The Monarch Tree

What it is named for

Transition and milestones

A monarch crosses a continent on wings that weigh nothing, and it does it in stages, generation handing off to generation. This centre is named for transition: the infant becoming a toddler, the toddler becoming a talker, the child becoming a student.

Transition planning written into the handbook, not improvised
Documentation that travels with the child to the next room and the next school
Families briefed before a change, never after it

Meet the director

Director — to be appointed

This centre is still choosing the person who will lead it. We would rather say that plainly than put a name here for the sake of it. If you have run a room, held a licence, or spent years doing this well and quietly, we would like to hear from you.

Talk to us about leading it

At a glance

The shape of it

Infant–PreK

Ages served

Planned capacity

Shift & gig

Schedule built for

In formation

Current status

Status, stated plainly. This centre is in formation. It is not open, it is not enrolling, and nothing on this page should be read as an offer of care or as a representation about a licence. The page exists so the people building the network can see what each centre is meant to be.

A day here

What your child’s day is shaped like

Nothing here is running yet. This is the day the centre is being built to have, written down so you can hold us to it.

Arriving

The same face at the door each morning, so the handover is a hello rather than a negotiation.

Settling

New children get days, not one morning. Nobody is thrown in to see if they swim.

Moving up

A change of room is planned with you weeks ahead and written down — never sprung on a child on the day.

Carrying on

What your child likes, fears and can do travels with them to the next room and the next school.

Going home

Milestones told to you when they happen, not saved up for a report in June.

A story for the name

The One Who Was Not Ready

On the underside of a leaf, a small striped caterpillar had made up her mind about one thing: she was not going.

All her friends had gone already. One morning they were there, and the next there were only small quiet shells hanging in a row, and she did not like the look of it at all.

“I am not ready,” she told the tree.

“I know,” said the tree.

“I do not know what happens in there.”

“I know,” said the tree. “Nobody does, the first time.”

“Will you still be here?” asked the caterpillar, very quietly, because it was the only question she really had.

“I will be exactly here,” said the tree. “I am not going anywhere at all. You can take as long as you like.”

So she took as long as she liked. And when she came out, folded and damp and entirely new, the first thing she saw was the same old branch she had started from, holding her up while her wings dried.

Then she flew two thousand miles. But she went from there.

About ninety seconds out loud. Ours to tell, yours to borrow at bedtime.

Questions parents ask

Straight answers

When does it open?

There is no opening date, and we would rather say that than invent one. The chip at the top of this page says “in formation” for exactly that reason. If you want to be told when there is real news, email us and we will tell you.

Does it hold a licence?

No, and this page does not suggest otherwise. Nothing here is an offer of care. If and when there is one, its number will be printed on this page — and not a day before.

What ages?

It is being planned for infants through pre-kindergarten.

Can I look round?

Not yet — there is no building to look round. When there is, you will be able to stand in it before you decide anything, which is the only way to judge one of these.

How do I ask a question?

Email info@theopportunitytree.com. A person reads it.

Ask about The Monarch Tree