Blog Archives - Ladybird Montessori

Niki Foster, the school owner and Director of Ladybird, discovered her love for the Montessori method while working at Mariposa Montessori School in Austin, TX from 2007-2009. In 2009, she decided to try and take Montessori to public school and worked at Patton Elementary in AISD from 2009-2013. It was during those years that Niki started her own family and realized through her own teaching experience in the Texas public school system that she did not want her own children in that system. Niki also realized how hard it was to convince teachers and schools who had been doing things the traditional way for so long, to adopt Montessori methods in their classrooms. Due to Niki’s love for both her children and for the Montessori method, she decided to open Ladybird Montessori School in Buda, TX.

Niki’s husband, Justin, found the property that is now home to the Ladybird Montessori campus. He knocked out walls, painted, put in new flooring, as well as all sorts of other maintenance projects to turn the home they purchased into a school. He put so much hard work into the campus out of his love for his children and because he wanted his children to have a Montessori Education. After much love, sweat, and tears Niki and Justin were able to open the Ladybird campus in the Fall of 2013. At the time there was one Children’s House classroom and one Young Children’s Community classroom because those were the 2 classes they needed for their own sons. They opened a Nido classroom when they realized they would need that program for their 3^rd son. Also, as their 3 sons grew in age, they added additional programs to ensure their children, and the Ladybird Community, would continue to receive a Montessori education. The Elementary program was opened in 2018 and the new Middle School program will be opening in the Fall of 2023.

Everything Niki plans for the school comes from her reflections as a mother regarding her own 3 boys who attend the school as well as her knowledge and numerous certifications in the Montessori method. The 14 acres of nature space, experiential learning, the upcoming Makerspace, and so much more are all things Niki wants for her own children as well as for the Ladybird Community as a whole. Other parents at Ladybird can rest assured that their children are receiving the best education and environment because Niki’s own children are in classes along with their children. Every choice Niki makes for the campus comes from her love as a mother and her love of Montessori. Many of the other Lead Guides at Ladybird also have their children enrolled in the various classrooms. This helps create a cohesive and dedicated team of educators who are truly invested in the quality instruction and experience Ladybird provides.

At Ladybird, we believe it is important to be an active part of our community. We model community engagement as an organization by sponsoring and supporting numerous local events such as the Booda Halloween in Buda City Park, Buda Trail of Lights at Stagecoach Trail, Buda Weiner Dog Races, Buda Movies in the Park, etc. Our school also helps support the Hays County Food Bank with donations as well as volunteer hours. Over the holidays, our school adopts a few local families who are in need to help them have a happy holiday season as well.

As a school community, we host a variety of events such as our quarterly music concert for Ladybird families to come sit on our lawn and enjoy a free live concert and get to know the other families and staff at Ladybird, our annual Earth Day Event, and a variety of meetups around the community at places such as a pumpkin patch, the Austin Nature Center, etc.

In the classrooms we foster a sense of community by having multi-group aging which provides a mix of children within a 3 years span (birth-3 years, 3-6 years, 6-9 years, 9-12 years, and 12-15 years) can collaborate and socialize. These inter-age relationships naturally strengthen the entire community. Older children are seen as role models in the classroom and even get to help present some lessons to younger peers. They support the growth and development of younger children through socialization, assisting with new work, or teaching skills they have mastered themselves. They can also work with younger students in areas of the curriculum in which they themselves may need more practice, without stigma. Younger children follow the example set by the older students and have peers to work with in areas of the curriculum in which they may be more advanced. This multi-age community provides opportunities for all individuals to learn from each other, at times leading, sharing, or serving as role models. It also develops an appreciation of differences. Within this supportive, inclusive community, children work through the curriculum at their own pace, accelerating during some tasks or taking additional time with others. (The American Montessori Society)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Montessori Method?

The Montessori Method has been practiced in classrooms around the world for more than 100 years. It is trusted to provide children the caring assistance that helps them grow into adults who are self-motivated and love learning, think flexibly and creatively, are conscious of the needs of others, and actively foster harmony as they go through life. The Montessori environment offers intentional lessons in grace and courtesy—modeling appropriate, respectful manners that are demonstrated by teachers and practiced in small groups.

From the simple, loving interactions, and through lessons in practical skills and independence, Montessori students learn to take care of themselves and their environment and to be helpful to others. They wash tables, organize shelves, prepare their own meals, and assist younger children. In addition to mastering real-life skills, they come to see themselves as valued members of the community.

Additional academic rigor and an emphasis on group work in Elementary classes promote collaboration and community. And the complex, outward-facing activities such as service learning projects undertaken by adolescents in Secondary classrooms help students become empathetic, peaceful, resourceful, independent, and kind.

The entire cycle of Montessori education nurtures responsible, independent, and capable people who are active citizens in their classrooms and beyond.

Montessori learners recognize themselves as part of multiple communities—the community of the classroom, the community of the family, and the community of the wider world.

Montessori is for life. More information can be found on the Montessori method by visiting https://amshq.org/Families/Montessori-and-Your-Child (American Montessori Society)

Why do your classrooms have multi-group aging?

Multi-age groupings of children ages 8 weeks-18 months (Nido), 18 months- 3 years (YCC), 3 years – 6 years (CH), 6years – 9 years (Lower El), 9 years –12 years (Upper El), and 12 years -15 years (Middle School) provide a heterogeneous mix in which children can collaborate and socialize. These inter-age relationships strengthen the entire community in each classroom.

Older children are seen as role models within the community. They support the growth and development of younger children through socialization, assisting with new work, or teaching skills they have mastered themselves. They can also work with younger students in areas of the curriculum in which they themselves may need more practice, without stigma.

Younger children follow the example set by the older students, and have peers to work with in areas of the curriculum in which they may be more advanced. This multi-age community provides opportunities for all individuals to learn from each other, at times leading, sharing, or serving as role models. It also develops an appreciation of differences.

Within this supportive, inclusive community, children work through the curriculum at their own pace, accelerating during some tasks or taking additional time with others.

How do I enroll my child at Ladybird Montessori School?

First Step: Schedule a tour and fill out the application form.

Second Step: Contact our office manager about availability in the classroom you are considering for your child.

Third Step: Interview with the Lead Guide to ensure it is a good fit for the child/family as well as for the classroom.

Fourth Step: Once it is agreed upon by both the family and Ladybird Montessori that we will proceed with enrollment the necessary paperwork and fees are submitted to secure the placement.

What training do your Guides have at Ladybird Montessori?

We have a Lead Guide in each classroom who holds a masters level MACTE approved Montessori teaching credential specific for the age group they are teaching. Most of our Guides here at Ladybird have either been trained at The Houston Montessori Center or Shelton Montessori Training Center. There are also Assistant Guides in each classroom that serve as support staff and also have the opportunity to apprentice and learn from the Lead Guides they work with. The Assistant Guides do not hold Montessori credentials but do attend a variety of training on the Montessori method as well as peaceful communication.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Montessori Method?

Why do your classrooms have multi-group aging?

How do I enroll my child at Ladybird Montessori School?

What training do your Guides have at Ladybird Montessori?

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