1. Do both schools operate year-round? What are your hours of operation?

2. How long has the business been operating? Is there a difference in the two locations?

3. How can I tell if a school is truly Montessori certified?

4. Who is Montessori learning for? What are the benefits?

5. Is Rainbow Montessori School part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care reduced fee government program?

6. Do you offer a subsidized program?

Click through to discover!

1. Do both schools operate year-round? What are your hours of operation?

Yes! Rainbow Montessori School offers a full-year program, with our core academic year running from September to June, followed by an engaging summer program from July through August. This allows families the option of consistent, year-round care and learning.

Our school hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Each program's tuition covers the above-mentioned 9 hour days, however we also offer an extended care option from 7:30 AM –5:30 PM for an additional fee, providing flexibility for families who need extra support outside of regular hours!

2. How long has the business been operating? Is there a difference in the two locations?

Rainbow Montessori School has been proudly serving the Ottawa community for over 26 years under the continuous ownership of Shereen Gendron. What began as a small in-home Montessori—started by Shereen as a mother herself—has grown into two locally owned and operated locations. Shereen remains actively involved to this day, and the school continues to reflect the same hands-on, family-first values it was founded on.

While our community has grown, our commitment to quality remains the same with both locations offering a nurturing environment, trained staff, and authentic Montessori experience. The only difference is geographic—families simply choose the location that is most convenient for them. We take pride in offering a warm, personalized atmosphere rooted in care, trust, and community.

3. How can I tell if a school is truly Montessori certified?

The term "Montessori" is not legally protected, meaning any school can use it and claim to be Montessori, regardless of adherence to authentic Montessori principles.

Rainbow Montessori is an authentic Montessori school led by MACTE accredited trained teachers, certified materials, and a philosophy rooted Montessori methods. Our schools also follow Ontario Ministry of Education standards.

To identify a genuine Montessori school, parents should look for:

~ Certified Montessori educators (e.g., AMI, MACTE)
~ Montessori-specific materials
~ Mixed-age classrooms and smaller more personalized class sizes with low student to teacher ratio
~ A calm, structured, child-led environment

We encourage families to ask questions, observe classrooms and don't be afraid to ask for proof of staff certifications when choosing a Montessori program!

4. Who is Montessori learning for? What are the benefits of Rainbow Montessori School?

Our program is best suited for those who are seeking a dedicated Montessori-based education and philosophy, and who value a long-term, child-centered approach to learning—which ultimately benefits their child’s educational journey.

Montessori is especially beneficial for children who thrive in:

~ Structured Independence
~ Hands-on, self-paced learning
~ Calm, focused environments
~ Smaller, more personalized class sizes with low student to teacher ratio,
which allows us to truly support each child's individual journey and build the foundation for a lifetime of confident, engaged learning.

The Montessori approach nurtures confidence, curiosity, and concentration—skills that lay a strong foundation for enriched lifelong learning and often helps children progress well beyond age-level expectations—academically, socially, and emotionally.

5. Is Rainbow Montessori School part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care reduced fee government program (CWELCC)?

While we have opted into the program, Rainbow Montessori School is not part of the CWELCC program. The reason for this is that the CWELCC program is currently at capacity due to limited government funding, and we are not eligible to participate until further funding is allocated. Once additional government funding becomes available again and our opt in application is accepted, we will update this section accordingly!

6. Do you offer a subsidized program?

No, Rainbow Montessori School does not offer a subsidized program. As a specialized private school offering an enriched Montessori education with a unique, hands-on approach to early learning, our fees are set independently and are not covered by publicly funded subsidy models.