Love Never Fails!
Diligent Hands Abike Montessori Academy - Where academic excellence is pursued in a loving environment
We are a peaceful Montessori environment that nurtures the whole child, helping them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Explore Our ProgramsWe Nurture Young Minds From
Nest – Toddler Community
6 months - 3 years
Our youngest learners explore the world through sensory play and guided discovery
Children's House
Preschool - Kindergarten (3-6 years)
Kindergarten readiness with a focus on independence and foundational skills
Elementary
Grades 1-6
Building on Montessori foundations with advanced practical life and academic skills
About Us
Our Mission
At Diligent Hands Abike Montessori Academy, we are committed to nurturing the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially. Guided by the Montessori philosophy and anchored in our core belief that "LOVE NEVER FAILS," we provide a peaceful, purposeful learning environment where children feel seen, valued, and empowered.
Our Philosophy
Our school serves children from early childhood through elementary age, offering a carefully prepared environment that supports independence, creativity, critical thinking, and a genuine love for learning. Each child is encouraged to progress at their own pace, with hands-on materials and guidance that meet their unique developmental needs.
From Our Principal
"We at Diligent Hands Abike Montessori Academy consider it an honor to serve you and meet the specific needs of your child. We believe that love, personalized care, and individual attention opens up the doorway to learning and academic excellence. The love shared at our facility is second to none."
"TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN FEEL LOVED, LEARNING IS FUN AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS PURSUED"
Our Montessori Programs
Nest – Toddler Community
For children 6 months to 3 years old. Our toddler program focuses on developing independence, language skills, and motor coordination in a nurturing environment.
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Children's House (Preschool-Kindergarten)
For children 3-6 years old. This program prepares children for elementary school with a focus on practical life skills, sensorial exploration, and early academics.
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Lower Elementary
For Grades 1-3. Our lower elementary program builds on Montessori foundations with advanced practical life, mathematics, language arts, and cultural studies.
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Upper Elementary
For Grades 4-6. Our upper elementary program deepens students' understanding, refines their skills, and encourages greater independence.
Learn MoreOur Montessori Curriculum
Our curriculum follows a carefully designed sequence that respects each child's developmental needs and natural curiosity.
Practical Life
These are the first exercises introduced to the children. They create the foundation upon which all other work in the classroom depends.
Learn MoreGrace & Peace
Good manners and respect for others are essential qualities for a child to cultivate in the early years of life.
Learn MoreLanguage Arts
The Language materials encourage refinement and enrichment as the initial steps on the road to writing and reading.
Learn MoreMathematics
In helping in the organization of the mathematical mind, the materials expose the world of numbers.
Learn MoreCulture & Science
These lessons allow the child to explore and discover their environment and the world as a whole.
Learn MoreAdmissions Process
To be eligible for enrollment, students must meet the age requirements and be toilet-trained (for students entering the Preschool-Kindergarten Program).
Submission of Application Form
Parents/guardians must complete and submit an Enrollment Application Form along with the following documents:
- Copy of the child's birth certificate
- Copy of vaccination/immunization records
- Recent passport-sized photographs of the child
- Any relevant medical records or special needs documentation (if applicable)
- Previous school records (if transferring from another school)
School visit & Parents Orientation
Parents and the child must attend a scheduled school tour and orientation to understand the Montessori philosophy, curriculum, and expectations.
Student observation/Assessment (If Applicable)
The child may be required to attend a trial session or an observation period in the classroom to access readiness.
Admission Decision & Registration Fee
- Once accepted, parents will receive an Acceptance Letter along with tuition details.
- A non-refundable registration fee must be paid to secure the child's spot.
- Note: Only Daycare - Kindergarten programs require a deposit.
Uniform Requirement
- All students from the Toddler Program through Elementary are required to wear the official school uniform.
- The uniform must be worn daily and adhere to the school's dress code guidelines.
- Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child has appropriate uniform.
Parent Involvement
At Diligent Hands Abike Montessori Academy, we believe that education is most powerful when school and home work together. Parents are not just welcome here—they're an essential part of our community.
School Events & Celebrations
Join us for special events such as cultural days, holiday celebrations, and family fun days that bring our school community together in joy and learning.
Volunteer Opportunities
Whether it's helping with gardening, assisting during field trips, or sharing a special skill, your time and talents are always welcome and appreciated.
Open Communication
We use WhatsApp Community to keep families updated on classroom happenings, upcoming events, and your child's progress. We also encourage open conversations between parents and teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children enrolled in our Preschool-Kindergarten (3–6 years) classrooms must be fully potty trained before attending. We understand accidents may still happen occasionally, and our staff responds with patience and care. For children in the Toddler Program (6 months–3 years), potty learning is gently supported as part of their daily routine, aligned with Montessori principles of independence.
Nap time is scheduled from 1:15 PM to 2:30 PM each day. During this time, children who need rest are given a quiet, comfortable space to nap. Those who do not nap are offered calm, quiet activities to ensure the environment remains peaceful for resting classmates.
We do not provide meals or snacks. Families are required to pack nutritious, allergy-conscious meals and snacks each day. Please note that sharing food is not permitted due to the risk of allergies and maintaining a safe environment for all students. Water bottles should be sent daily and labeled with your child's name.
Our approach to discipline is rooted in the Montessori philosophy of respect, self-regulation, and natural consequences. We guide children to understand their actions, make thoughtful choices, and develop self-discipline through a supportive and respectful environment.
We recognize that entering a new environment can be a big step. Our transition process includes gradual orientation, where new students may start with shorter days or individual visits before fully joining the classroom. Teachers offer individualized attention to help children feel safe, comfortable, and confident in their new surroundings.
Contact Us
Get In Touch
Fortlands, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
(869) 765-6718
diligenthandschildcare@gmail.com
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4pm
Send Us a Message
Nest – Toddler Community
For children 6 months to 3 years
Montessori for Toddlers
Our toddler program is carefully designed to meet the developmental needs of children from 6 months to 3 years old. In this sensitive period of rapid growth, we provide a nurturing environment that fosters independence, language development, and motor coordination.
Key Features
Practical Life Skills
Children engage in everyday activities such as pouring, dressing, cleaning, and caring for their environment. These tasks build independence, concentration, coordination, and a sense of responsibility.
Motor Skills
We support both fine and gross motor development through activities like stacking, grasping, climbing, and balancing. These help toddlers build strength, control, and confidence in their movements.
Social Skills
Toddlers learn to interact with peers and adults through guided social experiences. Emphasis is placed on sharing, turn-taking, expressing feelings, and developing empathy within a respectful community.
Curriculum Areas
Cognitive Skills
We encourage curiosity and problem-solving through open-ended activities, matching games, puzzles, and simple sequencing. These help children build memory, attention, and early reasoning skills.
Sensory Skills
Our sensory-rich environment offers materials that engage all five senses. Toddlers explore textures, sounds, smells, shapes, and colors, laying the foundation for deeper learning and classification.
Language Skills
Language development is fostered through stories, songs, naming activities, and conversations. We support vocabulary growth, comprehension, and early expression in a nurturing, language-rich setting.
Daily Schedule
Our toddler program follows a predictable rhythm that provides security while allowing for individual needs:
- 8:30-9:00: Arrival & Free Play
- 9:00-10:30: Montessori Work Cycle
- 10:30-11:00: Outdoor Play
- 11:00-11:30: Lunch
- 11:30-2:00: Nap/Rest Time
- 2:00-2:30: Afternoon Snack
- 2:30-3:30: Group Activities & Dismissal
Children's House
Preschool - Kindergarten (3-6 years)
Montessori for Early Childhood
Our Children's House program serves children from 3 to 6 years old, providing a carefully prepared environment where children can explore, discover, and learn at their own pace. This mixed-age classroom allows younger children to learn from older peers and older children to reinforce their learning by teaching concepts they've mastered.
Key Features
Integrated Curriculum
Subjects are interconnected, allowing children to see relationships between different areas of learning. A study of plants might include science, language, art, and practical life activities.
Hands-on Learning
Concrete materials allow children to understand abstract concepts through physical manipulation before moving to paper-and-pencil work.
Mixed-Age Grouping
Children stay with the same teacher for three years, creating a stable community where older children mentor younger ones.
Curriculum Areas
Practical Life
Advanced care of self and environment, food preparation, and grace & courtesy lessons.
Sensorial
Refinement of all senses through materials that isolate qualities like color, size, shape, texture, sound, and smell.
Mathematics
Concrete materials for counting, operations, and introduction to the decimal system.
Language Arts
Phonetic approach to reading, moveable alphabet for word building, and beginning grammar.
Culture & Science
Geography, science, history, art, and music integrated throughout the curriculum.
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:30-9:00: Arrival & Morning Work
- 9:00-11:30: Uninterrupted Work Cycle
- 11:30-12:00: Outdoor Play
- 12:00-12:30: Lunch
- 12:30-2:00: Rest/Quiet Activities
- 2:00-2:30: Afternoon Work Period
- 2:30-3:00: Group Activities
- 3:00-3:30: Dismissal
Kindergarten Year
The third year in our Children's House program is the crucial "kindergarten year" where children synthesize all they've learned in previous years. They emerge as classroom leaders, mentoring younger students while solidifying their academic foundation for elementary school.
Lower Elementary Program
For Grades 1-3
Montessori Elementary Education
Our Lower Elementary program builds on the foundation established in Early Childhood, serving children in grades 1 through 3 (ages 6-9). At this stage, children move from concrete learning to more abstract thinking, while maintaining the hands-on approach that makes Montessori so effective.
Key Features
Cosmic Education
All subjects are presented as interconnected parts of a whole, helping children understand their place in the universe and their responsibility to it.
Imagination & Abstraction
Children use their imagination to explore concepts beyond their immediate environment, from ancient civilizations to the vastness of space.
Collaborative Learning
Students frequently work in small groups, developing teamwork and leadership skills while learning from each other.
Curriculum Highlights
Mathematics
Advanced operations, memorization of math facts, fractions, measurement, and introduction to geometry.
Language Arts
Reading fluency, creative and expository writing, grammar analysis, spelling, and research skills.
Cultural Studies
Geography, physical science, life science, history, and anthropology presented through "Great Lessons" that spark curiosity.
Advanced Practical Life
Community service, time management, organization, and responsibility for the classroom environment.
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:30-9:00: Morning Meeting
- 9:00-11:30: Morning Work Cycle (individual and small group lessons)
- 11:30-12:00: Outdoor Play
- 12:00-12:30: Lunch
- 12:30-1:00: Silent Reading
- 1:00-2:30: Afternoon Work Cycle (project work)
- 2:30-3:00: Community Time
- 3:00-3:30: Dismissal
Assessment
Rather than traditional tests and grades, we assess students through:
- Teacher observation and record-keeping
- Student portfolios of work
- Narrative progress reports
- Demonstration of mastery through teaching concepts to others
Upper Elementary Program
For Grades 4-6
Montessori Upper Elementary Education
Our Upper Elementary program builds upon the foundations of Lower Elementary by deepening students' understanding, refining their skills, and encouraging greater independence. This stage supports the Montessori vision of the second plane of development, where children are increasingly capable of abstract thinking, collaborative work, and intellectual exploration.
Key Features
Cosmic Education
Students explore the interconnectedness of all knowledge through interdisciplinary studies that combine science, history, geography, and cultural studies.
Research Skills
Students develop advanced research skills, learning to gather, analyze, and present information from multiple sources.
Leadership Development
Older students take on leadership roles, mentoring younger students and organizing community projects.
Curriculum Highlights
Physical & Cultural Geography
Students explore the Earth's major systems and human societies across the globe, emphasizing the interaction between people and their environments.
World History
Students explore topics that interest them about how the world has evolved and the history of their nation through independent research and hands-on projects.
Zoology & Botany
Students study animal species and their adaptations, as well as plant classification and microscopic structures, developing appreciation for life sciences.
Matter & Energy
Students investigate properties of matter, states of matter, and various forms of energy through hands-on experiments and observations.
Typical Daily Schedule
- 8:30-9:00: Morning Meeting & Planning
- 9:00-11:30: Core Academic Work (individual and group projects)
- 11:30-12:00: Outdoor Activities
- 12:00-12:30: Lunch
- 12:30-1:00: Independent Reading
- 1:00-2:30: Specialized Studies & Electives
- 2:30-3:00: Community Meeting
- 3:00-3:30: Dismissal
Assessment
Our assessment approach focuses on holistic development:
- Portfolio assessments showcasing student work
- Self-evaluations and peer feedback
- Teacher observations and narrative reports
- Presentation of research projects
- Demonstration of practical life skills
Practical Life Curriculum
The foundation of Montessori education
Practical Life: Building Independence
Practical Life exercises are the foundation of the Montessori classroom. These activities help children develop coordination, concentration, independence, and order while preparing them indirectly for more advanced work in all areas of the curriculum.
Care of Self
Activities that help children become independent in meeting their own needs:
- Dressing frames (buttons, zippers, snaps, bows)
- Hand washing
- Nose blowing
- Hanging up coats
- Putting on shoes
- Toileting skills
Care of Environment
Activities that teach children to care for their classroom and surroundings:
- Sweeping
- Mopping
- Dusting
- Plant care
- Table washing
- Window cleaning
- Flower arranging
Grace & Courtesy
Lessons in social skills and polite behavior:
- Greeting others
- Saying please and thank you
- Interrupting politely
- Table manners
- Conflict resolution
- Offering help
Food Preparation
Simple cooking activities that develop fine motor skills:
- Peeling and slicing fruits/vegetables
- Spreading
- Pouring
- Measuring
- Mixing
- Baking simple recipes
Grace & Peace Curriculum
Nurturing kind and respectful individuals
Grace & Peace: Social and Emotional Learning
Our Grace and Peace curriculum focuses on developing social skills, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution abilities. These lessons help children navigate social situations with confidence and kindness, creating a peaceful classroom community.
Grace & Courtesy
Lessons in polite behavior and social norms:
- Greeting others
- Saying please and thank you
- Interrupting politely
- Offering help
- Table manners
- Welcoming visitors
- Apologizing sincerely
Emotional Intelligence
Activities that develop self-awareness and empathy:
- Identifying and naming emotions
- Peace corner for self-regulation
- Empathy exercises
- Mindfulness activities
- Yoga and breathing techniques
- Conflict resolution role-playing
Peace Education
Lessons that promote global citizenship:
- Peace table for conflict resolution
- Study of peacemakers
- Cultural appreciation
- Environmental stewardship
- Community service projects
Sensorial Curriculum
Refining the senses for learning
Sensorial: The Gateway to Learning
The Sensorial materials in a Montessori classroom are designed to help children refine each of their senses. These materials isolate one quality such as color, size, shape, texture, sound, or smell, allowing children to focus on that one characteristic.
Visual Discrimination
Materials that develop the sense of sight:
- Pink Tower (size)
- Brown Stair (thickness)
- Red Rods (length)
- Color Tablets (color gradation)
- Geometric Cabinet (shape)
- Binomial and Trinomial Cubes
Tactile Sense
Materials that refine the sense of touch:
- Touch Boards (rough/smooth)
- Touch Tablets (gradation of roughness)
- Fabric Box (matching fabrics by feel)
- Thermic Tablets (temperature)
- Baric Tablets (weight)
Auditory Sense
Materials that develop the sense of hearing:
- Sound Cylinders (matching sounds)
- Bells (musical pitch)
- Rhythm activities
- Listening walks
Olfactory & Gustatory
Materials that refine smell and taste:
- Smelling Bottles (matching scents)
- Tasting Bottles (identifying flavors)
- Herb and spice exploration
Language Arts Curriculum
From spoken word to written expression
Language Arts: The Foundation of Communication
Our language curriculum follows the natural development of language skills, from spoken language to reading and writing. The Montessori approach emphasizes phonics, whole language, and a rich linguistic environment to nurture competent readers and writers.
Spoken Language
Foundational activities that develop vocabulary and expression:
- Vocabulary enrichment (classified cards, objects)
- Storytelling and sequencing
- Conversation games
- Poetry and rhymes
- Sound games (beginning sounds, ending sounds)
Writing Preparation
Indirect preparation for writing through:
- Metal Insets (pencil control)
- Sandpaper Letters (letter formation)
- Moveable Alphabet (word building)
- Chalkboards
- Tracing activities
Reading
Phonetic approach to reading development:
- Phonetic Object Boxes
- Phonogram Cards
- Puzzle Words (sight words)
- Reading Classification
- Reading Analysis
Handwriting
Developing beautiful penmanship:
- Cursive writing (our preferred method)
- Print writing
- Journal writing
- Story writing
- Letter writing
Mathematics Curriculum
Concrete to abstract understanding
Mathematics: Building the Mathematical Mind
Montessori mathematics materials give children a solid understanding of mathematical concepts by moving from concrete experiences to abstract understanding. Children work with materials that isolate concepts before combining them in more complex ways.
Numbers 1-10
Foundational materials that introduce quantity and symbol:
- Number Rods (quantity)
- Sandpaper Numerals (symbol)
- Spindle Boxes (quantity to symbol)
- Cards and Counters (odd/even)
- Memory Game of Numbers
Decimal System
Materials that introduce place value up to 9,999:
- Golden Bead Material (concrete quantity)
- Number Cards (symbol)
- Formation of Numbers
- Decimal Layout
- Bank Game (operations with golden beads)
Operations
Materials for the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division):
- Stamp Game
- Dot Game
- Bead Bars
- Small Bead Frame
- Large Bead Frame
- Checkerboard (multiplication)
- Racks and Tubes (division)
Geometry
Exploring shapes and their properties:
- Geometric Cabinet
- Constructive Triangles
- Geometric Solids
- Polygons
- Measurement (perimeter, area, volume)
Culture & Science Curriculum
Exploring our world and beyond
Culture & Science: Understanding Our World
Our Cultural and Science curriculum introduces children to geography, history, physical science, life science, and anthropology. These subjects help children understand their place in the world and develop respect for all living things and cultures.
Geography
Materials and activities that introduce physical and political geography:
- Land and water forms
- Continent maps and puzzles
- Country flags
- Cultural studies of different countries
- Climate zones
- Map making
Botany
Exploring the plant kingdom through hands-on materials:
- Parts of plants (root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit)
- Plant classification
- Tree and leaf identification
- Gardening activities
- Photosynthesis experiments
- Plant life cycles
Zoology
Studying the animal kingdom with classification and care activities:
- Vertebrate/invertebrate classification
- Animal habitat studies
- Parts of animals (fish, frog, bird, horse, etc.)
- Life cycles (butterfly, frog, chicken)
- Animal tracking and observation
- Pet care responsibilities
Physical Science
Introduction to basic physics and chemistry concepts:
- States of matter
- Sink and float experiments
- Magnetism
- Simple machines
- Light and color experiments
- Weather and climate studies