Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll my child at Spring Valley Montessori Academy?

We are thrilled to welcome new members to our family! Please visit our Application page for information about enrolling your child in one of our programs.

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What are your program hours?

Early Bird Care: 8:15–9:00 a.m.

Morning Program: 9:00 a.m.–noon

Afternoon Program: noon–2:00 p.m.

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Does your preschool offer breakfast and lunch?

We do not serve meals at Spring Valley. If your child is enrolled in our afternoon programming, you will need to send lunch to school with him or her. We are a nut-free school, so please do not include any foods with nuts or nut products in your child’s lunch. We do, however, serve snacks in both our morning and afternoon programs.

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Can I bring treats for my child’s birthday?

We would love to celebrate your child’s birthdays! Feel free to bring healthy, nut-free snacks to share. All snacks should be ready to serve and easy to manage. If your child has a food allergy and you would like him or her to participate in birthday celebrations, please send a package of non-allergenic treats for your child. We will store the treats and serve them as a  substitute for birthday snacks when appropriate.

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What if my child requires medication during the day?

We will administer prescription medications in accordance with state regulations and with physician and parental approval. Please complete our medication authorization form, and bring the medication in the original, labeled packaging to the front office. We do not distribute over-the-counter medications or vitamins to children.

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Do you adjust your hours in inclement weather?

We follow Montgomery County Public Schools’ inclement weather policy. If Montgomery County is closed, we are closed. If Montgomery calls a delayed start, we will open at 10:00 a.m.; if Montgomery closes early, we will cancel afternoon classes.

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I would like to volunteer. How can I get started?

To allow children to become familiar with our program, we welcome adult visitors into our classrooms after October. If you would like to visit, please call the front office to make an appointment. If you would like to volunteer, we would love to have you! Please call us to make arrangements and visit our Choose Us page for more information on what parent involvement looks like. You may need to complete a background check prior to helping in our classrooms.

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Does my child need a backpack?

No. We will provide each student with a tote bag for carrying work and messages to and from school, and we ask that you discourage your child from bringing toys from home. We would hate it if something precious to your child was lost or damaged.

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What should my child wear to school?

Please dress your children in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes each day. We also ask that you keep two sets of clothes at school in case of an emergency. Please bring each set in a separate Ziplock bag with your child’s name on it. All coats, hats, and boots should also be labeled with your child’s name. If your child is still in diapers, you will need to provide two packages of diapers and wipes. No Pull-Ups, please. We will notify you when your child’s hygiene or clothing supply needs to be replenished.

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What is your preschool's morning schedule?

We have arranged our morning routine to offer a consistent order to our days. Although the schedule differs from class to class, each includes a balance of child and teacher-initiated activities, proper hygiene, exercise class, and outdoor play periods. Here is a sample schedule:



8:50–9:10 a.m.

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What are Spring Valley Montessori Academy's safety procedures relating to COVID-19?

Our first priority is the health and safety of our children and staff. SVMA abides by MDH and MSDE COVID-19 protocol. Following the most recent guidelines, masks are not required. People can choose to wear a mask based on personal preference.

Families must conduct a daily health check each morning before coming to Spring Valley Montessori Academy. If your child has any of the following symptoms, we ask that they remain out that day and have a COVID-19 test administered.

• Fever of 100.4 F or higher, now or in the preceding 72 hours (or would have, but have used fever reducing medicine)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell

*The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging and fluid situation. Federal, state, and local orders and guidance may change frequently, therefore our policies and procedures are subject to change accordingly.

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