My kids have basically grown up at Guidepost Montessori San Rafael. Our daughter started in the…read moreNido program when she was 7 months old. Our son started in Toddler and has now moved up to Children's House. We've been here for almost two years, and I'm still a little shocked by the things my kids come home knowing.
When I was pregnant, I realized how important early childhood development is, and it was really important to me that anyone caring for my children be truly knowledgeable in that area. Many nannies and au pairs are wonderful, but they don't always facilitate learning with intention. The staff here have studied early childhood development or are currently studying it, and you can see it in the way they care for the kids.
The belief that children are capable runs through everything the guides and staff do, and it's the heart of the Montessori pedagogy. Instead of putting on a child's shoes for them, they teach the child to do it herself, with more patience than I've ever had as a parent. It's hard to do that as a mom, and I'm so thankful to have them as partners in teaching my kids these things, because they do it in such loving ways.
And we see the results at home. My 3.5-year-old insists on getting his own glass of water and gets frustrated if I try to help, because he knows he can do it. He recognizes letters and numbers, has mastered his colors, understands small to large, and has started to grasp categories and geography. His language is so robust that he sometimes talks more like a 5-year-old. My 15-month-old comes home with songs and hand gestures for nursery rhymes. She loves using her fork and spoon, and she knows that shoes go in the basket, trash goes in the trash, and laundry goes in the laundry. She feels so proud of herself when she helps pick up, and she claps when we're done.
One moment I will never forget happened when my baby's Nido classmate moved up to the toddler classroom. She spotted him through the window, and they were both so excited. Ms. Ana, the head of school, opened the door so she could say hello. My daughter walked straight over and hugged him, and he hugged her back. They touched each other's faces in the sweetest way, like they had really missed each other. It was such a beautiful moment to watch two little humans do that, and it comes from the relationship-building they learned together in the Nido classroom.
The administrative team has been just as kind to our family. During a difficult season, they created a special schedule and rate to accommodate us, and later they were incredibly gracious with financial aid, which has allowed us to stay. Ms. Ana also writes a thoughtful intro to the weekly newsletter that brings us back to Montessori principles and gives us ideas for continuing them at home. If anything happens at school, like a minor accident, they call us right away. I always feel informed and included.
We plan to stay through kindergarten, even though we could choose free TK, because we've seen what this early investment does for our kids. They're confident, independent, curious, and respectful of others, and it shows in how they focus, manage their emotions, and treat their friends and teachers. If you're nervous about leaving your child in care, especially as a first-time parent, I understand, because it's so stressful. This staff truly loves children, and they do it in partnership with you. I don't think there is anything more you could ask for.
