173 FAQs
We offer three educational preschool programs:
- Nido Program for infants 6 – 24 months
- Toddler Program for children 18 months through 3 years
- Primary Program for children 3 years through kindergarten, which includes Transitional Kindergarten (TK).
All of our programs are taught in both English and Spanish, so a bilingual program is integrated into our Montessori environment throughout the day. In each program, children develop independence, knowledge, confidence and a love for learning.
Families in La Jolla often seek out Montessori education because the community highly values academic excellence, global readiness, and holistic early childhood development. When choosing a school like La Jolla Montessori School, parents typically look for a environment that delivers an authentic Montessori foundation while reflecting their family’s lifestyle—offering early language immersion, high standards for independence, and strong preparation for a rapidly changing world.
Families looking for more than a traditional preschool or childcare experience and choose a Montessori preschool share that they want an environment where their child is known as an individual, treated with warmth and respect, encouraged to become independent, and given the freedom to develop a genuine love of learning.
In multi-lingual and international communities like La Jolla, parents prioritize early language acquisition. Dual-language Montessori environments feature co-teaching models with dedicated English and Spanish educators, allowing children to absorb a second language naturally through daily routines, songs, and self-directed work during their most formative brain-development years.
La Jolla Montessori School offers full-day and half-day preschool options tailored to each program to meet the needs of families while supporting consistency for their children.
For our youngest students in the Nido Infant program, the half-day schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while the full-day program extends to 3:00 p.m.
In the Toddler program, the half-day option is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and the full-day option runs until 3:00 p.m.
Finally, our Primary through Kindergarten program features a slightly earlier start, with a half-day schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a full-day schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Please check our program pages for the most up-to-date information and to inquire about our Extended Day Program (EDP) and its availability.
Many children begin preschool between the ages of two and four, depending on their developmental readiness and family needs. Signs of readiness may include growing independence, curiosity about other children, interest in routines, and a desire to explore beyond the home environment. At La Jolla Montessori School, our infant program start at 6 months old, our toddler program starts at 18 months old and our primary through Kindergarten program starts at 3 years old through 6 years old. Our programs are designed to meet children where they are developmentally and provide a supportive transition into a nurturing classroom community.
Many families find Montessori preschool to be a valuable investment because it supports the whole child’s development while fostering independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Montessori education emphasizes individualized instruction, hands-on experiences, and meaningful skill development that can benefit children both academically and socially. Parents often appreciate the long-term advantages of helping children become capable, self-motivated learners.
Parents searching for the best preschools in La Jolla often prioritize safety, nurturing teachers, individualized attention, independence, confidence, communication, and a love of learning—qualities repeatedly highlighted in reviews of La Jolla Montessori School.
The best Montessori preschool is one that aligns with your family’s values, offers authentic Montessori practices, employs qualified educators, and provides a nurturing environment where children can thrive. Families exploring Montessori education at La Jolla Montessori School often look for experienced teachers, thoughtfully prepared classrooms, strong parent communication, and a commitment to child-centered learning. Visiting schools and observing classrooms can help determine the best fit for your child and family. Book a tour to explore La Jolla Montessori School and see why we’ve earned 5 star reviews on Yelp and Google and voted best preschool in La Jolla!
Choosing a preschool is about finding an environment where your child will feel safe, known, respected, and excited to learn. While every family has different priorities, there are several qualities worth looking for when evaluating a preschool.
1. A warm, responsive teaching team
Young children learn best when they have trusting relationships with consistent adults. Ask whether teachers know each child individually, how they respond when a child is upset, and whether the classroom feels calm, respectful, and nurturing.
2. A developmentally appropriate approach
A quality preschool should meet children where they are rather than expecting every child to learn at the same pace. Look for opportunities for movement, hands-on exploration, conversation, creativity, independence, and meaningful play and work.
3. Opportunities to develop independence
Preschool should be about more than supervision and early academics. Children benefit enormously from learning to care for themselves, make choices, solve problems, participate in classroom routines, and take responsibility for their environment.
4. Small groups and meaningful individual attention
Ask about class size, teacher-to-child ratios, and how teachers are able to observe and respond to individual children’s needs. A lower ratio can make it easier for teachers to provide personalized guidance and build strong relationships with each child.
5. A thoughtfully prepared environment
Look around the classroom. Is it orderly, inviting, safe, and designed for children to participate independently? Are materials accessible to them? Do children appear engaged and purposeful rather than simply being entertained?
6. A strong approach to social-emotional development
Ask how the school handles conflict, frustration, separation, big emotions, and challenging behavior. Look for teachers who guide children with respect and help them develop self-regulation rather than relying primarily on punishment or rewards.
7. A genuine partnership with parents
Parents should feel informed and welcomed. Ask how teachers communicate about a child’s day, development, milestones, and concerns, and whether families have opportunities to communicate with the teaching team.
8. Continuity and consistency
If you hope your child will remain at the school for several years, ask what happens as children move from one program to the next. Continuity can provide children with a familiar community while allowing their independence and responsibilities to grow.
9. A philosophy that matches your family
Perhaps most importantly, make sure the school’s educational philosophy aligns with what you want for your child. If you are considering Montessori, ask whether the school follows Montessori principles authentically and consistently—not simply whether it uses Montessori materials.
For families searching for a preschool in La Jolla, the best choice is ultimately the school where the educational philosophy, teachers, environment, communication, and overall culture feel right for your child and your family.
Montessori preschool tuition in La Jolla varies depending on factors such as program schedules, age groups, and enrollment options. Families interested in La Jolla Montessori school, can visit our program pages to see our current tuition information. Prospective families are encouraged to schedule a tour and speak with our admissions team to learn more about enrollment opportunities and tuition details.
A preschool tour is an opportunity to look beyond the beautiful classroom and understand what your child’s everyday experience will actually be like. Consider asking questions in these areas:
About the classroom
- What does a typical day look like?
- How much time do children spend indoors and outdoors?
- How much of the day is teacher-directed versus child-directed?
- How are activities selected for individual children?
- How do you support children who learn or develop at different rates?
About the teachers
- What are the teachers’ qualifications and experience?
- How long have the teachers been at the school?
- How does the school maintain consistency when a teacher is absent?
- How do teachers handle conflict, frustration, and challenging behavior?
- How do teachers help children who are having difficulty separating from their parents?
About independence and development
- How do you encourage children to become independent?
- What responsibilities do children have in the classroom?
- How do you support social-emotional development?
- How do you prepare children for the next stage of development?
About Montessori, if applicable
- Is the school authentically Montessori?
- Are the teachers Montessori-trained?
- What Montessori materials and experiences are available to children?
- How are Montessori principles incorporated into the entire day rather than taught as a separate activity?
- How does the school balance individual choice with classroom expectations?
About language
- Is the program bilingual or language-enrichment based?
- How are additional languages incorporated into the day?
- How much exposure do children receive to each language?
- Are children expected to already speak the second language?
About communication and parent partnership
- How will I know how my child is doing?
- How do teachers communicate with parents?
- How are developmental concerns communicated?
- Are parents invited to participate in classroom or school activities?
About the practical details
- What are the school hours?
- What is included in tuition?
- What are the enrollment and re-enrollment policies?
- What is the teacher-to-child ratio?
- What happens when a child is sick?
- What are the school’s safety and emergency procedures?
- Is there a waiting list?
And perhaps the most important question to ask yourself during the tour is:
Do the children look happy, engaged, comfortable, and genuinely interested in what they are doing?
Pay attention to how teachers speak to children, whether children are treated with respect, whether the classroom feels calm and purposeful, and whether the adults seem to genuinely enjoy being with the children. Those observations can tell you as much about a preschool as its website or brochure.
For families touring La Jolla Montessori School, we encourage parents to ask questions, observe the classroom, meet the teachers, and consider whether our Montessori philosophy and bilingual environment are the right fit for their child. The best preschool is not simply the one with the longest list of features—it is the one where your child can feel secure, develop independence, build meaningful relationships, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
The best choice depends on your child’s developmental needs, learning style, and your family’s educational goals. Families that appreciate Montessori’s individualized approach, emphasis on independence, and hands-on learning experiences prefer Montessori versus Transitional Kindergarten’s traditional structure. Visiting both programs and observing classroom environments can help determine which setting is the best fit for your child.
Montessori education has long provided a comprehensive educational pathway that includes the developmental goals commonly associated with Transitional Kindergarten (TK). In an authentic Montessori Primary program, children progress through a carefully designed three-year learning cycle that supports academic, social, emotional, and practical life development from preschool through kindergarten.
Eligibility for Montessori kindergarten depends on a child’s age, developmental readiness, and the school’s admissions guidelines. Because Montessori Primary programs already incorporate the foundational skills and experiences that TK is designed to provide, many children who have participated in a Montessori environment continue naturally into the Montessori kindergarten year without attending a separate TK program.
At La Jolla Montessori School, children build progressively upon their learning each year, developing strong foundations in literacy, mathematics, problem-solving, independence, concentration, and social-emotional skills. Families are encouraged to speak with the school to determine the program placement that best supports their child’s individual developmental needs and educational journey.
Authentic Montessori kindergarten programs, such as our La Jolla Montessori School’s programs, provide comprehensive academic instruction in language, mathematics, science, geography, and cultural studies while supporting social-emotional development and executive functioning skills. Montessori students often meet or exceed traditional academic expectations through hands-on learning experiences that encourage deep understanding and mastery of concepts.
Accreditation varies by school so it’s very important to ask individual schools about their accreditation status, licensing, and professional affiliations when researching the best Montessori school in La Jolla. When evaluating a Montessori kindergarten, it is also helpful to inquire about teacher credentials, Montessori training, classroom practices, and the school’s commitment to authentic Montessori principles. At La Jolla Montessori School, you can review our Staff’s educational background by visiting our staff page and ask our Director any questions related to accreditation while touring our school.
We offer two options to accommodate different family needs. Please visit our Nido Program page to review our program options and hours.
La Jolla Montessori School welcomes infants from 6 months to 24 months old. Our environment is designed to accommodate various developmental stages, including non-mobile infants, crawlers, and those learning to walk.
Please Click on the Book A Tour button on our website to tour La Jolla Montessori School. We encourage interested families to tour our school to see the Nido environment in person and meet our educators prior to enrollment.
Accreditation varies by school so it’s very important to ask individual schools about their accreditation status, licensing, and professional affiliations when researching the best Montessori school in La Jolla. When evaluating a Montessori kindergarten, it is also helpful to inquire about teacher credentials, Montessori training, classroom practices, and the school’s commitment to authentic Montessori principles. At La Jolla Montessori School, you can review our Staff’s educational background by visiting our staff page and ask our Director any questions related to accreditation while touring our school.
Yes. The program operates in accordance with California state licensing requirements for early childhood education and infant care.
Dr. Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator, and pioneer in child development who developed the Montessori Method more than a century ago. Through her observations of children, she discovered that young learners thrive when given freedom, respect, and access to purposeful activities that support their natural development. Her educational philosophy continues to influence schools worldwide, including La Jolla Montessori School, where her principles remain the foundation of our approach to education.
Children’s classroom activities are called “work,” as part of our strategy to develop a positive association between school, learning, and work. Teachers incorporate “extracurricular” activities into the classroom, including music, art, and much more! Our teachers give lessons in Spanish and English so a bilingual program is integrated into our Montessori environment every minute of the day.
Traditional preschools often rely on teacher-led, one-size-fits-all instruction. In contrast, Montessori education focuses on hands-on, self-directed learning where children progress at their own developmental pace. At La Jolla Montessori School, we elevate this authentic foundation through a specialized curriculum designed to nurture confident, self-motivated learners from infancy through Kindergarten:
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Bilingual Immersion Model: Every classroom features a dual-language co-teaching model with two Head Teachers—one speaking exclusively English and the other exclusively Spanish. Children build natural fluency, cognitive flexibility, and listening comprehension during their peak language-acquisition years through daily conversation, storytimes, and lessons.
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Sequential, Hands-On Curriculum: From the Infant Nido (6–24 months) to Kindergarten, children work with self-correcting Montessori materials across five core areas: Practical Life, Sensory Refinement, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies (geography, botany, and science). Materials move sequentially from concrete exploration to abstract mastery.
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Multi-Age Classroom Community: Mixed-age groupings allow younger children to learn by observing older peers, while older students reinforce their own understanding and build leadership skills by mentoring classmates.
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Practical Life & Executive Function: Children engage in real-world activities—such as food preparation, pouring, sweeping, and buttoning—building fine-motor precision, spatial reasoning, concentration, and true independence.
By trusting children to choose meaningful work within a prepared environment, we nurture their natural “inner teacher.” La Jolla Montessori School students graduate with strong academic skills, social-emotional maturity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Montessori children are given the trust and respect to make their own choices and judgments; they receive space to explore their interests at the pace they’re comfortable with. This leads to children who have great self awareness, high self-esteem, and a love of learning and challenges. Montessori children grow into confident, capable adults who love to think “outside the box.” We feel children are capable of amazing things at a younger age than most people consider. We nurture children’s “inner teachers” and allow them to discover their wonderful abilities.
Dr. Montessori opened the Montessori Training Centre in Laren, Netherlands, in 1938, and founded a series of teacher training courses in India in 1939. The training center, Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), continues to train teachers around the world today. One of its many objectives is, “Spreading and upholding the pedagogical principles and practice formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori, which ensures the independence of the child’s personality through successive stages of growth until he reaches full normal development by means of his own activity.” Many variations of the Montessori method exist, since it was never copyrighted, and a few have very little to do with Montessori theory or materials. It’s up to parents to explore the different schools to find the right Montessori for their child. A Montessori Primer The Montessori method is something many parents have heard about, but most are unfamiliar with its specifics. Here are answers to some common questions about Montessori. “Free the child’s potential and you will transform him into the world.” –Maria Montessori
Montessori education is a child-centered approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that encourages independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Rather than relying on teacher-led instruction alone, Montessori classrooms provide carefully prepared environments where children learn through hands-on experiences, purposeful activities, and self-directed exploration. At La Jolla Montessori School, children are guided by experienced Montessori educators who support each child’s unique developmental journey while fostering academic, social, emotional, and practical life skills.
Montessori education helps children develop independence, confidence, concentration, problem-solving skills, and a genuine love of learning. Children learn at their own pace while building strong academic foundations through hands-on experiences. At La Jolla Montessori School, Montessori education also nurtures creativity, respect, responsibility, and social-emotional growth, helping children become capable learners and compassionate members of their community.
The Montessori Method is an educational philosophy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that recognizes children as naturally curious and capable learners. The method emphasizes hands-on learning, freedom within limits, mixed-age classrooms, and individualized instruction. At La Jolla Montessori School, the Montessori Method guides every aspect of the classroom environment, allowing children to develop independence, confidence, and a strong sense of responsibility while mastering academic concepts through meaningful experiences.
A prepared environment is a carefully designed Montessori classroom that encourages independence, exploration, and purposeful learning. Materials are organized, accessible, and developmentally appropriate so children can make choices, work independently, and care for their surroundings. At La Jolla Montessori School, every classroom is intentionally prepared to support each stage of development while promoting concentration, confidence, and self-motivation.
Practical Life is one of the foundations of Montessori education. It consists of purposeful, everyday activities that help children develop independence, coordination, concentration, order, responsibility, and confidence.
Instead of adults doing everything for children, Montessori gives children opportunities to participate in meaningful tasks that they are developmentally ready to do themselves.
In a Montessori classroom, Practical Life activities might include pouring, transferring, washing, sweeping, preparing food, caring for plants, arranging materials, dressing, cleaning, serving oneself, and caring for the classroom environment.
These activities may look simple to an adult, but they involve sophisticated developmental work for a young child. Pouring water, for example, requires coordination, concentration, control of movement, and careful attention. Preparing a snack involves sequencing, decision-making, fine-motor skills, and responsibility. Returning materials to their proper place develops order and respect for the environment.
Perhaps most importantly, Practical Life gives children the experience of saying, “I can do it myself.”
That experience builds genuine confidence. Rather than praise being based primarily on an outcome, Montessori children experience the satisfaction that comes from practicing a skill, solving a problem, completing a task, and gradually mastering something that was once difficult.
Practical Life is therefore much more than teaching children how to pour water or clean a table. It is a Montessori approach to helping children become capable, confident, independent human beings.
La Jolla Montessori School offers an authentic Montessori education that supports children from infancy through kindergarten in carefully prepared environments designed to foster independence, curiosity, and confidence. Unlike many traditional private schools, our classrooms emphasize hands-on learning, individualized instruction, mixed-age communities, and uninterrupted work periods that allow children to develop concentration and self-motivation. Our experienced Montessori educators partner closely with families to support each child’s unique developmental journey while cultivating a lifelong love of learning.
Montessori preschool helps children develop the academic, social, emotional, and practical life skills needed for a successful transition to kindergarten. Through hands-on learning experiences, children build strong foundations in early literacy, mathematics, problem-solving, concentration, communication, and independence. At La Jolla Montessori School, children are also encouraged to develop responsibility, collaboration, conflict resolution, self-management, and self-confidence. These essential skills help children become capable, independent learners who are well prepared for kindergarten and future academic success.
Both Montessori and public kindergarten programs aim to prepare children for future academic success, but their approaches may differ. Montessori classrooms emphasize individualized learning, hands-on exploration, mixed-age communities, and child-directed work within a structured environment. Public kindergarten programs often follow state curriculum standards through more teacher-directed instruction. Families choose the option that best aligns with their child’s learning style and educational goals.
Both Montessori kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) support children’s readiness for future academic success, but they differ in structure and educational approach. Transitional Kindergarten is part of California’s public education system and is designed to provide an additional year of preparation before traditional kindergarten.
Montessori kindergarten is the culmination of a comprehensive three-year Primary program that begins during the preschool years. Children build upon a strong foundation of hands-on learning, independence, concentration, language, mathematics, practical life, and social-emotional development established throughout their Montessori experience. Rather than focusing solely on kindergarten readiness, Montessori kindergarten students continue progressing through an individualized curriculum that allows them to deepen academic skills while developing leadership, responsibility, and confidence.
At La Jolla Montessori School, children in the Kindergarten year benefit from being the oldest students in a mixed-age classroom community, where they serve as role models, reinforce previously learned concepts, and engage in advanced lessons tailored to their readiness and interests. This comprehensive educational experience helps prepare children for elementary school and lifelong learning.
We value strong partnerships with families and encourage open communication, collaboration, and involvement throughout each child’s educational journey.
Mixed-age environments at La Jolla Montessori School allow younger children to observe and learn from older peers while older children develop empathy, leadership, patience, and social confidence through modeling and collaboration.
Starting Montessori in infancy is an investment in the whole child—fostering independence, concentration, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning from the very beginning. Rather than waiting until preschool, our Infant Nido environment (6 to 24 months) is thoughtfully prepared to give infants freedom of movement, safe exploration, and meaningful, age-appropriate activities.
As infants practice making choices, persisting through challenges, and mastering real-world tasks, they develop crucial habits for “learning how to learn.” These early experiences build self-reliance and cognitive resilience, creating a seamless foundation for success as children transition into our Toddler and Primary classrooms.
Beyond early care, beginning in infancy provides cohesive continuity within the same educational philosophy, shaping capable, curious, and self-motivated learners for life.
Children gain confidence through opportunities to make choices, solve problems, practice self-help skills, and successfully participate in daily routines independently.
Families often choose Montessori early because it supports foundational brain development, independence, emotional security, language growth, and healthy social-emotional development during the most important years of early childhood.
The prepared environment is intentionally designed to be safe, calm, organized, and developmentally appropriate. Low shelves, natural materials, movement areas, and carefully selected activities encourage infants to independently explore and learn through hands-on experiences.
Montessori supports infant development by recognizing that babies learn best through movement, observation, hands-on exploration, and meaningful relationships. In the Infant Nido program, caregivers carefully observe each child’s developmental needs and provide a prepared environment that encourages independence, language development, motor skills, concentration, emotional security, and confidence.
Infants develop social skills through respectful interactions, observation, guided peer experiences, shared routines, and positive relationships with caregivers and classmates.
Teachers encourage independence by allowing infants opportunities to move freely, participate in routines, make choices, feed themselves when ready, and explore their environment safely and confidently.
We use a natural immersion model with two dedicated teachers in the classroom: one who speaks exclusively in English and another who speaks exclusively in Spanish. By hearing both languages through daily interactions, stories, and songs, infants begin to absorb the phonetic structures of both languages effortlessly.
“Follow the child” means observing each infant carefully and responding to their individual developmental needs, interests, readiness, and natural pace of learning.
Infants are introduced to simple, natural, sensory-rich Montessori materials that encourage grasping, movement, coordination, visual tracking, language development, and independent exploration.
Montessori helps infants build concentration, coordination, confidence, communication, independence, and social-emotional skills that support a successful transition into toddler environments.
The classroom is intentionally designed with peaceful routines, gentle guidance, organized spaces, natural materials, and responsive caregiving to support emotional well-being.
Unlike traditional daycare, which may focus primarily on infant play and supervision, La Jolla Montessori School’s Nido program is a “prepared environment” for infants, designed to respect the infant’s “absorbent mind.”
Infants begin developing practical life skills such as self-feeding, hand washing participation, putting away materials, movement coordination, communication, and early self-care routines.
Should a child become ill while at school, they will be isolated in the office and we will immediately notify their parents. Children with a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and / or lethargy will be sent home.
Parents can support Montessori at home by encouraging independence, maintaining consistent routines, providing child-sized opportunities, and creating calm, orderly spaces for exploration. We also provide resources, including our Parent Education series.
Yes. Authentic Montessori “toys” are purposefully designed learning materials made from natural elements. They feature a single learning concept, allow self-correction, and foster independence, concentration, fine motor skills, and problem-solving.
Early language immersion is one of the best ways for children to become bilingual – a privilege that has shown to have life-long benefits. Our Spanish bilingual program is integrated into the Montessori classroom, so children receive both the authentic Montessori education and a strong Spanish language program at the same time. Every classroom will have two Head Teachers, one who speaks English only and one who speaks Spanish only. Children will receive lessons on the different areas of the classroom in both languages to solidify their understanding of both.
In our Nido program, infants are also naturally exposed to both English and Spanish throughout the day through songs, conversations, routines, stories, and everyday interactions.
Early bilingual exposure supports language development, listening skills, cultural awareness, communication abilities, and cognitive flexibility.
No, learning two languages does not confuse young children. During early childhood, a child’s brain is uniquely wired to absorb multiple languages simultaneously and effortlessly. Through our “One Teacher, One Language” co-teaching model, children quickly learn to associate each language with a specific Guide and context, allowing them to distinguish between English and Spanish naturally.
It is completely normal for young bilingual learners to occasionally mix words from both languages—a healthy process known as “code-switching” that reflects an expanding vocabulary and active brain development, not confusion. Far from delaying language development, early dual-language immersion enhances cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and executive function, giving your child a powerful foundation for lifelong learning.
At La Jolla Montessori School, children are immersed naturally in both English and Spanish throughout the school day. Rather than treating Spanish as a separate academic subject that children memorize, bilingual learning is incorporated into authentic classroom experiences, conversations, routines, songs, activities, and relationships.
It is also completely normal for a child learning two languages to use words from both languages in the same sentence or to understand more of one language than they can initially express. This is part of the normal process of becoming bilingual and does not mean that the child is confused.
A bilingual Montessori environment gives children the opportunity to develop communication skills while also experiencing another language as something meaningful and connected to real life. Over time, children can develop increasing confidence communicating in both languages while gaining an appreciation for different ways of expressing ideas and connecting with others.
For families considering bilingual preschool in La Jolla, the goal is not simply for children to “learn Spanish.” It is to create a natural, joyful environment in which two languages become part of the child’s everyday experience.
English and Spanish are naturally woven into your child’s everyday experiences at La Jolla Montessori School. Each classroom features two dedicated Guides—one speaking exclusively in English and the other exclusively in Spanish—creating a dual-language environment much like a bilingual home.
Over time, children absorb both languages organically during familiar moments of the day, including greetings, songs, group reading, individual Montessori lessons, and mealtime conversations. Connecting new words directly to real-world context builds natural fluency and strong listening comprehension.
This approach allows children to experience language in context. Instead of learning vocabulary as isolated words on a worksheet, children hear language connected to meaningful actions, objects, relationships, and experiences.
The Montessori environment is particularly well suited to this approach because children learn through hands-on experiences and purposeful activity. A child may be introduced to language while preparing food, caring for the classroom, working with a Montessori material, singing a song, listening to a story, or communicating with a teacher.
Over time, repeated exposure in meaningful contexts helps children become increasingly comfortable understanding and using both languages.
We love hearing from parents about how delighted they are to watch their children effortlessly begin using Spanish at home!
For families seeking a bilingual Montessori preschool in La Jolla, this combination of authentic Montessori education and daily English-Spanish immersion offers children an opportunity to develop language naturally while simultaneously building independence, concentration, social skills, and confidence.
Yes. The program operates in accordance with California state licensing requirements for early childhood education and infant care.
The classroom is intentionally designed with peaceful routines, gentle guidance, organized spaces, natural materials, and responsive caregiving to support emotional well-being.
Should a child become ill while at school, they will be isolated in the office and we will immediately notify their parents. Children with a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and / or lethargy will be sent home.
Consistent care from staff, predictable routines, nurturing interactions, and responsive care help infants build trust, emotional security, and confidence.
Yes. Montessori educators receive specialized Montessori training focused on child development, observation, respectful caregiving, and Montessori philosophy.
Student safety and emotional well-being are our highest priorities. We maintain a secure, gated campus equipped with perimeter security fencing, camera monitors, and on-site security personnel, with regular emergency drills for fire, earthquake, and lockdown scenarios.
Materials and surfaces are cleaned and sanitized regularly using health and safety procedures appropriate for infant environments.
We work closely with families to understand allergies, sensitivities, and dietary needs while following safety protocols and individualized care plans.
Campus safety is our highest priority. We maintain a secure, gated environment featuring camera screening, mandatory driver identification decals, and dedicated security personnel who actively monitor all incoming traffic.
The Nido is a “Safe Nest” featuring developmentally appropriate furniture and an open-plan layout. We avoid equipment that restricts movement, allowing infants to gain control over their bodies in a secure, supervised space.
We use apps to provide parents with detailed daily reports. You will receive updates on nutrition, diapering, rest, and “Daily Moments” documenting your child’s social interactions, work and milestones.
Kindergarten readiness includes a combination of academic, social, emotional, and practical skills. Children benefit from developing independence, communication skills, early literacy and numeracy concepts, self-regulation, and positive social interactions.
The absorbent mind is a Montessori concept describing a young child’s remarkable ability to effortlessly absorb information, language, culture, and experiences from their environment during the early years of life.
Independence is one of the core goals of Montessori education. Children are encouraged to make choices, solve problems, care for themselves, and take responsibility for their learning and environment.
Mixed-age learning is a hallmark of Montessori education where children of different ages learn together in the same classroom community. Younger children benefit from observing older peers, while older children reinforce their knowledge by mentoring younger classmates.
Many parents choose Montessori schools because they value an educational approach that nurtures independence, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Dr. Montessori’s philosophy is consistent with ‘Positive’ or ‘Conscious’ Discipline Practices. We do not believe in rewards and punishments or “time-outs.” We offer children clear expectations and consistent natural consequences to their actions.
Montessori classrooms emphasize respect, consistency, responsiveness, and emotional security. The La Jolla Montessori School Guides and staff help infants build trust, confidence, self-awareness, and healthy attachments through calm and nurturing interactions.
Private schools often have the flexibility to tailor educational experiences to individual students’ strengths, interests, and developmental needs.
Infants learn socialization naturally through observation, respectful interactions, shared experiences, and guided peer relationships in a calm environment.
Consistent care from staff, predictable routines, nurturing interactions, and responsive care help infants build trust, emotional security, and confidence.
Teachers partner closely with families to create individualized transition plans and provide additional comfort and support as needed.
Teachers carefully observe and document each child’s growth, development, and emerging skills while maintaining ongoing communication with families.
The environment encourages crawling, reaching, standing, walking, coordination, balance, and movement through safe exploration and purposeful activities.
Yes. Parent conferences provide opportunities to discuss development, milestones, classroom experiences, and goals together.
We believe parent partnerships are essential. Ongoing communication, conferences, collaboration, and shared developmental goals help support each child’s success.
Teachers work closely with parents to understand routines, developmental goals, feeding schedules, sleep habits, and care preferences to create continuity between home and school.
Parents can support Montessori at home by encouraging independence, maintaining consistent routines, providing child-sized opportunities, and creating calm, orderly spaces for exploration. We also provide resources, including our Parent Education series.
Teachers work closely with parents to understand routines, developmental goals, feeding schedules, sleep habits, and care preferences to create continuity between home and school.
Parents can support Montessori at home by encouraging independence, maintaining consistent routines, providing child-sized opportunities, and creating calm, orderly spaces for exploration. We also provide resources, including our Parent Education series.
La Jolla is an incredible and safe place to raise your family. Families choose private schools for many reasons, including smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, strong educational programs, and supportive learning communities.
Kindergarten readiness includes a combination of academic, social, emotional, and practical skills. Children benefit from developing independence, communication skills, early literacy and numeracy concepts, self-regulation, and positive social interactions.
Teachers partner closely with families to create individualized transition plans and provide additional comfort and support as needed.
The environment encourages crawling, reaching, standing, walking, coordination, balance, and movement through safe exploration and purposeful activities.
Yes. Authentic Montessori “toys” are purposefully designed learning materials made from natural elements. They feature a single learning concept, allow self-correction, and foster independence, concentration, fine motor skills, and problem-solving.
We offer two options to accommodate different family needs. Please visit our Nido Program page to review our program options and hours.
La Jolla Montessori School welcomes infants from 6 months to 24 months old. Our environment is designed to accommodate various developmental stages, including non-mobile infants, crawlers, and those learning to walk.
Families often choose Montessori early because it supports foundational brain development, independence, emotional security, language growth, and healthy social-emotional development during the most important years of early childhood.
The prepared environment is intentionally designed to be safe, calm, organized, and developmentally appropriate. Low shelves, natural materials, movement areas, and carefully selected activities encourage infants to independently explore and learn through hands-on experiences.
Montessori supports infant development by recognizing that babies learn best through movement, observation, hands-on exploration, and meaningful relationships. In the Infant Nido program, caregivers carefully observe each child’s developmental needs and provide a prepared environment that encourages independence, language development, motor skills, concentration, emotional security, and confidence.
Infants develop social skills through respectful interactions, observation, guided peer experiences, shared routines, and positive relationships with caregivers and classmates.
Teachers encourage independence by allowing infants opportunities to move freely, participate in routines, make choices, feed themselves when ready, and explore their environment safely and confidently.
We use a natural immersion model with two dedicated teachers in the classroom: one who speaks exclusively in English and another who speaks exclusively in Spanish. By hearing both languages through daily interactions, stories, and songs, infants begin to absorb the phonetic structures of both languages effortlessly.
Infants are introduced to simple, natural, sensory-rich Montessori materials that encourage grasping, movement, coordination, visual tracking, language development, and independent exploration.
Montessori helps infants build concentration, coordination, confidence, communication, independence, and social-emotional skills that support a successful transition into toddler environments.
Yes. Individualized care and responsive relationships are central to the Montessori infant experience.
Teachers model respectful communication, kindness, patience, and gentle behavior while guiding children through positive social interactions.
Yes. In addition to our indoor sensory and art areas, we include weekly nature walks in strollers through our beautiful La Jolla property, located near UC San Diego area, to stimulate the infants’ curiosity about the natural world.
Families typically provide diapers, wipes, bottles, breast milk or formula, extra clothing, sleep items if permitted, and any additional requested supplies.
The Nido is a “Safe Nest” featuring developmentally appropriate furniture and an open-plan layout. We avoid equipment that restricts movement, allowing infants to gain control over their bodies in a secure, supervised space.
“Nido” is the Italian word for “nest.” Our La Jolla Montessori School’s Nido program provides a serene, home-like environment prepared for infants to safely explore, grow, and begin their journey toward independence.
Each day includes individualized routines based on your child’s needs, including feeding, naps, diapering, floor movement, sensory exploration, language exposure, music, outdoor time, and one-on-one interaction with caregivers. The classroom is intentionally calm and predictable to help infants feel secure and supported throughout the day.
Yes. We encourage families to apply as early as possible to add their child to our waitlist, as infant program availability can be limited. Many families begin the enrollment process several months in advance.
We understand that leaving your infant is a significant milestone for parents. Our Nido program maintains a 4:1 child-to-teacher ratio, with a maximum of 10 children, ensuring your child receives the individualized attention they deserve.
Families should look for a calm and nurturing infant environment, trained caregivers, low teacher-to-child ratios, individualized care, safe and clean classrooms, respectful interactions, strong communication that supports infant development.
Children who are developmentally ready may transition into the toddler environment based on classroom availability and readiness milestones. We work closely with families to ensure a smooth and supportive transition process.
Infants are ready when families are seeking a nurturing, developmentally appropriate environment that supports individualized care, movement, exploration, and early independence. Montessori environments are designed to meet children where they are developmentally, even as young as 6 months old.
We encourage families to apply as early as possible, as infant program availability can be limited. Many families begin the enrollment process several months in advance.
Our infant Montessori Guides and staff are experienced early childhood educators who receive ongoing professional development and training in child development, Montessori philosophy, health and safety practices, and infant care.
Consistent routines help infants feel secure, confident, and emotionally safe. Predictable schedules support healthy sleep habits, emotional regulation, trust-building, and smoother transitions throughout the day.
Yes. Freedom of movement is an important part of Montessori infant development. Babies are provided safe opportunities for floor movement, stretching, crawling, rolling, and exploration throughout the day.
Sensory activities may include music, textures, visual tracking, language exposure, movement activities, tactile exploration, nature experiences, and hands-on materials designed for infant development.
The three goals of the Nido curriculum are 1) to help the infant feel safe and secure while at school, 2) to support the infant in actively exploring their environment, and 3) to develop the infants gross and fine motor coordination. The teachers are the most important material the infants use in the classroom.
Tummy time is incorporated naturally throughout the day using safe, supervised floor spaces that encourage strength-building, movement, coordination, and motor development.
Absolutely! Our Montessori Guides and staff respond promptly and compassionately to infants’ emotional and physical needs to help them feel secure, comforted, and supported.
Yes. We work closely with families to follow each infant’s individualized feeding, sleeping, and care routines whenever possible.
Infants nap according to a schedule in a calm and supervised sleep environment that follows safe sleep practices.
Separation anxiety is a normal developmental stage. Teachers provide reassurance, consistency, comfort, and individualized support to help children gradually feel secure and connected at school.
We maintain ongoing communication with families regarding feeding, naps, diapering, activities, and daily experiences so parents feel informed and connected throughout the day. This communication is through the Procare app.
A typical day in the La Jolla Montessori School Infant Nido classroom is designed to provide consistency, comfort, and individualized care while supporting each child’s natural development.
Our Montessori Guides and staff provide attentive, responsive care while building trusting relationships with each child. Teachers carefully observe infants’ needs, follow individualized routines, encourage movement and exploration.
We support gradual transitions by building trust, maintaining communication with parents, and creating consistent routines. Teachers provide comfort, reassurance, and individualized attention.
Yes! Montessori infant environments are specifically designed to support babies during the earliest stages of development by encouraging movement, language development, sensory exploration, emotional security, and independence.
Children often develop mobility, communication skills, self-feeding abilities, social awareness, concentration, and increased independence before transitioning into the toddler program.
Yes. We support families that wish to use a cloth diaper system. Please contact the school directly regarding current diapering policies and accommodations.
We follow regular cleaning and sanitation procedures throughout the day for classrooms, toys, feeding areas, diapering stations, and shared materials to maintain a healthy environment.
Diapers are checked frequently and changed promptly as needed to ensure children remain comfortable, clean, and cared for throughout the day.
All bottles should be labeled with your child’s information. Bottles are stored, handled, and prepared according to health and safety guidelines to ensure proper sanitation and safe feeding practices.
Yes. Staff members are trained in infant CPR, first aid, and emergency response procedures.
Yes. Families may provide breast milk, formula, bottles, and feeding supplies for their child.
Feeding schedules are individualized and coordinated closely with families to support each infant’s nutritional needs and established routines.
In the Montessori tradition, we emphasize “Practical Life.” When infants transition to solid foods, they sit at child-sized tables and are encouraged to use real forks, spoons, and small glasses to foster coordination and self-feeding skills.
We support developmentally appropriate feeding practices and work collaboratively with families as infants begin transitioning to solid foods.
We use apps to provide parents with detailed daily reports. You will receive updates on nutrition, diapering, rest, and “Daily Moments” documenting your child’s social interactions, work and milestones.
Yes. The program operates in accordance with California state licensing requirements for early childhood education and infant care.
The classroom is intentionally designed with peaceful routines, gentle guidance, organized spaces, natural materials, and responsive caregiving to support emotional well-being.
Please Click on the Book A Tour button on our website to tour La Jolla Montessori School. We encourage interested families to tour our school to see the Nido environment in person and meet our educators prior to enrollment.
Unlike traditional daycare, which may focus primarily on infant play and supervision, La Jolla Montessori School’s Nido program is a “prepared environment” for infants, designed to respect the infant’s “absorbent mind.”
Infants begin developing practical life skills such as self-feeding, hand washing participation, putting away materials, movement coordination, communication, and early self-care routines.
Safe sleep practices are followed in accordance with state licensing guidelines and infant safety recommendations.
When touring a preschool, consider the classroom environment, teacher-child interactions, safety practices, curriculum, communication with families, and opportunities for independence and hands-on learning.
Yes. Parent conferences provide opportunities to discuss development, milestones, classroom experiences, and goals together.
Consistent care from staff, predictable routines, nurturing interactions, and responsive care help infants build trust, emotional security, and confidence.
Teachers partner closely with families to create individualized transition plans and provide additional comfort and support as needed.
Teachers carefully observe and document each child’s growth, development, and emerging skills while maintaining ongoing communication with families.
The environment encourages crawling, reaching, standing, walking, coordination, balance, and movement through safe exploration and purposeful activities.
The Nido is a “Safe Nest” featuring developmentally appropriate furniture and an open-plan layout. We avoid equipment that restricts movement, allowing infants to gain control over their bodies in a secure, supervised space.
We offer two options to accommodate different family needs. Please visit our Nido Program page to review our program options and hours.
La Jolla Montessori School welcomes infants from 6 months to 24 months old. Our environment is designed to accommodate various developmental stages, including non-mobile infants, crawlers, and those learning to walk.
We use apps to provide parents with detailed daily reports. You will receive updates on nutrition, diapering, rest, and “Daily Moments” documenting your child’s social interactions, work and milestones.
Safe sleep practices are followed in accordance with state licensing guidelines and infant safety recommendations.
When touring a preschool, consider the classroom environment, teacher-child interactions, safety practices, curriculum, communication with families, and opportunities for independence and hands-on learning.
Yes. Parent conferences provide opportunities to discuss development, milestones, classroom experiences, and goals together.
Teachers carefully observe and document each child’s growth, development, and emerging skills while maintaining ongoing communication with families.
The environment encourages crawling, reaching, standing, walking, coordination, balance, and movement through safe exploration and purposeful activities.
Accreditation varies by school so it’s very important to ask individual schools about their accreditation status, licensing, and professional affiliations when researching the best Montessori school in La Jolla. When evaluating a Montessori kindergarten, it is also helpful to inquire about teacher credentials, Montessori training, classroom practices, and the school’s commitment to authentic Montessori principles. At La Jolla Montessori School, you can review our Staff’s educational background by visiting our staff page and ask our Director any questions related to accreditation while touring our school.
We offer two options to accommodate different family needs. Please visit our Nido Program page to review our program options and hours.
La Jolla Montessori School welcomes infants from 6 months to 24 months old. Our environment is designed to accommodate various developmental stages, including non-mobile infants, crawlers, and those learning to walk.
We use apps to provide parents with detailed daily reports. You will receive updates on nutrition, diapering, rest, and “Daily Moments” documenting your child’s social interactions, work and milestones.
When touring a preschool, consider the classroom environment, teacher-child interactions, safety practices, curriculum, communication with families, and opportunities for independence and hands-on learning.
Yes. Parent conferences provide opportunities to discuss development, milestones, classroom experiences, and goals together.
Private preschool education often provides smaller class sizes, individualized attention, specialized educational approaches, and strong partnerships between families and educators.
Kindergarten readiness includes a combination of academic, social, emotional, and practical skills. Children benefit from developing independence, communication skills, early literacy and numeracy concepts, self-regulation, and positive social interactions.
Teachers carefully observe and document each child’s growth, development, and emerging skills while maintaining ongoing communication with families.
La Jolla Montessori School offers both half-day and full-day options tailored to each age group. For our youngest students in the Nido Infant program, the half-day schedule runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while the full-day program extends to 3:00 p.m. In the Toddler program, the half-day option is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and the full-day option runs until 3:00 p.m. Finally, our Primary and Kindergarten program features a slightly earlier start, with a half-day schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a full-day schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Yes, we offer extended care before and after school for our Toddler though Kindergarten programs throough our Extended Day Program (EDP) for a fee and based on availability. Please contact the office for more information. Our before school extended care hours are from 7:30 am – 8:30 am and our after School extended care hours are from 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm. Please Note: After School Care is not Available for our Nido Program.
Yes. We offer a summer program for currently enrolled families. Some families prefer to travel all or part of the 10-week summer break. For this reason, tuition for the summer program is charged at the same rate but is not included in the contract for the 10-month academic year. Our summer program is an extension of our school year. Our program includes some Montessori-related activities, but it has more of a camp-like atmosphere – involving more crafts and water activities. Family and siblings of children who are reenrolling the following academic year are guaranteed a spot. Newly enrolling families and families not returning the following year are offered placement based on availability and will be added to our waitlist.
Yes, we offer a sibling-discount. If you have more than one child enrolled in our school, each additional child will receive a 5% discount off tuition. We also offer a 5% discount to families who pay for the whole 10-month academic year in advance. We also partner with Child Development Associates which provides subsidies to help families cover the cost of childcare. The first step in the financial aid process would be to go to their website https://cdasd.org/families/childcare/ and complete an application to see if you qualify. Once you are approved by Child Development Associates, contact us to inquire about enrollment. We are also a part of the Military Care in Your Neighborhood Network (MCCYN) which offers fee assistance for active military families to choose private care in their neighborhood. https://public.militarychildcare.csd.disa.mil/mcc-central/mcchome/mccyn. Please note that this information may change. Contact us for more up-to-date information.