History
An innovative curriculum, a well-balanced learning environment, and highly qualified teachers in a home-like setting
Founded in 2003 by Yasmine Ghandour, Orchard House has grown into Quebec’s leading establishment for early childhood education. Ms. Yasmine’s vision of a bilingual and innovative curriculum is merged from the teachings of Maria Montessori and Dr. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. These two distinct methods of teaching allow for an inclusive classroom which caters to each child’s level of development.
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In our schools, you will find highly qualified teachers, a safe learning environment, and a strong sense of community. We understand that the first home-to-school transition is central to laying the foundation of future years. Our dedication to both you and your child makes Orchard House the perfect first step in this journey.
If big kids can do it, we can do it too!
Philosophy
A Montessori approach with theme-based learning centres and character development. Respect for self, others, and the environment is a core value at Orchard House, and it is evident in the relationships formed among the children and their teachers.
At Orchard House, we are committed to creating a warm, home-like environment within an inclusive educational setting, one in which the children are made to feel confident to take risks and meet challenges.
The Montessori Method
The classrooms at Orchard House contain several elements that will help each child to flourish and to reach their fullest potential. Many of these elements are drawn from the renowned Montessori philosophy which encourages every child to work and learn at their own pace:
Our classrooms are equipped with unique Montessori materials.
- The Montessori materials progress gradually from hands-on manipulatives to picture representations and finally to abstract thinking experiences.
- Many of the materials contain self-correcting aspects, allowing each child to monitor their own progress.
- Montessori materials are designed to be used independently. This offers the children an immediate sense of accomplishment as they complete each activity on their own.
- During specified periods of the day, the children may choose any material for which they have had a lesson given by the teacher. Their daily activities are not predetermined by a teacher's lesson plans. They make meaningful choices each day which, in turn, fosters their independence.
Our teachers give individual presentations of each lesson.
- Each child works one-on-one with the teacher, or in small groups, according to their needs. The education received is highly individualized.
- Each child is able to move through material sequences at their own pace.
- The program is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace.
- The activities and sequences are adapted to suit different needs. Children may not need to pass through a skill sequence in exactly the same order as their classmates.
We teach functional skills, preparing the children for real life.
- The children participate in both independent and group learning activities.
- The children learn to become independent by learning skills such as dressing, cleaning, tidying and preparing snacks.
- They learn to take turns, help others, care for the classroom materials and the classroom plants.
Theme-Based Learning Centers
In addition to the traditional Montessori classroom, Orchard House extends the children's learning by offering more contemporary Learning Centers.
- Learning Centers are based on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, developed by Harvard University's Dr. Howard Gardner.
- The Centers, with varying rotating themes, provide an opportunity for integrated learning and bringing together all the isolated skills practiced in the Montessori area.
- The Centers allow the children to socialize and engage in creative activities so they can explore, experiment, imitate, ask questions and, in turn, be questioned in order to further their thinking and problem solving skills.
All independent tasks mastered in the Montessori area literally come into play here.
Character Education
Character education is essential to successful learning, and at Orchard House, we offer the children opportunities to learn and demonstrate core character traits and moral values which will help them to become responsible, caring members of their society.
The children are taught:
- to understand the fundamental differences between right and wrong,
- to think before acting,
- to respect themselves and others,
- to demonstrate responsible decision-making, and
- to be accountable for their behavior.
Mission
Here at Orchard House, we aim to provide the children with a warm and nurturing preschool environment; one which will ease their transition from home to school.
Orchard House prides itself on being the first step in creating a solid foundation for your child’s transition from home to school. The school environment becomes a second home to the child, and establishing feelings of safety and security are key. Our gentle and nurturing teachers are hand-picked for this special role.
Our mission at Orchard House is to ensure the best transition for your child as she/he begins school.
At Orchard House, your child will develop skills in:
- social, emotional, physical and cognitive spheres
- critical thinking and problem solving
- cooperation
- interpersonal and intrapersonal communication
- self-control and independence
- positive self-image and concept of self
- pre-reading and numeracy
Helping Hands
An experiential learning program with positive effects for our community
Our social responsibility program follows closely along the lines of our character education program. Children are provided with opportunities to learn and demonstrate core character traits and moral values which will help them to become responsible, caring members of their society.
Through a variety of activities, the children explore the importance of giving to help others in need. Each centre has selected a local organisation with whom they can promote meaningful relationships. Over the course of the school year, children are encouraged to support the organisation by donating funds, materials or time.
We commit to two local fundraisers per school year and one international fundraiser. Each experience brings a heightened awareness to the children that their actions can produce powerful, positive effects in their neighbourhoods and in the world.
Our NDG school is a proud supporter of the John Edward Hunter Foundation (Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation).
Our Pointe-Claire school supports the West Island Women’s Shelter with specific focus on mothers and children who need assistance.
At an international level, Orchard House as a whole is involved with UNESCO
Faculty
A positive parent-teacher relationship contributes greatly to your child’s success at school. It shows your child that the main caregivers in her life are working together.
Founder of Orchard House
Yasmine Ghandour
Miss Ghandour holds a B.A. in Modern Chinese Studies from the University of Leeds, U.K. She holds a M.A. in Early and Elementary Education from Columbia University, New York City, and a M.Ed. from McGill University, Montreal in Educational Psychology, with a focus on Inclusive Education. She received her Montessori qualifications from the London Montessori Centre and has completed Montessori and other courses in Special Educational Needs.
Ms. Ghandour has worked with children for over 15 years in many educational environments around the world. Her teaching has taken her to East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Currently, Ms. Ghandour works as Director of the Junior School at Lower Canada College, Montreal.
Administrators
Miss Tara – General Director
Miss Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Classics from McGill University, a Bachelor of Arts in Educational studies and a Bachelor of Education from Bishop’s University. She has taught pre-school through to grade six, directed an English-immersion summer camp for children aged five through seventeen, and is now enjoying working with Orchard House’s families and faculty.
Miss Tina – Director of Orchard House NDG
Miss Tina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Science, as well as Montessori certification, Daycare management and a certificate in Family Life Education. Along with her extensive years of working with children, she is the mother of two girls, an avid traveler, cyclist and chef!
Miss Stefanie – Director of Orchard House Pointe-Claire
Miss Stefanie has been with Orchard House for three years and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies from Concordia University. She has worked in the preschool milieu for many years, and enjoys spending time in the Laurentians with her friends and family.
Members of our faculty
The teachers at Orchard House are specifically chosen for their warm and nurturing nature, and for their understanding of individual needs. All teachers hold a certificate in Emergency First Aid procedures. With class sizes ranging from 8 to 10 children, teachers create child-centred environments, concentrate on the needs of the whole child and are well-positioned to address social or cognitive issues as they arise. Partnering with our parents is the key to our success. Orchard House teachers keep in close communication with parents. As a team, we pool our resources and efforts to make sure that each child reaches their fullest potential.
Here are a few members of our faculty team:
Miss Allison
Miss Allison completed her Montessori certification and has experience in daycares, elementary schools and her own two children! Her classroom is an environment in which she encourages the children to participate in hands-on learning activities while creating an atmosphere of warmth and open communication with imagination, security and care.
Mme. Christine
Originally from Corse, France, Mme. Christine completed a Bachelor of Arts in Business before immigrating to Canada. She has since completed her certification as an educator and continues her studies at UQAM in Soutien Pédagogique. When Mme. Christine is not teaching or studying, she is passionate about tennis, swimming, cycling, cooking and painting.
Mme. Fatine
Mme. Fatine is a certified educator who enjoyed running her own home daycare for eight years before moving to California. Since her return to Montreal she has come back to her passion-teaching! Mme. Fatine is an energetic and responsible educator who enjoys using art activities to create various learning situations. Reading, dance, walking, cycling, tennis and cooking are her favourite activities outside of the classroom.
Miss Helen
Miss Helen is an experienced and certified Montessori teacher with a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Vanier College. She is an avid reader, loves to travel and has an interest in the healing art of Reiki.
Miss Jocelyn
A new Canadian citizen, Miss Jocelyn is originally from Mexico, with an international background. Aside from her own three children, she has extensive experience working with children in a Montessori setting. She is passionate about the philosophy of Maria Montessori, and working with the best part of humanity.
Miss Lee Ann
Miss Lee Ann is a certified "Radiant Child" yoga specialist (2009) with an undergraduate degree in Child Studies (1994). She connects with her students through play, art, music, learning, movement and exploration. The children laugh and sing together and the atmosphere is very warm and nurturing yet with a spirit of mutual respect and healthy boundaries. She is passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga with children and appreciates how the Montessori Method marries so well with the philosophy and tenets of yoga.
Mme. Lise
Mme. Lise has been with Orchard House since it’s opening in 2003. During her many years of teaching, she has worked with students ranging in ages from pre-school to sixteen. Mme. Lise spent eight years in the United Arab Emirates teaching fine art which was followed by teaching French in a Montessori school in Ontario. Her passion for painting and art can be seen in the projects she presents to the children. She also enjoys skiing, golf, cycling gardening and nature.
Mme. Martine
Mme. Martine is a certified educator who has worked with children in a variety of settings (swimming instructor, camp counsellor, after-school care and daycare educator). Along with raising her two children, Mme. Martine enjoys reading, traveling and photography.
Miss Melanie
Miss Melanie is an experienced educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McGill University. Trained by CROM to work with children with special needs, she also has experience as an integration aide. Her warm and friendly manner and her creative teaching abilities are a delight to the children. Miss Melanie enjoys arts & crafts as well as science activities in the classroom. Her hobbies of cooking and reading are also shared.
