About Perth Children’s House

Perth Children’s House Montessori School (PCH) was formed in 1974 by a dedicated group of parents in the Perth area who decided that their children, and their community, needed another option for early education. PCH continues to be a parent-run organization where parents enjoy taking an active role in the school.

PCH currently offers two programs: an Early Childhood Education program, Casa Montessori, as well as a grade 1-6 Elementary Montessori.

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Role of parents in program

As has been the case since its inception, the success of Perth Children’s House Montessori School comes down to the support from the community of families and friends that it establishes within the greater community of Perth. PCH is a non-profit, parent-run school, which means that families’ involvement and assistance is required in order to operate the school. In an attempt to keep tuition affordable, the school relies heavily on parent volunteerism. In addition to the financial benefit, volunteerism helps parents become involved in life at Perth Children’s House, which helps build a strong community of families, one of our core values.

It is expected that each family will contribute their gifts, experience, and time through the different volunteering and fundraising opportunities that occur during the year. This may involve tasks such as driving for field trips, coaching, serving on the Board of Directors/various committees or for maintenance and cleaning tasks necessary for the day-to-day operations of the school and its activities.

Each family must contribute a minimum of 20 hours of volunteerism throughout the year, or they may choose to pay a non-refundable opt-out fee at the beginning of the school year.

Attendance at the Annual General Meeting is mandatory, for all families.

The elementary program families will also commit to meeting as needed, up to once per month, and these meetings are also mandatory. Paying an opt-out fee does not exempt attendance at these meetings nor does attendance at meetings count towards the minimum volunteer hour requirement as it is viewed as a requirement for ​all​ families to actively participate in our community-minded program.

Board of Directors

Chair, Tanya Sweeney
Vice Chair, Rachel Roth
Treasurer, Christian Allan
Secretary, Alexandra Appleby

Standing Committees

These committees are responsible for advising the Board, creating ad hoc committees for meeting annual objectives and facilitating the day-to-day operations of the organization. Committees and their chairs include:

Parent + Community Engagement: Kailyn Turner & Alex Appleby

Human Resources: Katie Ireton

Policies and Procedures: Kathryn Ransom-Hodges

Financial Oversight: Amber Percival

Development + Donor Relations: Christian Allan

Facilities Management: Tanya Sweeney

Vision & Mission

PCH’s mission is to allow children to experience the joy of learning at an early age, while promoting the development of independence, concentration and self-discipline, and fostering love and respect for others and the environment.

Our aim is to encourage active, self-directed learning, and to strike a balance of individual mastery with small group collaboration within the whole group community.

It is our mission to promote the health, safety, nutrition, and well-being of all children and are considerate of each child’s emotional, physical, and psychological state. Teachers and support staff will provide, supportive, positive, and responsive daily interactions.

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Montessori Method

In a nutshell, the Montessori method allows children to experience the joy of learning at an early age, while promoting the development of independence,

concentration and self-discipline, and fostering love and respect for others and their environment.

The aim is to encourage active, self-directed learning and to strike a balance of individual mastery with small group collaboration within the whole group community.

Children are free to work at their own pace with materials they have chosen, either alone or with others. The teacher relies on his or her observations of the children to determine which new activities and materials may be introduced to an individual child or to a small or large group.

Multi-Age Class

The multi-age community interaction is intrinsic to Montessori. The Montessori classroom has three age groups within the same class, allowing children to learn from each other. The multi-age grouping in each class provides a family-like setting where learning can take place naturally.

Benefits of multi-age classes:

  • The more experienced children share what they have learned, reinforcing their own knowledge and skills. This encourages rich language experiences, and opportunities for the development of empathy and social learning.
  • Children are able to work at their own pace. Teachers are free to spend more time in certain areas with a student if needed, allowing others to move forward at their own pace.
  • Teaching to the individual as opposed to the group allows for more flexibility.
  • Younger children are able to shadow others and absorb what the older ones are doing, and the older children become role models and gain self-esteem.
  • Conflict resolution skills and empathy develop as a result.
  • These interactions over the three year span develop strong sense of community, love of learning and self-confidence.

Teachers & Staff

Amy Neron
Amy NeronLead Montessori Elementary Teacher
Amy is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, holds an International Montessori Teaching Diploma in the primary 3-6 year old program and elementary 6-9 year old program and is a certified English as a Second Language instructor. She is returning to PCH for her 17th year!
Holly Hall
Holly HallCasa Lead Teacher
Holly has been a registered Early Childhood Educator for 11 years. She moved to Perth when she was 12, and has since enjoyed getting to know the community. She loves to garden, cook and considers herself a nature enthusiast. Holly is returning to PCH for her 6th year.
Kyla Haley
Kyla HaleyUpper Elementary Teacher & French Teacher
Kyla Haley holds an HBSc (Biology), a Bachelor of Education (Junior/Intermediate/Senior, Math/Biology with a French as a Second Language qualification), and an Upper Elementary Montessori diploma. A life-long learner, Kyla takes pride in being a part of creating a Montessori environment having at its core the goal of instilling a love of learning and curiosity about the world. Kyla is returning to PCH in the role of upper elementary lead for her third year.
Sarah Strong
Sarah StrongCasa Classroom Assistant, RECE
Sarah Strong grew up in Perth and continues to reside in this lovely small town. Growing up surrounded by a family full of teachers, and a neighbourhood full of them too, Sarah was always drawn to education, and working with children whether it be babysitting or summer camps.
Ron Cosens
Ron CosensElementary Assistant & Classroom Monitor
Ron is excited to be returning to our elementary Montessori program as classroom assistant taking on specialized teaching of phys ed and science. When he is not helping in our elementary classroom he is running Maple Key Day Camp with his wife or performing on stage.
Tara WolffCasa Classroom Assistant
Coming Soon
Candace McVety
Candace McVetyClassroom Monitor
Candace is a RECE and a mother of three. She has operated a home daycare for ten years and thoroughly enjoys working with children of preschool age. This is her second year with PCH.
Mary-Lynn PaulCasa French Teacher
Mary-Lynn is a Concordia University Graduate with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. She worked in various daycare settings before becoming a certified Primary, Junior and Special Education Teacher. This past June, Mary-Lynn retired from the Upper Canada District School board after teaching there for over 27 years. She has missed teaching and guiding young children and so feels very blessed to be a part of the Montessori family.
Lisa Hawkey
Lisa HawkeySecretary
Lisa is an OCT registered teacher and a mother of three. She has spent time in various roles at PCH including as parent, supply teacher and board member. She has a passion for the Montessori philosophy and a great love of Perth Children’s House.
Bobbi-Jo Chirwa
Bobbi-Jo ChirwaClassroom Monitor
Bobbi-Jo is a RECE and mother of two. This is her second year with PCH and she greatly enjoys working with this age group.

Important Dates

Perth Children’s House generally follows the calendar of the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB).

Careers

Perth Childrens House is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

  1. Supply Teachers – ongoing occasional coverage for our Casa and Elementary programs.
  2. Montessori Teacher – Anticipatory Position based on potential future program expansion, Date: TBD
  3. Montessori Assistant – Anticipatory Position based on potential future program expansion, Date: TBD

If you are interesting in being considered for one of the above positions we ask that you submit your resume and cover letter using the file upload below or by sending an email to chair@perthchildrenshouse.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest in Perth Childrens House, however only successful candidates will be contacted.

Careers

Perth Childrens House is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

  1. Supply Teachers – ongoing occasional coverage for our Casa and Elementary programs.
  2. Montessori Teacher – Anticipatory Position based on potential future program expansion, Date: TBD
  3. Montessori Assistant – Anticipatory Position based on potential future program expansion, Date: TBD

If you are interesting in being considered for one of the above positions we ask that you submit your resume and cover letter using the file upload below or by sending an email to vicechair@perthchildrenshouse.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest in Perth Childrens House, however only successful candidates will be contacted.