First School Childcare: Where Happy Kids Love to Learn

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2 Locations in Mahomet & Manhattan, IL

Our holistic curriculum, under the direction of well-trained teachers, allows your child to experience the joy of learning through hands-on activities. It also ensures the development of self-esteem and provides the experiences from which children become life-long learners.

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Why First School?

First School’s Montessori-based programs allow early years of development to learn in a prepared environment that does more than teach your child; they instill confidence, independent thought, and a life-long love for learning at their own pace.

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HOW WE DO IT

Highest Quality Curriculum

Teaming with parents, professionals, local schools, North American Montessori Center,among others.

Amazing, Well-Trained, Certified Staff

Attentive to differentiation, learning milestones, and encouraging positive social and emotional awareness.

Loyal Community Support

First School and Montessori alumni are always around to share their experiences and success stories.

THE ADVANTAGES OF FIRST SCHOOL

Happy, Well-Adjusted, Independent Children

Attentive staff assist with transitions and model self-help and problem-solving skills.

Individualized Learning

Montessori education is tailored to your child's unique learning style, interests, and pace, helping them reach their full potential.

Preparation for Lifelong Learning

By fostering curiosity, independence, and self-discipline, Montessori education lays the foundation for academic success and personal growth beyond the classroom.

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First School provides State-of-the Art Biometric (Fingerprint) Security and Video Surveillance

 Only pre-approved/certified persons can enter the building.

(First School is the only *SEC approved center in Manhattan, IL)

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Important Info

2 Locations in Mahomet & Manhattan

Mahomet Location

1403 E Oak St
Mahomet, IL 61853

School Hours

M-F: 7:30am – 5:30pm
Closed Weekends

Manhattan Location

25610 S Gougar Rd
Manhattan, IL 60442

School Hours

M-F: 6:30am - 6pm
Weekends: Closed

Our Programs

Infants

Montessori for infants involves creating a safe and interactive environment that allows them to practice skills such as grasping, crawling, and walking. By providing age-appropriate toys and materials, teachers guide infants develop their sensory and large and small motor skills, as well as their cognitive abilities.

Toddlers

A Montessori classroom for toddlers safely supports a child’s drive to do things independently, developing confidence and a sense of competence. This is the time for children to explore and discover through active play. In addition, our educators give toddlers responsive, individualized attention to help build skills in:

  • Sensory and Perception
  • Self-help
  • Language
  • Physical and Motor Skills
  • Social and Emotional Growth
  • Music and Art
  • Language
  • Science
  • Math
  • Geography
Twos

In our classroom for 2-year-olds, children begin to do more complex multi-step work. This prepares them for our preschool class. They learn a basic sense of quantity and numbers and simple research into animals. Teachers also create station learning for many sensory and motor materials, which focus on identifying and continuing patterns.

Pre-K

The Montessori Pre-K program offers a unique, mixed-age classroom environment, for children approximately 3 to 5 years old. Children engage in individual learning experiences, as well as one-on-one interactions.

As children get older, they tend to see things that adults find ordinary as very interesting and special. Practical life exercises like sorting, pouring, or washing dishes absorb them completely.

We recognize this as the beginning of control and coordination of mind and body. That’s why Pre-K teachers focus lessons around tangible, hands-on experiences.

Children use concrete materials to learn math; movable alphabet letters to explore language; and cubes, cylinders and other objects to categorize, find spatial relationships, and more. Practical learning experiences explore key subjects including:

  • Science and Nature
  • Music and Movement
  • Sensorial
  • Cooking and Nutrition
  • Cultural Awareness
  • History
  • Geography
  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics
Before & After school

Transportation is provided by our First School bus to and from Manhattan Public Schools for the Before and After School-age Program. During this program, students have homework time, snack time, and activities.