Montessori in Motion is truly a gem. From the moment we walked in, I could feel the calm, nurturing…read moreenergy of the school, and it has been nothing short of magical for my daughter. The teachers -- Crystal, Josh, Tracy, Alyiah, and Ashley -- are amazing. My daughter transitioned mid-year, and the way they welcomed her made her feel comfortable and excited to be there. The classrooms are filled with a diverse set of activities and materials to explore, and they have the best play yard I have ever seen. As a mom, the biggest gift was peace of mind. I could leave each morning knowing my daughter was not only cared for, but genuinely thriving. She has grown in confidence and independence, and came home excited to share her day and look forward to the next morning. The contrast from other schools we've experienced was night and day. At MIM, I felt supported as a parent, informed, and confident knowing my daughter's overall well-being was prioritized. It is a wonderful community. Montessori in Motion isn't just a preschool -- it's a magical place where children flourish.

My daughter started at MIM once she turned 2 and she's loving it. So much so, she never wants to…read morecome back home when it's time for pick up. All the teachers are warm and attentive to the children. The space is cozy and inviting. And the playground is a small paradise for the little ones. She is learning a lot, from new words and sentences to putting on her socks and jacket by herself. We've seen a lot of progress in a few months! All good things. The older kids keep an eye on the younger ones and they are very sweet to each other. All in all, I highly recommend the school.

My daughter received a puncture wound and nasty permanent scar in the center of her forehead from…read morethe faulty playground equipment there. Director Jennifer Easterman showed zero empathy and when I went to visit the site found one of the teachers taking a nap outside!! We removed our daughter from this school and found a positive peaceful protected space at Acqua Montessori in Terra Linda.

Our son has been absolutely thriving in this school. The teachers are caring and thoughtful, the…read moreadministrators are responsive and on top of things. Overall I couldn't imagine a better place for our son to learn and grow.

I'm a Montessori alumnus and proud of it!…read more I attended pre-school, kindergarden and elementary school here in the '90s for 9 years and it changed my life. I made friends here whom I still keep in contact with in addition to keeping in contact with a few of my teachers. The school is in a beautiful location, and I have so many fond memories here. I know that if I have children in Marin (a few years until that happens), I will without hesitation send them to this Montessori school. I learned many life skills here that my others friends attending public school never experienced, nor do they understand the bonds I created having the opportunity to be in a classroom with students of all ages. You can find my handprint in clay on the main walkway under the trellace leading up to the main side door into the playground. I also helped to create the small Japanese tea garden in the small plot of land next to the front doors. I have memories here that will last me a lifetime. I love this school!

Our two girls aged 7 & 9 are just finishing their second year at Montessori De Terra Linda. We came…read moremid-year from another Montessori school out of state and were very lucky to be able to transition into MDTL last year. The teachers and staff, classrooms, environment, and grounds are excellent as you'd expect from any montessori school. What is quite special though is the community involvement and great parent participation. There's never a day you'd visit campus and not find families contributing their skills and interests to the well being of the community and the kids. In addition to their regular Montessori work day our kids have been able to work with professional artists, spend time tending the organic garden, and going on community outreach trips to explore Marin's incredible natural environment. We plan on keeping our kids involved with MDTL through their entire program.

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.

We absolutely love Guidepost Montessori in San Rafael and are so happy we selected this…read moreestablishment for our son when he was 9 months old. He went through their Nido (infant), Toddler, and now Children's house programs so we have experienced the full suite of care here and it has been a warm, encouraging place for his emotional growth and fostering his independence. Their program at its core, using Montessori principles, empowers kids with structure that allows them to follow their interests. He comes home and surprises us regularly with things he's learned at guidepost, from manners (pushing in chairs, putting things away, wanting to help out around the house), to songs, art, or stories of what he did during the day. The guides who run the classrooms are FANTASTIC, skilled, thoughtful, engaging staff who obviously truly care about the well being of the children. There are flex hours available that suit our family's needs and their program has a lot of components beyond the typical Montessori classroom - music, warm days there are water activities outside, soccer, dance... they also do creative activities for the holidays including art with the kids and some things that involve the parents and develop a sense of community. Can't say enough great things about the staff here - the leadership team is the best. I highly recommend! We will be bringing our newborn here once I go back to work.

Sunnyside Preschool is truly the best. My son started about six months ago, and from day one, Miss…read moreSylvie--along with the students and families--made us feel so welcome. The transition couldn't have been smoother, and now he walks (and often runs!) into school every morning excited and happy. The Sunnyside team is incredibly communicative and has done such a wonderful job nurturing his curiosity, skills, and creativity. I'm constantly amazed hearing about what he learned or experienced each day. He's now counting to 10 and has really developed a love for books and coloring, which has been so fun to watch. We also love the balance of outdoor play, classroom time, and shared meals with his classmates--it's been terrific for his development. We're already looking forward to having his younger sister join Sunnyside in the future. Sylvie does a great job keeping parents in the loop on what the kids are learning, singing, and working on as the seasons change. Our little guy absolutely loves Sunnyside--and so do we.

Without a drop of hesitation I can say that Sunnyside is a wonderful place for our daughter. In…read morethe year she's been attending, her development has advanced by leaps and bounds, she's smarter, more active, independent, and even minds her manners more! Miss Sylvie and her staff are kindness personified and there's so much to recommend about the preschool. There are tons of activities, structured and free, her yard is huge and there is so much for the kids to do outside that they're never bored. Slides, rides, sandboxes, water table, working garden they can actively cultivate and eat (she gobbles tomatoes down now). Inside is structured with tidy workstations and activities that stretch their brains and hands. Also, Sunnyside comes with perks most of the preschools we screened do not: snacks and lunches are covered and healthy, and they assist with the transition to potty training with grace and good humor. We're insanely lucky to have found this place and it's worth the longer drive to get there (we are a few towns away).

We enrolled our toddler in Miss Audrey's Montessori when she was 17 months, and we have had a…read morewonderful experience with the program! Miss Audrey is a gifted caregiver and educator; she has a beautiful understanding of toddlers, and how best to support them as their personalities and preferences start to emerge. She really celebrates and understands all children. We love that her program has different units of focus (sea life was a favorite!) and incorporates Montessori philosophies and "works" into its daily rhythm. It's a wonderful introduction to Montessori principles in practice. We are so grateful to Miss Audrey and she's unique in that she's able to balance effective communication with parents/caregivers while also providing exemplary care. We are so thankful that we found her!

We just wrapped up 2 amazing years with Miss Audrey. My daughter thrived at Miss Audrey's school…read more Audrey is so warm and loving with the children. Because of that, my daughter loved going to school and was happy to be there each day. On weekends, she would say she missed Audrey and her friends at school. It's the perfect place for little ones before they begin their journey into preschool.

If you're looking for a wonderful preschool I highly recommend San Anselmo Montessori School (SAMS)…read more- especially their PreK program! The moment I walked into the light-filled main classroom I knew this would be the right fit for our family. A tucked away but easy to get to campus with a picturesque view of the San Anselmo hills, this hidden gem is located in a very warm, safe, tranquil open space. My daughter has been enrolled at SAMS since June 2024, first attending their summer camp program and now as a PreK student. I cannot say enough good things about this school. The facilities, the students, parents, the curriculum and mostly, the patient, nurturing, incredible teachers. Once a week each student has their dedicated Garden Day group and they spend the first half of school outdoors learning about nature, tending to the various plants and trees in the back lush garden. They sample things they have lovingly helped grow, partake in creative projects, as well as other earth science learnings throughout the day. My daughter is in the oldest age group at SAMS and breaks out into the PreK group every afternoon. This small subset of students are taught in a converted greenhouse that is clean and organized yet has a homey, poetic feel to it. The students spend their days doing engaging activities, a mix of self directed work, lessons and artistic projects. This week they have been reviewing sight words, an introductory lesson in fractions, learning different parts of a fish and decorating gingerbread houses. A few noteworthy takeaways my daughter has shared with us is the idea that at school everyone is included (or no one is included - alone time) and exhibiting pride in personal responsibility and independence. My daughter has made strong connections and close friendships, she gets excited every morning to go to school - and has even asked to go in on a Saturday! This inclusive program I can confidently say will support your child to regulate emotions, help develop kind, considerate, thoughtful kids that will be beyond kindergarten ready when the time comes. This school has truly been such a gift to our family. We will be sending our youngest as soon as she is age eligible! https://samontessori.com

We have been at SAMS for four years now-our older child attended for three years and our younger…read morechild is now in his first year. We have been blown away by the program at SAMS. It's both a well-run organization (clear communication, policies, etc) and a loving community where children are seen for who they are and are given the love and support to thrive. The great parent community is just an added bonus! A few of the things that make SAMS special, in no particular order: - The physical space is inviting, clean, bright and organized. Children are invited to be the leaders in their space since everything is right-sized for them. Our kids feel so comfortable and empowered the second they walk in the door. - The outdoor space is incredible. Similar to the indoor environment, the outdoor space is perfect for kids, with child sized versions of real garden tools, a fantastic playground and a beautiful garden geared toward children's love of nature. - The communication from the school is excellent. We love the weekly newsletter, which often includes links to resources for us as parents. We grownups learn a lot from the team at SAMS, too! - The Montessori philosophy has been perfect for our kids. When we first started looking at preschools, we knew that we didn't want our kids to be in a space that felt too rigid/formal. SAMS honors the Montessori philosophy fully and always feels free and playful at the same time. - The pre-kindergarten program has been amazing for our older child and we are planning for our younger child to stay for this year, too. We have found this final year at SAMS to be a huge benefit for our kiddo in terms of confidence, grace and courtesy, social emotional growth, and academic growth. The third year of SAMS was extra magical for our child and set her up for major success as she entered elementary school. - THE TEAM is, of course, the very best part. The SAMS teachers are incredible-compassionate, patient, skillful, brilliant, and creative. They are inspirations and our children love them so much! Thank you, SAMS!

We couldn't be happier with our experience at Ice Cream & Shoe Preschool. It's such a warm,…read morethoughtful, and nurturing environment, and you can truly feel how much the teachers care about the kids as individuals. The TK classroom atmosphere is calm and welcoming, and the play-based approach strikes a great balance between social-emotional development and early learning. Our child feels safe, supported, and excited to go to school each day, which says everything. The teachers are attentive, patient, and incredibly skilled at guiding children through friendships, problem-solving, and independence. We also really appreciate the strong sense of community among families and staff. Communication is clear, and it's obvious this school has been thoughtfully run for many years!

Our son attended preschool at Ice Cream and Shoe and we truly loved the experience - the teachers…read moreare so nurturing, the methodology was loved by parents and kids, and the experience prepared him for kindergarten in a noticeable way! I highly recommend this preschool program!

We could not be more happy with our Marin Montessori Middle School experience. We transferred our…read moredaughter in mid year and have been thrilled to see her engagement and interest in learning return. The staff are incredibly lovely and caring professionals who have the deepest respect for each student. We were met with openness and warmth and the turnaround for her academics was pronounced. She looks forward to going to school and loves getting to have choice in her own learning. Marin Montessori has truly created a culture of kindness and it has made all the difference for our family!

My oldest child is completing his first year at MMS, and I couldn't have dreamt up a better…read moreexperience for the equivalent of his pre-K year. He has always had a tough time with transitions until he made the transition to MMS! The school thoughtfully welcomed him in such a way that he walked in on his first day with no hesitation, making me feel at ease sending him to school everyday. The mixed age Montessori classroom environment nurtures his curiosity, giving him the opportunity to learn from his peers and practice leadership skills. The school's administration and guides are incredibly supportive of my child, meeting him where he is while ushering him to the next level. When my son's guide checked in with me after his first two days of school, the words she used to describe him were spot on. Beyond the school's administration and guides, the parent community has been an excellent resource to me and my growing family. My family moved to the Bay from the East Coast a few years ago, and I greatly appreciate that many parents are from other states and various non-US countries with diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences that their children can share with my children. I am looking forward to my second child starting in the fall!