Places are prioritised for children whose parents/carers value the Montessori approach and seek to engage with the philosophy through their own parenting.
Your child is ready to join our Infant Community once they are over one year of age. At this stage, children are beginning to explore the world with growing curiosity and independence, and our environment is designed to meet their developmental needs with care and sensitivity. Children should be able to sit in a low chair and join the group for snack, and will usually be able to manage without a nap until after lunchtime.
Families may choose from two attendance options: five mornings including lunchtime, or five full days. This consistent weekly rhythm allows infants to settle comfortably into their bespoke environment and to build strong, trusting relationships with their teachers and peers. Consistency and predictability are key pillars of healthy attachment and early development, helping each child to feel secure, confident, and ready to engage with the world around them.
Your child is ready to join our Children’s House when they are over three years of age. They should be able to separate from you (following their settling in period) and respond comfortably to teachers and other children. Children should be making good progress in toilet learning before beginning Children’s House.
EMAS enrols a limited number of children four years and older to the Children’s House class. Prior to acceptance children are invited to meet the teachers and spend a short time in the classroom without their parents. Teachers are looking to observe that a child is interested in exploring our environment and open to trying new things during this visit.
Places for four and five year olds are reserved for families intending to remain at EMAS through Elementary (their child’s primary school years).
Please note that due to changes in the Scottish system, we no longer offer Scottish Government-funded preschool places for 3 and 4-year olds.
Children may join our Elementary class at any point during their school career, provided that the Montessori approach is a suitable fit for their learning style and needs. We welcome applications from all families including those with prior Montessori experience or from educational settings whose values align with our learner-centred philosophy.
Once an application is received, children are invited to attend trial days. These visits allow them to experience the rhythm of the Montessori classroom and give our teachers time to assess whether we can best support their learning and wellbeing. Previous school reports are also reviewed, providing valuable insight into the child’s academic background and learning history. This helps us tailor an individualised plan to ensure a smooth transition.
While moving into a Montessori environment can bring an initial period of adjustment, the benefits of this shift are significant. With time, children develop confidence, independence, and the ability to make thoughtful choices about their work. They quickly learn to manage their time effectively, direct their own studies, and engage deeply in both lessons and workshops.
To support new students, it is sometimes helpful for them to attend a limited number of tutoring sessions with the classroom teacher. These sessions help establish a trusting, respectful relationship and offer orientation to the wide range of Montessori materials and learning possibilities available.
At EMAS, we recognise that every child’s journey is unique. With patient guidance, a rich learning environment, and genuine respect for each learner’s potential, children who join us soon discover that Montessori education not only meets them where they are but opens new paths for growth, curiosity, and confidence.
We welcome young people into our Adolescent Program at any point during their studies, whether or not they have previous experience of Montessori education or other complementary approaches. Our environment is particularly well suited to students who are ready for a more holistic and self-directed form of learning, or for whom traditional education has not fully met their needs.
Both young people and their parents should have an understanding of the Montessori approach and a positive attitude towards it. A period of adaptation can be expected as learners adjust to taking greater responsibility for their own learning and to participating in a close-knit community where social, emotional, and academic growth are equally valued.
Students are invited to complete trial days before joining. These visits allow them to experience the rhythm of the classroom and help our teachers determine whether we can best meet their needs and learning style. Previous school reports are also reviewed, providing valuable insight into each student’s background and guiding us in tailoring their learning experience.
While students may join the Adolescent Program at any stage, beginning earlier allows for a smoother transition and deeper integration into the culture of collaboration, reflection, and independence that defines life at EMAS.
For children with additional support needs (either suspected or diagnosed), parents are requested to provide relevant information during the application process. If we are not sure that we will be able to meet the child’s needs at the school, this will be communicated to parents prior to enrolment. The child may be offered a place subject to conditions and a satisfactory probationary period. Should a child require specialist equipment not already in place in the school, enrolment may be delayed until appropriate funding is available and the equipment installed.