Liz B.

Both of our sons attend Ava Wanas Montessori. Our oldest started when he was just 2 and a half. He's now four, and over the last year and a half, we've seen his independence and confidence grow exponentially. He's eager to succeed with everything he tries; more importantly, though, he's eager to discover and learn. We're now seeing him work hard on the early steps toward reading--how exciting! We very much value learning for the joy of it, and this truly seems to be the guiding principle at Ava Wanas. Our youngest son also just enrolled just before he turned two and a half as well. At home, we've seen the benefits of the Montessori curriculum in action; indeed, our oldest son actively teaches his younger brother and supports him. It's tremendously comforting to know that they're in the best possible care possible. Our kids benefit from the thoughtful routines and the independence they are afforded. The staff is wonderful; we've accompanied the class on a number of field trips, and I'm continually impressed by the caliber and care shown by all staff. You won't visit the school without seeing children freely receiving hugs and affection from all staff. The school understands the need for healthy food, adequate rest, and physical and intellectual stimulation -- all provided with love and respect. We love, too, the amount of outdoor free play the children get -- the school itself is situatated on a beautiful piece of land, and the children are free to run, discover their world, and be themselves. This is truly a gem in Sykesville, and we are so happy to have found it.