for circle time!

Art Show

Each year, our program closes out the school year with our annual art show. These never before seen art pieces are placed on display for our families and friends to view. Enjoy some hors d'oeuvres, while kids enjoy fun filled activities!

Introducing Duarte!

Dear Families,

It was with great pride that we welcome our ground-breaking, early childhood education program to the city of Duarte. As a prominent educator, my goal has always been to bring our one of a kind program to local communities that value community and family. What makes us different is the intentionality we place into the program and the intricacies within our classrooms. Our research-driven philosophy is redesigning what childcare should be--a place where the whole-child is the center focus.

Below you will find our tour list sign up, as we plan to open doors this Winter 2025.

I truly look forward to having the opportunity to connect with you all, and sharing the passion of our mission in the early education world for your little ones.

Please Use This Form To Sign Up To Schedule A Tour.

Tours will take place this Fall/Winter 2025

(Accepting infants-5 years old)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are both part-time and full-time care available? TMS is currently for full-time enrollment only. From our social-emotional wellness approach and carefully curated lesson plans, we believe it is essential for students to receive all the benefits of our program by attending a full day.

What are the child to staff ratios? Our program prides providing small group instruction to all of or students. Children in our Toddlers Program have a 1:6 or 1:4 ratio and students in our preschool class have a 1:6-1:8 ratio based on the school site and classroom size. All staff have an educational background with years of experience working with children. Staff will follow state vaccine and vaccination protocols, CPR-certified, mandated reporter training and go through a background clearance.

How do you keep in touch with parents during the day? Our teachers and admin communicate with parents primarily through an app for day to day care. Teachers are available to message and provide daily photos of the focus lesson, and even reach out when they scrape their knees!

I am on the waitlist, how long is the typical waiting period? We are so excited to meet you. Generally, we estimate a 6-12 month+ waiting period for all new families based on location. Openings are also contingent on age, classroom and readiness of students.

Is TMS open all year around? We understand childcare is essential for our families. Our program is closed on all major holiday's, and we provide 6 staff state required development days. For both winter and summer, we are closed for 2 weeks each and families receive an academic calendar upon enrollment.

Are immunization records required? Yes, the state of California requires all children to or be in the process of receiving immunizations on a schedule. Please be sure to submit all updated records during the year for your child's file to remain up to date.

Is there a contract or set commitment for enrollment? We believe in the quality of care we provide our families, therefore we have tuition on a month to month basis with no required commitment. [Please see program policies for more information.]

Do all students participate in curriculum learning? Yes, depending on the classroom, our curriculum learning is embedded into the flow of the day naturally, supporting students through transitions as needed.

Do children nap? Can my child be opted out from napping? As a licensed facility, California requires all children in care to nap and rest for a specific amount of time. All students are provided a cot to rest, and cannot be opted out from napping. In the event your child no longer requires a nap, teachers encourage rest time to relax and decompress prior to the second half of the day.

Are parents allowed to stay inside the classroom? To support the natural separation process, families at the moment are unable to attend the class outside of morning drop-offs and pick-ups based on location.

Does my child need to be potty trained? Children who are under 3 y/o do not need to be potty trained. Our program offers potty training assistance for families emerging classrooms. However, for any child entering directly into a 3s classroom, should be potty trained before their date of enrollment.

How do you discipline students? Children require connection, and while they are learning how they fit into the world, there will be times where redirection and boundaries are required. Each classroom is equipped with a safe space that provides the comfort of allowing children to feel their big emotions, while navigating them in healthy manners. Students are able to reset in the area for as long as it takes, and a teacher is generally nearby to provide support. Safe spaces come with sensory toys, family books and/or pictures to allow comfort. The safe place is used for emotional regulation, and not a time-out or punishment as we do not believe in these practices.

What is the sick policy? Our program follows specific guidelines for any illness. Children will need to be symptom and medication free for 24-hours prior to returning. Based on the illness, children may need to provide a doctor's clearance note to return back to class to ensure the health and safety of everyone. Our program does not administer any medication and alternative arrangements should be made with admin. In the event children fall ill at school, students will be isolated and parents will be notified with a request of an immediate pick-up.

How do plan for emergencies? Staff is trained to handle emergencies such as fire, earthquake and shelter in place. Each month, these drills are practiced. In the event of any site specific related emergencies, parents will be notified directly through the app.

How do you handle conflict resolution between children? Through the skills of Conscious Discipline, we align conflicts that arise in the classroom with the skill of positive intent. We support through navigating these conversations and learning to practice our big voices. Teachers are always there to provide support and nurture, while displaying the appropriate steps to teach resiliency and self-advocacy.

How is the facility maintained? Our program prides itself in keeping things clean. All students remove their shoes when indoors, (indoor shoes are allowed, if needed.) and we practice safe hygiene practices of hand-washing throughout the day. Teacher perform 2 daily cleans in their classrooms, including sweeping and mopping in both the AM and PM. Toys are disinfected and sanitized, all while using natural cleaning products. Each site has professional cleaning services set up, including natural sanitization fogging services.

What is the process of unenrolling? In the event any family wishes to exit TMS, parents are required to notify admin 60-days prior. At that time, we will have parents sign a release of care form. Families are responsible to pay for the any outstanding balances, or penalties due to failure to provide adequate notice.

Can I opt my child out of social media posting? Yes, we respect the privacy of all of our families. During the enrollment period, any family that wishes to opt out of having their child used for social media, website and other school-related promos, will sign-off on the media consent form.

Do siblings receive priority? Yes! We welcome siblings and understand the support it provides our families. Based on the age requirements for each program, any family interested for siblings should notify admin in order to be added to the waitlist.

How do you celebrate birthdays and holidays? At TMS, we love birthdays and welcome small celebrations in the classroom. Birthday treats may be brought in, as long as they are school friendly, and store bought. Celebrations take place in the afternoon for snack time and parents may attend. Holidays are special for each family, and we appreciate the diversity and traditions. Understanding that all families have their own value system, at TMS, we appreciate and celebrate the seasons, but do not celebrate holidays.