Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything families need to know before enrolling at Nadia's Montessori Childcare.
Don't see your question? Contact us — we're happy to help.
Enrollment & Tuition
The enrollment process begins with a tour of our facility. After your visit, we'll provide you with an enrollment packet. Once completed paperwork and enrollment fees are submitted and a spot is confirmed, you'll receive a welcome packet with everything you need for your child's first day. Contact us to get started.
We do maintain a waitlist when programs reach capacity — particularly for Infant Room and Toddler Program spots. We strongly recommend contacting us early to reserve your child's place. Families on the waitlist are contacted as soon as an opening becomes available, in the order they registered.
Yes! We believe that access to quality Montessori education should not depend on a family's income. We currently accept:
- CalWORKS (Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 subsidized childcare)
- Subsidized care for foster children
- Many DPSS (Department of Public Social Services) programs
Please contact us directly or visit our Financial Aid page to learn which programs you may currently qualify for.
Standard enrollment documents include:
- Completed enrollment application and registration form
- Child's up-to-date immunization records (per California state requirements)
- Emergency contact and authorized pick-up list
- Physician's report and health assessment
- Subsidy authorization paperwork (if applicable)
We will provide you with the full packet when you schedule a tour.
Our school year generally follows the local public school calendar, beginning in late summer/early fall. However, because we are a year-round childcare center, we accept enrollment throughout the year as spots become available. Check our School Calendar for key dates, and contact us to ask about current availability.
We accept various payment methods including check, money order, and electronic payment options. Tuition is typically due at the beginning of each care period. For families receiving subsidized care through CalWORKS or DPSS, payments are processed directly through the subsidy program. Please contact us for current tuition rates and billing details.
Daily Life & Policies
We ask families to send their child with:
- A labeled water bottle
- A packed lunch and snacks (we are a nut-aware facility)
- A complete change of clothes
- Diapers and wipes if your toddler is not yet potty-trained
- Comfortable, easy-to-move-in clothing appropriate for active learning
- Closed-toe shoes for outdoor play
Upon enrollment you will receive a full welcome packet with detailed supply and drop-off instructions.
We do not require a formal uniform. We ask that children wear comfortable, practical clothing that allows free movement and is appropriate for active, hands-on learning. Clothes may get messy with art projects, sensorial materials, and outdoor play — please send your child in something you're okay getting a little dirty! Closed-toe shoes are required for safety.
We do not provide a catered lunch program at this time. Families are asked to send a nutritious, packed lunch and morning snack with their child each day. We encourage lunches that are easy for young children to open and manage independently — in the true Montessori spirit! Please avoid sending lunches that require heating. We are a nut-aware facility; please check with us before sending items containing tree nuts or peanuts.
Children do not need to be potty trained to enroll in our Infant or Toddler rooms — we handle diapering with care and respect for your child's natural development. For our Pre-K and older programs, we ask that children be potty independent or actively working on it at home. We will always support and encourage the process, and we work closely with families to make the transition as smooth as possible.
To protect all children and staff, we ask that you keep your child home if they are showing signs of illness, including: fever (100°F or higher), vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, or any contagious condition. Children must be fever-free without the aid of medication for at least 24 hours before returning. If your child becomes ill during the school day, we will contact you immediately. We follow all California CDSS guidelines for illness exclusion.
Our school day ends at 6:30 p.m. sharp. Out of respect for our teachers' time and in accordance with state licensing, a late pickup fee applies for pickups after 6:30 p.m. Please contact us if you know you'll be running late so we can ensure your child is supervised by a teacher who is aware and available. Repeated late pickups may affect your child's enrollment status.
Absolutely! We love celebrating our students and the seasons together. Birthdays are celebrated in a special Montessori way — children walk around a globe representing years of life, honoring their growth. Throughout the year we celebrate holidays including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, and more with age-appropriate activities, crafts, and events. Check our Gallery to see past celebrations!
Yes! Field trips are an important part of the Montessori Cultural curriculum. We plan age-appropriate outings throughout the year — visits to local parks, farms, museums, and community sites that tie into what children are learning in the classroom. Parents are notified in advance and required to sign a permission slip. We always maintain safe supervision ratios on all outings.
Curriculum & Education
The Montessori Method is a child-centered educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. It is built on three core principles:
- Independence — children are empowered to choose their own work and manage their time.
- Freedom within limits — a structured but flexible environment gives children agency without chaos.
- Respect for natural development — activities are matched to each child's developmental stage, not a fixed schedule.
The result is children who are self-motivated, collaborative, and genuinely excited about learning. Learn more on our About page.
Mixed-age groupings are a hallmark of the Montessori approach. In a multi-age classroom, younger children learn by observing and aspiring to the work of older children, while older children reinforce and deepen their own understanding by mentoring younger ones. This mirrors the natural social environments children grow up in — and research consistently shows it fosters empathy, leadership, and academic confidence that same-age groupings cannot replicate.
The Montessori curriculum covers five interconnected areas:
- Practical Life — pouring, buttoning, sweeping, and other real tasks that build concentration and fine motor skills.
- Sensorial — materials that refine the five senses and build a foundation for math and reading.
- Language Arts — phonemic awareness, sandpaper letters, moveable alphabets — reading and writing emerge naturally.
- Mathematics — golden beads, number rods, and bead chains make abstract quantities tangible.
- Cultural Studies — geography, science, art, and music widen children's understanding of the world.
Yes! Daily outdoor play is a non-negotiable part of our schedule. Physical movement and fresh air are essential for healthy development. Children have structured and free-play outdoor time every day (weather permitting). Our outdoor space includes age-appropriate equipment and open areas where children can run, explore, and develop gross motor skills. In the Montessori philosophy, the outdoor environment is considered an extension of the prepared classroom.
Research shows the Montessori approach is highly adaptable and benefits children across a wide range of learning styles, temperaments, and abilities. Because activities are self-paced and self-chosen, children naturally gravitate toward the materials that meet their current developmental needs. Children who thrive in traditional classroom settings do exceptionally well in Montessori — and children who struggle in traditional settings often blossom here. Come visit us to see the environment for yourself!
Absolutely. Children who complete our program typically enter elementary school with strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics — developed through hands-on, self-paced Montessori learning. More importantly, they enter as self-directed, respectful learners who know how to focus, collaborate, and ask good questions. Those habits of mind give them a lifelong advantage. We invite you to read more on our Alumni page.
Our After School Elementary Program serves K–5th grade students after school hours. The afternoon includes a structured homework time where teachers provide guidance and support, followed by enrichment activities — art, reading, science projects, and outdoor play. The goal is to bridge the gap between the school day and home in a nurturing, stimulating environment where children feel safe, supported, and engaged.
