We have had our daughter at First Friends for two years and LOVE it! One of the main things I have loved is the consistency with teachers. Ms Maggie (owner) and Ms Araceli have been there for years, which provides stability and keeps the schedule consistent. So many of the schools in this area are like a revolving door with the teachers, which is tough on the kids since they dont really get to know them. This way Araceli has been able to talk with authority on how our daughter has progressed over time. The location is beautiful and they have a fantastic outdoor area that feels natural and structured at the same time. There are so many options for the kids to play on they never get bored. Plus chickens! Maggie hosts farmers markets from the veggies they grow and sells eggs, then uses the money for school projects. It's utterly charming! As for how it's run, I really like how structured it is. This will set your kid up for TK or kinder very nicely as the public schools are all on a firm schedule. So class time is all about jobs and activities, then the kids get to get lots of free play in the yard. They use an app to give picture notices and updates, so I feel very connected to my daughter when she's there and always in the loop about what's happening at school. We provide lunch and Maggie does healthy homemade snacks. Our tuition was way less than where we came from in Sac, so I felt it was a steal. The hours are loosely 8am-2:30pm. But my number one plus is how safe we have felt at first friends. It is hard to trust your kids to the care of someone else, and I have literally never felt one ounce of nervousness leaving my daughter in the capable hands of Ms Araceli or Maggie. We are lucky to have found this school. read more

My daughter goes to this preschool. The place is amazing! The teachers are phenomenal. They truly care about the children and really look to improve their self awareness skills. They are a Montessori based program and the growth I have seen in my daughter in amazing. I would recommend this school 100% read more

Fantastic school. Highly recommend. The teachers are very attentive, provide report cards to the parents, and always are thinking up fun new activities for them. It's been great for language, writing, social skills, and other developmental milestones. read more

First friends Montessori came highly recommended by our neighbor who had their daughter enrolled. Now our daughter has been going to First Friends for two years and she absolutely loves it, just thriving. Ms. Araceli teaches the younger class and our daughter adores her! She helped complete her potty training which most preschool/Montessori programs just won't do. Ms. Araceli teaches some Spanish which my husband and I really love. Her speech was greatly improved after enrollment. The building is a bit older but I have seen constant improvements inside and out in our time there. Mrs. Maggie owns the school and teaches the older children, our daughter will be going to her class next year. It's clear early childhood development is her passion. We love the big yard full of activities for endless play, chickens and a garden! Even I have made friends at First Friends! read more

My daughter attends First Friends Montessori and loves it! The school staff are extremely welcoming and caring. Ms. Maggie (the Director and Owner) is excellent and welcomes the students each morning with a smile. Ms. Araceli (my daughter's teacher) is very kind and organized. My daughter truly loves her and talks about her everyday (she misses school and Ms. Araceli on the weekends). There is a robust focus on social emotional learning and the whole child. This school allows students to progress based on their own academic and emotional needs and interests. First Friends Montessori holds parent events, field trips, and hosts a Farmers Market each month. Also, each month there is a theme. The students do activities, lessons, and art based on the theme. My daughter has made many friends and is already working on her writing. First Friends Montessori provides a safe, healthy, and engaging learning environment. I would recommend this school to anyone seeking a solid foundation for their child! read more

If you went to a new preschool to drop off enrollment paperwork and the only people present were a room of sleeping children with no adults to be found anywhere would you be concerned about that school? I walked through every room in the converted old house, around the entire yard and looked through the windows of a room behind the car port. I could see the entire room. There were kids sleeping and no adults anywhere. I went around each area 3 times looking for someone. I went by a few days later and told the lady who runs the school what I saw. Her explanation was "She was there. You just didn't see her. On Fridays we have all the kids over in that building." She pointed to the room off the back of the car port. She had a defensive tone of voice. Funny because that's where I saw the kids in, "that building," sleeping. Not finding them in the main building wasn't the issue. I asked her for my check back and she told me no. I said that I hadn't even turned the registration packet in yet and she insisted that she'd saved my daughter a spot and therefore I couldn't get a refund. How can she be holding my money if I haven't even completed registration? I'm not happy. read more

Great place, great teachers! They really get to know your kids and teach them all sorts of great things.