Aims

The main aim of the SMC is to promote the educational Montessori Method at regional, national and international level. In doing so the SMC would like to educate and inform a wide variety of interested parties, such as pupils, parents, associations and any other educational institution. The SMC will host a number of lectures and conferences concerning educational and Montessori topics. Individuals and institutions will also have the opportunity of purchasing Montessori materials directly through the SMC. Furthermore, the SMC will offer coaching sessions for parents and/or children from ages 3 to 18 concerning any issue that may be of concern. Finally, the SMC will provide Montessori education to children from 3 to 6.

Objectives

Promotion of the Montessori Philosophy  and education in general

This will be performed in a number of ways. Firstly, the SMC will host talks and conferences presented by the owner or guest speakers. Secondly, the SMC will organize workshops for parents or other individuals. Lastly, the SMC will promote the Montessori Method outside of its premises by attending conferences and contacting other stakeholders directly.

Montessori materials

The SMC is an official distributor of Nienhuis Montessori International B.V., The Netherlands. Nienhuis is one of the largest and most prestigious suppliers of Montessori materials in the world. Therefore, Montessori materials can be purchased directly through the SMC. This is unique in French-speaking Switzerland and thus in the canton of Neuchâtel.

Coaching sessions

These sessions will enable parents and/or students to discuss with the owner privately any problems or issues that they may have concerning their education at school or at home.

English classes 3-6

English Montessori classes will be offered three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) to children from ages 3 to 6. Classes will be composed of no more than 18 pupils and, thus, the teacher will have the opportunity to focus on the individual needs of each child. From August 2011, Neuchâtel will require 16 weekly periods of 45 minutes of formal teaching for children aged 4 and 5 (Convention Scolaire Romande HarmoS n° 2, November 5 2009). This is equivalent to 12 full hours of teaching a week. Consequently, the SMC will offer 3 x 4 hours of classroom hours a week.

Summary of the four SMC main activities

• Promote the Montessori Method and education in general

• Inform and sell Montessori items to clients

• Instruct parents and children who seek educational advice

• Provide Montessori education to children ages 3 to 6