• Child-Centered Learning – Teachers act as guides rather than instructors therefore curriculums are tailored to the individual child’s interests and developmental pace.
• Hands-On Materials – Montessori classrooms feature specially designed materials that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and sensory engagement.
• Multi-Age Classrooms – Children of different ages (within a three-year age span) learn together, fostering peer learning and collaboration.
• Focus on Life Skills – Montessori education also emphasizes practical life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, and social interaction.
• Uninterrupted Work Periods – Students are given long, uninterrupted blocks of time to engage deeply with their chosen activities.
• Freedom Within Limits – Children have the freedom to choose their activities, but this is balanced with clear guidelines to foster responsibility and self-discipline.

Which Early Education Program is Better?

The choice between either a Montessori school or a regular preschool is a tough one. When choosing the right early education program, consider; your child’s personality, learning style, and your family’s educational goals. Montessori schools are ideal for children who thrive in self-directed, hands-on learning environments, while regular preschools may suit children who prefer structured group activities and teacher-led instruction.

1. Balanced Home and School Life

Day schools allow children to spend their school hours learning and socializing, then return home in the evening to family life. This balance helps maintain strong parent-child relationships and emotional security.

2. Academic Focus with Daily Structure

With a consistent daily routine, children in day schools develop discipline, time management, and focus. The structured schedule helps reinforce learning and encourages responsibility from an early age.

3. Social Development

Day schools provide plenty of opportunities for children to build friendships, work in teams, and develop communication skills. These interactions are essential for emotional intelligence and long-term social confidence.

4. Cost-Effective Compared to Boarding

Since day schools don’t include housing or meals beyond school hours, they’re typically more affordable than boarding schools — making quality education more accessible to families.

5. Stronger Family Involvement

Parents can actively participate in their child’s education — from helping with homework to attending school events — ensuring better collaboration between home and school for the child’s success.

6. Extracurricular Opportunities

Most day schools offer after-school programs, clubs, and sports that allow students to explore interests and talents beyond academics — all while still returning home each evening.

7. Emotional and Mental Well-Being

Being able to come home to familiar surroundings every day provides comfort, stability, and emotional support, reducing stress and anxiety compared to long separations from family.

8. Encourages Independence with Guidance

Children learn independence during school hours — managing tasks, deadlines, and peer interactions — while still benefiting from parental support and oversight at home.

Here are some benefits that your child can experience when you decide to send them to the Beach Manor private preschool in Virginia Beach. 

1. Smaller Class Sizes & Individualized Attention

Private preschools typically have smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more personalized instruction, focusing on each child’s strengths, interests, and areas for growth.

2. High-Quality Curriculum & Enrichment Programs

Many private preschools offer structured, well-rounded curricula that include STEM, arts, music, foreign languages, and hands-on learning  to enhance critical thinking and creativity.

3. Stronger Academic Foundation

Private preschools often have advanced learning opportunities that go beyond basic early childhood education such as early literacy, math, and problem-solving skills in engaging and interactive ways.

4. Highly Qualified Teachers

Many private preschools employ certified and highly trained educators with specialized backgrounds in early childhood education, with ongoing professional development to stay updated on the best teaching practices.

5. More Parental Involvement & Community Feel

Private preschools often encourage strong parent-teacher communication through conferences, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Parents become part of a close-knit community, fostering lifelong friendships for both children and families.

6. Safer & More Nurturing Environment

Private preschools typically have stricter safety policies, secure facilities, and low student-teacher ratios that allow for better supervision.

7. Emphasis on Social & Emotional Development

Many private preschools focus on building emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and communication skills, integrating character education, mindfulness, and collaborative play to develop social skills and self-confidence.

8. Specialized Learning Approaches

Private preschools offer customized teaching methods to fit different learning styles.

9. Easier Transition to Private or Advanced Schools

Attending a private preschool can make it easier for children to be accepted into top private elementary schools or advanced academic programs. 

10. Greater Flexibility in Teaching Methods

Private preschools are not bound by state-mandated curriculums, allowing for more innovative and engaging teaching methods. Teachers have flexibility to adjust lesson plans to better fit the needs of the students.

Because young children learn through a wide variety of methods and at varying rates, The Manor Schools have developed an eclectic approach to early childhood education. Using materials gathered from Montessori preschool methods, the British infant system, and traditional education methods, Manor School teachers target the needs of each child in their class. Starting with shapes and colors, instruction typically progresses to recognition of upper and lower-case letters, recognition of numbers and counting from 1-10, to initial consonant sounds and reading.

Along with the daily language arts and mathematical instruction, our preschool learning curriculum also includes thematic units of study carefully designed to promote each age group’s natural development. Important throughout the program is the emphasis on developmental readiness. The key to achieving these goals is to foster a noncompetitive classroom environment and a relaxed approach to instruction. In our early childhood school, the goal is to provide a rich early childhood learning experience that supports both cognitive and emotional growth, ensuring our students are well-prepared for future learning schools.

Here are some benefits of a private preschool that both you and your child will enjoy: 

1. Smaller Class Sizes & Individualized Attention

Private preschools typically have smaller student-to-teacher ratios, allowing for more personalized instruction, focusing on each child’s strengths, interests, and areas for growth.

2. High-Quality Curriculum & Enrichment Programs

Many private preschools offer structured, well-rounded curricula that include STEM, arts, music, foreign languages, and hands-on learning  to enhance critical thinking and creativity.

3. Stronger Academic Foundation

Private preschools often have advanced learning opportunities that go beyond basic early childhood education such as early literacy, math, and problem-solving skills in engaging and interactive ways.

4. Highly Qualified Teachers

Many private preschools employ certified and highly trained educators with specialized backgrounds in early childhood education, with ongoing professional development to stay updated on the best teaching practices.

5. More Parental Involvement & Community Feel

Private preschools often encourage strong parent-teacher communication through conferences, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Parents become part of a close-knit community, fostering lifelong friendships for both children and families.

6. Safer & More Nurturing Environment

Private preschools typically have stricter safety policies, secure facilities, and low student-teacher ratios that allow for better supervision.

7. Emphasis on Social & Emotional Development

Many private preschools focus on building emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and communication skills, integrating character education, mindfulness, and collaborative play to develop social skills and self-confidence.

8. Specialized Learning Approaches

Private preschools offer customized teaching methods to fit different learning styles.

9. Easier Transition to Private or Advanced Schools

Attending a private preschool can make it easier for children to be accepted into top private elementary schools or advanced academic programs. 

10. Greater Flexibility in Teaching Methods

Private preschools are not bound by state-mandated curriculums, allowing for more innovative and engaging teaching methods. Teachers have flexibility to adjust lesson plans to better fit the needs of the students.

Stronger Family Bonds – Students return home daily, allowing for more family time. Parents can actively participate in their child’s upbringing, academic progress, and extracurricular activities.

Social Integration – A Day school allows students to maintain strong connections with their local community. They can engage in neighborhood activities, meet friends outside school, and balance school life with external social experiences.

Parental Involvement – Day schools encourage frequent communication between parents and teachers giving parents more opportunities to monitor and guide their child’s development.

Flexibility – Families have more control over their schedules, allowing students to participate in after-school programs, community sports, or private tutoring.

Regular Home Environment – A Day school provides a balance between a structured academic environment and the comfort of returning home, fostering emotional stability.