We paid a $135 waitlist fee and were told we'd be contacted when enrollment opened. We never received any updates or an enrollment packet, and months were wasted waiting to enroll our son in a Montessori program. Meanwhile, the school began openly enrolling students while we were left on the waitlist with no communication. The only time we heard anything was when we reached out ourselves, and even then the responses were vague and provided no real information. After multiple calls and emails requesting an explanation and a refund, we've received no response. This lack of transparency and follow-through is unacceptable. The experience left our family feeling uncomfortable with how we were treated and questioning how families are selected from the waitlist. We are still requesting a refund for a process that was never honored. Unethical and a scam business. Reported to the CA Dept of Social Services. read more

Our family has been part of Springfield since 2022, and we've had a wonderful experience. From the start, the administration has been communicative, welcoming, and intentional in creating a safe, caring environment. The teachers are exceptional. Our biggest priority is knowing our children are loved, supported, and their needs are met--and Springfield has consistently delivered that and more. Both of our boys were well prepared for public school transitions and developed a genuine love of learning. It's clear the staff are passionate about what they do, and we've truly felt like part of the Springfield family. I have a degree in Early Childhood Development and toured many local preschools before choosing Springfield. In my opinion, it is one of the top preschools in the area. Yes, the enrollment process is thorough and tuition is higher than some options, but the quality of care, education, and teacher support makes that clear. read more

My daughter has been in Springfield for the past three years and has attended two different schools prior, Springfield is by far our favorite and worth the value when comparing other daycares in Walnut Creek. We've seen such a big improvement in her speech and communication, which has been amazing to watch. She's also developed a real love for learning, especially math, and enjoys everything from Spanish to zoology. I really appreciate the mixed-age classroom too. Now that she's one of the oldest, she's gained so much confidence and has naturally stepped into a leadership role, helping teach and guide the younger kids. She was in Ms. Bahia, Marlen, and Daniella's class, and she absolutely adored them. They made such a positive impact on her. Ms. Rosanne the director has also been very accommodating with my schedule as a working mom, which I truly appreciate (other daycares like KLA are not has flexible). I only wish they offered classes beyond kindergarten. read more

My son has attended Springfield Montessori School for the past three years and we could not be happier with every aspect of what the school has to offer. His educational experience has been incredible, going at my son's pace and allowing him to develop as an individual, while also teaching him the value of being part of a larger community. All staff, teachers and administration, work tirelessly to provide the best experience not only for the students but for us parents as well. I feel as though my son is safe and cared for while at school and I would highly recommend Springfield to anyone looking for a comprehensive preschool/kindergarten experience!! read more

Unethical admissions process. Please take caution with their admissions process. They require a check to even receive the admissions paperwork and they will cash it even if you don't apply. If you do apply they will charge you thousands of dollars whether or not you are accepted into their program, and they will not provide information on how they select kids or when. After I completed a tour I emailed them several times with questions and got no reply. I request an admissions packet (which I had to give them a check to even receive.) Their application explained that it required several thousand of payment but would not specify if or when you would be notified of enrollment. It looked suspicious and I did not complete it. I never received individual responses to emails but did receive several advertisements encouraging me to apply(and pay them more money.). Several months later they cashed my check with no notice and without application. This seems like the whole admissions process seems like it's focused on making money, and taking advantage of well intentioned families. The follow up from owner Melody was blatantly dishonest. Despite the performative inclusion, they are not LGBT friendly. read more

We are so grateful to the entire Springfield Montessori team for providing our family with an incredible preschool experience. As first-time parents of a "COVID baby," we truly didn't know what to expect, but Springfield exceeded every hope we had. Toddler Program// From our daughter's very first days as a toddler, she was drawn to Ms. Katrina. She was always thrilled to join the class and sad to leave it, which speaks volumes about the strong connections she built with her teachers. The extracurricular Zumba classes have been a highlight for her and have inspired a love for music and dance that we hope will last a lifetime. Preschool// The growth we've seen in our daughter under Ms. Christine and Ms. Trupti's guidance has been remarkable. She has developed confidence, a love of learning, and resilience in the face of challenges. She often tells us, "Ms. Christine or Ms. Trupti taught me that, so now I know!"--a testament to the positive impact you've had on her. Administration// The administrative staff have supported not just our daughter, but us as parents. When our daughter struggled with the transition to the older preschool class, their patience and encouragement gave us the confidence to trust the process. Our daughter is now a stronger, more resilient little girl because of your support and intuition. Springfield Montessori is a truly special place because of the dedication, care, and expertise of its staff. We are forever grateful for the guidance and support you have given our family. Thank you, Springfield Heroes! read more

I knew this center did not implement the true Montessori method and I was ok with it but to this day my son who is in 1st grade and thriving talks about how his teacher said to him in a very "mean" tone one day that "I'm gonna count to 3 and you better find a job!" He also talks about how the other amazing assistant teacher, Ms. Shohreh saw him crying and tried to console him. Apparently this was a pattern with that teacher. Unfortunately, we joined after Covid and they wouldn't let us observe the classroom before enrolling but had I picked up on this demeaning way of treating the kids, I would've never signed him up. I'm sure they have other teachers that model more respectful interactions but I hope the center is letting parents observe so parents can get a better of idea of what the vibe is before committing. read more

I have 2 girls who are 11 months apart and I was looking into schools to enroll them into. I had heard about Springfield through friends & family and decided to check it out. We were greeted by Rosanne and she greeted us as we came in the doors and was very welcoming to not just me but my girls as well. This was going to be their first time visiting a school in general so they were a little shy and didn't know what to expect. They started out by sticking to my side but Rosanne's warmth helped put them at ease throughout our visit. She gave us a tour and answered questions I had in regards to the classes, teachers, size of classes, etc. I noticed that she not only was very helpful to me, but she also was engaging with my girls and having them feel very much a part of the tour. She asked them questions, showed them around, and explained things to them as well. I didn't feel rushed and felt like the overall experience was great for both me and my girls. By the end of the tour, the girls were excited and wanted to start going into the classrooms with the other kids! Springfield was my top choice but went with another school for location purposes. I have been recommending Springfield to other family & friends who are looking for a school for their kids and live within the area! Thank you Rosanne for the time & patience. It helped get my girls excited for school in general! read more

Our family relocated from Hawaii to Walnut Creek last summer and we found Springfield Montessori while planning our move to CA. Rosanne was a tremendous help with the application process and enrollment for our son while we were still in Hawaii. Our son had a great experience and made good friends during his year at Springfield. The teachers, office and after school staff were very nice and caring. We enjoyed the class events where parents were able to attend, especially the cultural fair where the children celebrated and learned about other cultures. Mahalo Springfield Montessori for providing our son with a great learning experience and helping him to comfortably adapt to a new environment! read more

Our two girls attended Springfield through Kindergarten and we couldn't have asked for a better experience for either of them. Their teachers were caring, nurturing educators who tuned into each child to bring forth the best in them. The administration team is highly organized and effective as you'd expect from a school like this, but also warm, personable, and accessible. We felt deeply cared for by them, and enjoyed all the ways we could be involved in the school community. We even met some of our best friends there, which we realize isn't uncommon - the Springfield network is quite special. And we can't even count the number of parents who've expressed wishing that Springfield extended beyond Kindergarten! We're definitely in that camp, and feel so grateful for the years our girls have had being so well educated and so well cared for there. read more

We had the most wonderful experience with Springfield. Every teacher and staff member has been caring through and through. Our little boy had trouble getting adjusted to pre-school life after covid and they were patient and loving and made him LOVE going to school everyday. He really developed a strong bond with Ms. Melissa and Ms. Shorheh. Our little girl loved her time with Ms. Katrina and Ms. Melissa and Ms. Natalie. We cannot say enough good things about the school and I highly recommend them! read more

Springfield is wonderful and absolutely brings another level of education and care for the students. Springfield has prepared our son well for grade school. Rosanne and staff were incredible in transitioning our son at 2 years old. In addition, the schools Montessori style of teaching taught our son very good critical skills that enhanced his learning of an array of concepts. read more

As with a lot of Montessori schools it will work best depending on how your child learns, not all kids will be a good fit but the Montessori system will really support those who are! read more

The best choice we made for a preschool! The teachers and admins are so amazing and attentive. They treated the kids like their own and helped them truly flourish and get them ready as much as possible for their next adventure in grade school. Ms. Melissa and Ms. Natalie are just one of a kind. They put in so much effort and time to make sure each child has an equal chance to thrive and at their own pace. We highly recommend Springfield! read more

Both our girls went to Springfield - 8 years apart!! - and it was such an important experience for each of them. In both cases: A key tenet of the Montessori method is child-driven work time and Springfield does this well and consistently for every age group in every classroom. Also, the international cultural faire is an amazing opportunity to expose your children more deeply to cultures beyond their own in a way that they learn to appreciate and celebrate others - and with a lasting impact - much more deeply than in some other settings. Aftercare is consistent and easy for parents and the kids are entertained. And most importantly, I truly felt my kids were loved by most of the teachers and staff they interacted with each day. It's a very structured environment (by design) so you do need to know whether that is right for your kid or not, but you'd be surprised by how many different types of kids do well with it. Most recently: We could not have asked for a better toddler class coming out of Covid - they were setup for success learning to interact with peers in an age-appropriate and yet still organized environment. We are still in touch with those teachers 2 years later. The academics in Pre-K give kids such a headstart for elementary school and the extracurricular activities - esp Zumba - are convenient and fun. And I don't think there is a better office team at any preschool anywhere - they are so warm and patient, they know EVERY kid in every class, every age group - they work so hard to make things easier for parents especially at dropoff and other transitions - even when you have the "emotional kid" or the "spirited kid" and without making you or your kid feel bad about it. Also, one of the few places where you can still get 7am-6pm care! read more

Overall really disappointed in our daughter's experience here. First of all, I do think the teachers have been good, but the overall development hasn't been mind blowing and I don't see any true Montessori integration in learning, rarely other age groups interacting with each other from what I can tell. Other than that, our kids are still required to wear masks both indoor and outdoor while the rest of the world is now unmasked. It's now March 21st 2022. We were never anti mask but feel it's been scary for our child's development being masked so much in their early years, we were extremely patient and shared our input with administration. They seem to care more about their own fear rather than child development - when everyone including local public schools are no longer wearing masks, they keep them on our children. Understandably it's been a challenging past two years for everyone and I sympathize with trying to run a business in this environment - but true leaders rise to the occasion to care for our children and put them first. Unfortunate because we heard great things about this school and we have no plans on coming back when we are done, and won't be bringing our other child back either. read more

this is a great implementation on the Montessori Education method and system! i carry so much of what i learned from this school with me today, even though it was a preschool and kindergarten. the teachers were kind and so caring. you know its a good school when you remember the teachers that taught you back in the day. send your kid(s) here for sure. read more

Our son has been going here for over a year and he loves it. All the teachers and caretakers are great.

We love this school. We relocated from San Diego a few years ago and tried a few places in EastBay (Walnut Creek) for our little girl. When we found Springfield and toured the facility, we were sold. It is clean, organized and actually looks like a mini junior college. The people are friendly and many of the teachers have been there a long time. The have great hours if you need it for the full day (7 am to 6 pm). The most important thing for us was the love the teachers have for teaching. We love Jaime and Anne, who teach one of the toddler classes. They are Amazingly patient and loving. Our toddler loves going to school where she has made friends and has the chance to engage, learn new things, learn about caring and responsibility and has fun doing it. They do fun activity to stimulate and teach the kids. If you are looking for a school in Walnut Creek, check out Springfield Montessori. read more

I went here when I was in preschool obviously, I loved it so much! I honestly miss it. I made so many friends that I am still friends with now there. Great school and I miss it a ton! read more

This is, without a doubt, the best school / daycare in the area for young kids. We were afraid that Montessori was going to be too strict or rigid -- not the case at all. The kids play and socialize for most of the day. Any study time is done with purpose and to build life skills. Springfield lets kids grow at their own pace, which often results in reading AND writing basic sentences before they are 5. Seriously. After several years there, we have ZERO complaints. And all of the other families we have met feel the same. This is a well run school with a long history of doing everything right. PS -- I have heard a few mumbles from random people about extra charges. Frankly, they are idiots. If you make a habit of leaving your kid there before or after the agreed upon time, you should consider purchasing a different or larger coverage plan. read more

We recently enrolled our son. Like all other preschools we considered, this one has it's administrative issues. As others have pointed out, communication about policy and requirements is lacking. But they are friendly about it and it all worked out fine. The school itself is really top notch. The grounds are immaculate and if not new, it sure looks brand new *well cared for!*. The teachers we met all have many years of experience, not the typical 'teachers aid' type you may find in other schools. These teachers are really credentialed in Montessori and it shows! We are thrilled with the choice we made and our son is already showing signs of thriving within the environment. read more

We could not wait to get out of this school. Our experience was horrible. Under average teachers, poor communication and a stressful place for both my son and I. For the whole year that my son attended I could not drop him off once without him clinging on me and saying mommy I don't wan to go they are angry. After a while I figured from another mom that my son was treated horrible. From there I took it to licencing. Make sure you call the Licencing office in Oakland and request a report for all violations that this school had before you sign up your kid. I am so glad we are out of there. read more

This is my third year sending my daughter to this school. It is a financial burden, but the cost is very comparable to other preschool as well as any Montessori school. How do you put value on children schooling? However, what I see how my daughter progress through the years, I feel I don't have a choice. I spoke to other parents too, they see how Springfield school advance our kids intellect as well as being a responsible kids. I have seen many Montessori's school are using a house and convert into a preschool. This school invest in the future of our kids by building a nice, large, facility so kids can have a comfortable place to learn. So to the person who wrote 0 or 1 star, I already requested your negative review to be removed. I don't care about your story as there are always 2 or 3 side of the story. My two years and going 3rd year has been EXTREMELY POSITIVE. I know Yelp likes to keep negative review but that's how they make money. However, in this case and the future of our younger generation, Yelp needs to investigate the matter further or talk to other yelpers who post positive reviews. read more

I'm surprised that there aren't more reviews for this school. Besides the nice facilities, I credit Ms. Shohreh's 2-year-old toddler class for the development of my child. Within the first two months, they not only weaned our toddler off the pacifier, but by the end of the year, our child was on a regular nap and eating schedule and potty trained. After just a few months, our toddler spoke and sang 500% more, and we got rid of most of the separation anxiety after two months. The advances might be due to natural development and parental guidance, but it helps to have a preschool that helps with those goals, sticks to a consistent schedule, and provides stimulating activities for the children. Our child is now in the 3-4 year old Pre-K class and continuing to develop. I compared this school to other Montessori and KinderCare schools in the area -- from Lafayette to San Ramon, and I'm pleased with the program, facilities, philosophy, child-teacher ratio, and teachers of Springfield Montessori. The administrative staff aren't overly friendly, but not everyone needs to be, and I haven't had any problems with them. They've tried to be accommodating where possible, so I have no complaints. read more

Our oldest son went there and now our middle child is attending. Great school - teachers are kind and warm. Very international - there are familes from everywhere. Our oldest began elemenarty school socially and academically prepared. It is a safe, happy, really nice community. read more

We are very happy with Springfield Montessori. They accept children as young as 2yrs old and do not require that they be potty trained. They even help with the process when the time is right! Our daughter started in Ms. Katrina / Ms. Shohreh's toddler class and adored her teachers. We have found the teachers at this school to be very attentive and we have found the communication to be wonderful. The Shutterfly shared site allows the teachers to share pictures of the daily activities with the parents and administration to share important information. Having the app on my phone made it so easy to stay on top of the school calendar and activities. Our daughter is having a difficult time adjusting to her new class since she has moved on to Pre-K (because she had gotten so attached to her teachers and friends). When I called the main office, Irene knew exactly who I was and checked on my daughter for me. She assured me that if she continues to have a hard time, we can consider moving her to another class with some of her friends from the toddler class. Overall, I am very pleased with how quickly the administration has responded to concerns. Our son will also attend this school as soon as he is old enough. read more

We love Springfield so much that, although we just bought a home in Oakland, we are delaying our move by over a year so our daughter can finish her preschool experience there. Between our two oldest kids, we have been at Springfield for five years. We have been in the toddler, preschool, and Kindergarten classes. All the teachers there are dedicated early childhood professionals who are committed to their craft. Communication between the school and parents is excellent, and the administration responds quickly to concerns raised. The campus is idyllic, complete with a learning garden as well as play areas that can be used if it's pouring rain or in the midst of a heat wave. On top of all that, our kids are getting a fantastic education! This has been a bonus, since what was most important to me initially was finding a safe and nurturing environment that was conveniently located. I was not seeking a Montessori school per se, and was actually a bit nervous about how academic it was when I visited. But my kids were so happy there, doing their "work" and "jobs" mixed with plenty of free play in the playground, that my reservations about that melted away. We are so happy to be able to send our kids here. You will be, too. read more

The best thing about this school is the building itself. Absolutely gorgeous. My daughter is in her second year of preschool there. I loved, loved Ms. Katrina, her toddler program teacher last year. She was fantastic. All of the other teachers are below standard, and many have no social skills whatsoever, to say the least. The administrative staff, really just one person is inept. Very frustrating to deal with - and I promise, I am one of the most low-maintenance and easy going parents you'll ever meet. read more

The only thing nice here is the facility. The first impression is an expensive and elite school, but if you take a closer look, the kids are not happy. The administrator cares more about her income than the kids. My son who loves to go anywhere with anyone, dreaded coming here and it took me one month of waiting before the administrator would finally meet with us to discuss the situation. When we finally met with the administrator it became clear she was more upset and angry about the inconvenience to her than concerned about my son. I left our meeting disillusioned, and hopeless. The teachers here (with one exception) are subpar and underpaid. The system redundantly drills kids without assessing their individual skill levels. If your child is a little advanced, they won't encourage learning or advancement, they'll just drill him to death day after day with general, and redundant tasks below their academic level. After about a month, we could see my sons stress go way up and his behavior worsened. He suffered and cried daily, begging us to not make him go to school and told us the teacher mistreated him. We listed to him and moved him to Civic Arts Pre down the street. Now he loves school, he is learning to read and not even 4.5 years old yet, and every week brings home beautiful art projects. All the kids in the school just look healthier, happier and friendlier. We are so happy he is now in a safe place where he can love to learn again, and hopefully where we can reverse the damage done by Springfield. . read more

I wish I can give 0 star for the treatment we received during the open house at this preschool. We visited this preschool several times before and liked how the facility looks like inside we also liked the teacher we spoke with, she was very friendly and professional. However, I had some reservations. Before signing my child to this preschool I wanted to know the teacher who will be teaching my child, I wanted to be sure that my child will be happy and treated with respect and dignity. The contract suggests big financial commitment and you better to be very confident in all aspects before signing the documents. That's why I came several times to this preschool. Today during open house we were treated with disrespect and rudeness by the director of the faculty. Me and my son were asked to leave. She said: "because you came here so many times we barely have any place for you here!" She asked us to leave the back yard of the preschool, where we were allowed to enter by a faculty member. We left. Then when my son was quietly playing with the building blocks on the floor. She came second time and said: " I am asking you to leave for the last time!" The open house of the facility was still going. We left. I was in shock from such rude, disrespectful and unprofessional behavior from the director of kids preschool facility. I had no words to say to her. I feel that parents need to know what treatment they might encounter from this person. If the director of the facility has no patience and respect for some parents how much patience and respect can their kids get? I am glad the true inside came out before I sign in my child. Because of such experience with the director of this facility I would not recommend this place to anybody. read more

After having an awful experience with another local montessori school, we are so thrilled that we found Springfield Montessori. My son went from screaming, crying, and clinging to me for months at the other school to excited hugs and goodbye kisses at Springfield the first week there. He is currently in the toddler program and he comes home with stories about his day, singing new songs... Oh and he potty trained very quickly because of the encouragement and advice from his teachers. Everyone I've interacted with at Springfield has been incredibly helpful and kind. When I told Administration that I needed to change my son's schedule, they even filled the forms out for me. I really can't express enough how relieved I am that I found this gem. If you are looking for a safe, clean, beautiful and nurturing school for your little one, I encourage you to visit Springfield Montessori. read more

This is a truly phenomenal school and will provide a great start for your kids. My son attended Springfield for kindergarten and it was one of the best decisions we made. The kids are academically challenged, they are supported and nurtured, and the facilities are top notch. In particular, the kindergarten teacher Miss Belinda is a stand out. She said the kids would be starting on first grade work by January and she was right! As we await first grade to start, my son now reads ME a book every night before bed and regularly sits down to do pages of addition and subtraction. The school is pricey, but literally worth every penny. You will not regret sending your child here. read more

A great preschool. My son was in Ms. Christine's class for two years. I truly believe that her commitment and dedication to her students has given my son a great learning experience and strong foundation for kindergarten. She makes learning fun and challenging. The facility is safe, clean and organized. All the teachers and staff are friendly and pleasant. The best Montessori school in the area. read more

Love Springfield! Ms. Jamie and Ms. Ann are a dreamteam. My kids (2 & 4) adjusted right away with the high EQ teachers at Springfield. Many of the teachers at Springfield have been there for 20+ years, they're certified, and handle the children beautifully. I saw a positive difference in my boys after the first week, it was incredible. I can't say enough great things about them! read more

Springfield Montessori - Harvest festival - Preschools Near Me - Walnut Creek, California

Excellent School, our son has been there for three years, going on four next year in Kindergarten. Would not hesitate recommending it to any parent. All the teachers are caring and passionate about what they do. read more

We love Springfield! My daughter started in the toddler classroom and is now in Prek. The teachers know how to track individual children's strengths and needs, and to respond accordingly. My daughter has always been challenged, supported, and cared for. She has blossomed at Springfield - socially and academically - and we are so grateful to have found such a safe, well-run, professionally staffed program. I cannot recommend it highly enough! read more

I came to know about the school because it's located about 1 mile from our house. Several parents on the Berkeley Parents Network recommended this school to me. Our 4-year old son has been going there for a year and our 2-year old daughter is going to start there in a month. The facility is new, spacious and bright. My son's teachers are very experienced and very accesible. The learning environment really prepares the children to be good citizens of the world. The children learn math and English basis and also are exposed to different cultures including languages (e.g. French & Spanish), geography and arts. The children there are of multi-ethnicity background (European, middle eastern, Asian and South American) and well-traveled. They often share their cultural experiences with their peers. Although it's a Montessori school, it's on the structured side. read more

Wonderful and caring teachers in a beautiful and calm environment. Ms. Tsering is like a second mother to my son who adores her. The teachers are committed educators and not just day care providers you find at some preschools. I am amazed at the commitment of the teachers and their dedication to the students. The school is expensive, but worth it! The school is culturally diverse. The children are enriched by the diversity. It is astounding the leaps my son has made in the two years he's been there. I wish they had elementary school so he can stay. read more

We have enrolled our son in this fine school and will soon enroll our second-born. At first glance, this school appears very large. But, after a tour with the head mistress Shashi Lal, you will find that there are many separate classrooms (six in all, I think) which include certified Montessori instructors within each class. My son's classroom has three instructors with under thirty children. There exists a program that balances play outdoors, circle time, snacks/lunch and Montessori materials in half-day or full-day programs. The instructors in his class are genuine, passionate about embracing and applying the Montessori method of learning, and show great care towards the children. There are families of many, many different cultures that can share their heritage with the school at the annual cultural event. The school is very secure and safe. My son has nothing but positive things to say about his teachers and classmates. His learning continues to astound us, and we feel that it is a direct result of the way the materials are presented, and the fact that he is gently guided when necessary but encouraged to attempt things on his own. I just wish they had an elementary level program! I disagree with the previous post-I have been a part of this school for over three years and have had the chance to know the teachers well in many classrooms. These women are caring, knowledgeable and committed. I would not describe any as below standard and would feel comfortable having my sons in any of the classrooms. But our hearts belong to Ms. Amrita! read more