By Cynthia Ribas-Santos Walnut – The International School of Montessori in Walnut has provided excellent childcare service to the families and children of the Walnut community for over 16 years. The unique Montessori method caters specifically to each child. “Our philosophy is to have a curriculum based on the child,” says Director Pushpa De Silva. “We have individually created it to suit each child with a staff that is warm and dedicated to the children.” The program is equipped and staffed to give the best possible care to these children. The experienced teachers provide a service that has grown out of sincere love for the children and a desire to help them in the proper development and adjustment. “We are proud that most of our students attain skills comparable to children in the second grade when they graduate from our Montessori Kindergarten Program,” says Office Manager Ann Chau. Their aim is to provide a developmentally safe environment that allows the children to develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically towards their full potential. The International School of Montessori provides children the freedom to learn at their own pace in an atmosphere of respect and understanding of individual differences. “We have highly qualified experienced teachers, a disciplined program developed over the years, and we create a fun atmosphere that gives children the self-motivation to enjoy learning,” says Chau. They encourage children to experience the joy of learning and the intrinsic satisfaction through creative use of attractive self-correcting materials and activities. It is a combination of all these things that allows The International School of Montessori to offer the most advanced preschool curriculum in Walnut. “The loving environment and experienced teachers makes a difference,” says De Silva. “Anyone can have a huge, beautiful building, but the teachers make a difference. It’s not academic only, we focus on the child as a whole.”