Summer Program
Our Summer Program serves children 2.9 years of age through Kindergarten. For the summer of 2024, we are offering seven weekly sessions beginning the week of Monday, June 24th. Similar to the regular school year, the day begins at 8:40am with half and full day options. Families can choose between three, four, or five-day schedules. Prearranged Before and After Care is available to families as well. Families send their children with a nut-free snack and lunch each day for both full and half-day programs.
Please note that our summer program is intended for currently enrolled Elements Montessori students, previously enrolled siblings up to 8 years of age, or new families with previous Montessori experience.
In 2023, we welcomed Kira LaFosse-Baker to the Elements Montessori Family! Kira and Craig's daughter joined us in the classroom in the fall, and Kira returns this summer to directs the Summer Program at Elements again! She is a lifelong lover of the outdoors with a passion for getting children outdoors to learn, explore, and to become stewards of the land. You can learn more about Kira’s teaching experience here. Each summer program week carries a theme with as much outdoor time as the weather allows. Families receive a welcome email prior to each weekly session including: policies, procedures, and a full list of what to pack for the week. You may contact Kira directly at Kira.Summer.Elements@gmail.com.
Weekly Schedule & Themes*
Week #1 / June 24th-June 28th / Budding Botanists: Sun, Soil, and Seeds
Week #2** / July 1st-July 3rd / Budding Botanists Continued
Week #3 / July 8th-July 12th / Flutter, Crawl, and Wiggle: Bug Buddies
Week #4 / July 15th-July 19th / Feathered Friends: Becoming Birders
Week #5 / July 22nd-July 26th / Minnows & Mudbugs: Pond Patrol
Week #6 / July 29th-August 2nd / Wilderness Survival: Bushcraft Kids
Week #7 / August 5th-August 9th / Upside Down & Inside Out: Wacky Week!
*Weekly themes are subject to change.
**We will offer a three-day program, MTW, the week of July 1st, subject to enough interest in enrollment. Please indicate your interest on your application form and we will confirm the program by April 2024.
Summer Program Tuition
Half Day Tuition: 8:40am-1:10pm
3 Half Days/T,W,TH: $275/week
4 Half Days/M-TH: $340/week
5 Half Days/M-F: $385/week
Full Day Tuition: 8:40am-3:00pm
3 Full Days/T,W,TH: $350/week
4 Full Days/M-TH: $460/week
5 Full Days/M-F: $525/week
Before Care: 8:00am-8:40am
During our Summer Program, prearranged Before Care is available for enrolled families. In the event of extenuating circumstances, please inquire about drop-in availability with our Summer Program Director.
Prearranged Before Care Rates
$18 per day
After Care: 3:00pm-4:00pm
During our Summer Program, prearranged After Care is available for enrolled families. In the event of extenuating circumstances, please inquire about drop-in availability with our Summer Program Director.
PrearrangedAfter Care Rates
$18 per day
More About Kira
Kira is a lifelong lover of the outdoors, having spent her childhood exploring the wooded backyard of her home in Groton, MA. Throughout her college career, Kira always found herself working with young children, most notably with Jumpstart. Here she discovered the importance of play-based learning and social-emotional development, for low-income, at-risk children. After receiving her Bachelors in Journalism and Public Relations, Kira taught PreK in a small, community school, learning the ropes of traditional early education.
Kira went on to develop public programs at the Trustees of Reservation conservation properties. During her time there, Kira engaged thousands of participants to help them gain a renewed appreciation and knowledge for natural spaces. Kira’s time with the Trustees also reinforced her passion for getting children outdoors to learn, explore, and to become stewards of the land. She became the lead teacher at the Forest School programs at Athenaeum Learning Center in Pembroke, where she taught the 4 to 6-year-old class outdoors 85% of each day.
Currently, Kira teaches a nature-based homeschool enrichment program at Home Base Learning Center in Milton, MA. Kira lives in Pembroke with her husband, Craig, their toddler Merritt, and their dog Bear. She enjoys $5 movie nights at the Hingham Shipyard, checking Trustees properties off her list, and identifying flora and fauna everywhere she goes. Kira is beyond excited for the opportunity to relaunch the Summer Program at Elements Montessori to provide families with lots of loving, enriching, and fun-filled weeks!
