Montessori in Motion is truly a gem. From the moment we walked in, I could feel the calm, nurturing energy 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. read more

My daughter started at MIM once she turned 2 and she's loving it. So much so, she never wants to come 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. read more

Can't recommend Montessori in Motion enough. Our daughter was well prepared for the transition to Kindergarten following her two years at this school. The teachers are down-to-earth, and the school is well-maintained. We felt confident everyday that our daughter was in a safe learning environment, filled with a variety of activities to do, led by teachers who genuinely cared about the wellbeing of all their students. She would run through the gate without looking back each morning and would have stayed past closing to hang out with her friends if she could. We highly recommend this school to anyone seeking a nurturing learning environment that's run with a family-friendly vibe. read more

Crystal and Josh (owners) incredibly warm and loving and the teachers and staff share the same genuine sweetness towards the students. I am so grateful for their care for both of my children. Graduating was a tough moment for us! The school days and operations are well-organized. Family account is easily ma aged over an app. Highly recommend! read more

We have three children and for a few different reasons, including the pandemic, we ended up at three different preschools. We have a lot to compare MiM to in Marin. This was by far our best preschool experience. The teachers do a remarkable job creating a calm and fun learning environment. The kids learn all the preschool essentials: working with other kids, forming flexible friendships and resiliency. Our son also learned a lot of academic skills also: he could count to 100 well before kindergarten and was doing some simple reading. He also has great math concepts. For parents: it's easy, set up for working parents and low drama. Communication is professional and consistent - a rarity! We can't recommend the school enough. We wish all three of our kids had attended! read more

Our daughter attended Montessori in Motion (MIM) for 2 years before entering Kindergarten. Sending her to MIM was one of the best decisions we made as parents! Our daughter was well prepared for Kindergarten both socially and academically because of her MIM experience. The teachers and staff are kind, caring and very good with the kids. The physical space is well maintained, clean and organized. I highly recommend MIM to anyone looking for a preschool for their child. It is truly one of Marin's best kept secrets. read more

I can't say enough good things about Montessori in Motion! The talented staff are so loving with the kids and truly passionate about what they do. My son started in Dec 2020 and they did an amazing job keeping the kids and staff safe from Covid at a time where we still didn't know much. His knowledge, social skills, and fine-motor skills grew so much during his 2.5 years there. He was extremely well-prepared for Kindergarten, and transitioned with ease. My daughter just entered her 2nd year and loves going to school. She's also learning so much and building her independence. If you're looking for an intimate, loving, safe place for your kiddos, look no further that MIM! Their class sizes are small, so make sure you get a spot early! read more

I can't recommend Montessori in Motion highly enough. Crystal and Josh are two long-time owners who genuinely care about the families and kids they work with. Our first daughter started when she was almost three; she had previously been in environments where she was run over by other kids. Crystal went out of her way to ensure she was taken care of and looked after; consequently, our daughter blossomed and developed confidence during the time she was there. She now attends the local elementary school in a highly-regarded school district and arrived with academic skills at the top of her class. (Montessori in Motion doesn't push academics, but does provide a nurturing and encouraging environment where kids will naturally learn.) I couldn't ask for more. Our youngest, now 2.5, just started at MiM this fall and loves it as well. We have nothing but confidence that she'll receive the same great experience that our first daughter did. Not only do Crystal and Josh provide great care for our daughters, but they also create a community of parents and kids who contribute to the school, invite classmates to birthday parties, and cultivate great relationships among kids and parents alike. We're good friends with several of the families because of our shared experience at Montessori in Motion. read more

Montessori in Motion is an absolute gem! I can't say enough about the amazing care, education, structure, independence, and creativity the children learn. The facility is great, the teachers are top notch, and the community of parents are wonderful. I am so impressed with what my daughter has learned and the confidence this program has given her. I was born and raised in Terra Linda and know the school options very well. I would recommend Montessori in Motion as my first choice to any parent looking for preschool for their child! read more

We loved Montessori in Motion from our very first experience with Josh and Crystal. Our daughter spent two amazing years at MIM and we watched her thrive under the guidance and nurturing of Josh and Miss Aliyah in the blue classroom and in the playground will all of the MIM staff. All the staff are very thoughtful and creative in their approach to each individual student. They are very patient and kind especially during the morning drop offs. Their educational programs within the classroom are fantastic with a big emphasis on creativity and learning in a fun environment. The wild care program and onsite gardening are also brilliant additions! Josh and Crystal were always available for parent - teacher communication. Our daughter graduated this year and transitioned so smoothly to kindergarten - her experience at MIM was integral in that process. She blossomed at MIM as all the staff encourage the kids to be the best versions of themselves whilst being able to express themselves and interact with others - big and small! Montessori in Motion is a great community of staff, kids and parents. We miss it, but are so thankful for our experience there. read more

We have loved our time at this school! In the past 6 months it has been incredible to see all that our son has learned from the caring and attentive staff at Montessori in Motion. He's learned new songs and games and he's even able to sit at the table for meals with us! The teachers are creative and our son loves school so much he often asks to stay when I pick him up at the end of the day. They have a beautiful playground where the kids go outside every day, and our kiddo comes home happy and exhausted after running around with all his friends! read more

Our family absolutely adores Montessori In Motion. Our oldest son started here when he was three and continued for two years. He really thrived under the guidance of MIM's exceptional teachers - they were integral in helping him prepare for Kindergarten. He learned all of his letters, started writing, is well on his way to reading, and learned so many practical life skills like how to fold, how to interact in groups, how to raise a hand when he has something to say, etc.. They also helped with potty training - which had been a challenge for us. We are sad that he will be transitioning to our local elementary school this fall but we will be sending our younger son to MIM as soon as he is old enough! read more

We just moved to the area and actually this is the only preschool I toured. Call it second kid syndrome, but after I toured, I didn't feel like I needed to see any other schools. This school had everything I was looking for: 1. Lots of light 2. Lots of outdoor time 3. Nurturing teachers 4. Organic food principals 5. Perfect balance of academic and play curriculum 6. A good blend of Montessori with some avenues for creativity 7. Good communication between teacher and parents 8. Full-time care! 9. They don't force naps 10. Clean environment There is just one problem...I can NEVER get him out of the school at pick up! He wants to stay and play. read more

Montessori In Motion has exceeded my desires for childcare in every way possible. The staff is warm, welcoming, loving and patient. They understand the needs of children and are able to work to ensure each child is seen, understood, and able to thrive. We have been with them for 3 years and during this crazy COVID time, they have truly been a glimpse of normalcy for my son. They are taking every precaution to protect the students and staff, while finding fun ways to teach the kids how to follow new procedures. Crystal has gone above and beyond for my family and we are so lucky to be a part of this incredible school. My son comes home singing songs, telling me what they're learning, drawing pictures of the earth and telling me the continents! He is enjoying learning and is bringing these tools home where we can continue to work on them. The communication between parent and teacher makes me feel very informed and like I know what is truly happening each day. I would recommend this lovely school time and time again! read more

We love MIM, our son have been there for almost a year and he is always happy when I drop him in and never wants to leave when I pick him up, He had really thrived on Montessori system and you can tell that Montessori teachings are for life, the teachers are great, always available for parent-teacher communication and very flexibles. On more technicals aspects: the classrooms are full of light, the playground is incredible over the hill, and there is always place to park!!! Don't think it twice MIM is a great Preeschool =) read more

Our son has been attending Montessori In Motion (MiM) for three years. He is "graduating" this week. The experience has been overwhelmingly positive, and we have no regrets. Neither will you. MiM is a remarkable place with a dedicated staff that takes child enrichment seriously while putting into practice the remodel of "love, laughter, learning" in everything that they do. In these three, amazing years, our son has evolved into an artist, encouraged every step of the way to express himself. We are so grateful that he has had a place to find himself, and we hope that this will carry on into kindergarten - it will be a very different, bigger experience than he has had so far. And that leads to what I believe is the most special aspect of MiM. You only have one chance to be a child, and it deserves nurturing, patience and encouragement. Our children will have the rest of the lives to deal with standardized testing and assessments. This is their chance to learn how to play, interact with other kids both older and younger in an intensive, nurturing environment. This is the secret of MiM. Small schools like this foster interpersonal growth that just can't be artificially created in large school settings. MiM IS Montessori, through and through. The kids use the mats, they leave out their 'work' and get plenty of time to work solo to improve their skills. But don't expect lab coats and clipboards or disengaged observation. These teachers are dedicated, and while it is Montessori, it's in 'motion' indeed, and laughter is encouraged. The setting. MiM is at the top of a hill, overlooking San Rafael. It's idyllic from this regard. No dealing with rush hour traffic and parking. The kids get to see wildlife, and they play in a secure play area dedicated only to them. MiM offers daycare until 6pm. It's totally reasonable, and a perfect transition from school. Most days when we pick up our son, he looks at us with disappointment as he's engaged in a project or playing with friends. He's never complained about school, and we're thrilled that he'll be able to return next year for daycare as he transitions to a new kindergarten. If you're looking for a safe, loving, Montessori based place and partner for your child or children, you can't do better than MiM. Feel free to reach out with any questions. read more

I have had two of my children attend this preschool over several years, and i wish my third kid could have attended too, but he was too old when we moved to the area from the East Coast. My youngest "graduated" in June 2012, and will go to Vallecito next year. We will miss the wonderful staff and great education given there. This preschool is a gem in the rough. A few years ago, when I visited for the first time, the place came across as a bit cahotic, and i was somewhat put off. My wife had selected the preschool because it was the cheapest Montessori preschool in our area, it was close to our place, and she had a good vibe with the staff (she visited a number of other places at the time). I started to question her judgement, but did not push things, and we stuck with it. Lucky us! The staff proved to be fantastic, and though some great teachers (e.g., Linda) have moved on (retirement), the preschool has been able to hire new teachers that have been great (e.g., Crystal). I have seen other parents having the same first impression i had initially, and question the quality of the school. My recommendation to parents looking for a very solid preschool is to look deeper than the cahotic feel they may get on the surface. The care, love and level of education for the children is top notch. For parents looking for an unpretentious place where the staff will genuily deeply care for their children, where kids are safe and yet where kids are also kids, where their children will be exposed to diversity, and where ultimately their children will receive top notch education (all of this at a reasonnable price relative to other preschools), I highly recommend the place. ps: English is my second language, so please apologies for any typo, grammatical errors, etc. read more

My son started attending this last September, in the middle of the pandemic (2020). To say they have been a life saver isn't even giving them enough credit. Crystal and Josh, and the other great teachers, are patient, loving and wonderful role models for my son and the other kiddos at Montessori in Motion. The days are full of creative learning, fun and mentally stimulating activities, which is so necessary for energetic, spirited kids like mine. They use positive discipline (which is amazing!!) with the children, and it has been very helpful for us in our home life as well. We are sad to leave this school, but since my little guy will be in kindergarten next year, we signed him up for the whole summer (camps) just to get to soak up as much from them as possible! With such a difficult year behind us, and still going through COVID-19, Montessori In Motion has been a god send to our family, knowing our son is in a place that can challenge him mentally, and exhaust him physically (while offering him a safe place to grow). My son loves the teachers here, his friends here, and we feel extremely lucky to have found this little gem of a school for him. If you are lucky enough to experience all that is Montessori in Motion, you will know what I'm talking about! Thank you Crystal and Josh (and Kate), we adore you and your loving sweet school!! read more

We are new to Montessori in Motion, but I felt that even our brief experience might be helpful to others considering the school. We've been dreading the transition to pre-school because of the separation anxiety. Yes, we are wimps-- we are those parents that failed at sleep training. So for years we have feared matriculation, because we knew failure was not an option. The team at MiM has been amazing. We have been so relieved by their dedication to helping our son succeed. When we had a difficult drop-off (tears), Crystal personally called us to update his status during the day. We were so relieved to know that she was keeping an eye on him, and that she cared enough to keep us updated. We can see that the separation is still very hard for our son, but we can also see that Velinda and Crystal have created an environment that our son aspires to be a part of, and I believe that fuels his bravery. At the end of the day, educational frameworks do not make a school-- people do. I would choose this school regardless of the teaching philosophy. Whether it's preschool or grad school, MiM has made me realize that a great school inspires you to goals and gives you just enough support to help you realize them. Here's to hoping that the next twenty years of education will be as fulfilling as this first week! Thank you! read more

That little simple school is wonderfull and run by people who loves the kids and really try to accomodate their parents. I do have one child actually enrolled here, and the kids are learning a lot (geography, biology, science, food, spanish, music and also, of course, socializing, reading and writing etc...) with teachers love to teach and have a really special relationship with them. They are respectfull of each child personality and encourage the kids to solve their problems themselves instead of stepping in each time there is a conflict. This is a really nice school. read more

We love Montessori in Motion! Both our daughters attended MIM and we could not be happier with our choice of preschool. My oldest was more than prepared for kindergarten (youngest just graduated and oldest graduated last year), and tested at 2nd grade level at the first developmental testing. We've witnessed our girls develop socially and intellectually during their time at MIM. The school is extremely organized and the teachers are AMAZING and know your child! The children are taught to treat each other, and the staff, with compassion and respect. Teasing and bullying are not permitted behaviors -- the children are in a safe, supportive environment. I've been a MIM parent for fives years and the genuine love for children are demonstrated at every level. The Montessori method practiced at the school is a dynamic learning environment and engages the children's interests and promotes creativity. This school is a gem and I enthusiastically recommend MIM for your child. read more

From the moment we stepped onto the playground of this remarkable preschool we felt completely welcomed. And while we interviewed several preschools in the area, non compared with the attention, dedication, encouragement, and skill the teachers exhibit in working with the kids. It was important for us to have our child in a culturally diverse program and we found just that at Montessori in Motion; which certainly makes for a much richer learning environment. We also appreciate the consistent feedback on how our son is doing in school, both socially and academically. But most importantly, our son is excelling in this setting. His self-confidence and self-esteem has significantly increased. In the first few weeks, he counted to 10 in Spanish! He comes home and is excited to tell us about his learning lessons in science, geometry, music, and how much he enjoys hot lunches on Thursdays! He is making good friends and our community is continuing to grow... I highly recommend Montessori in Motion without reservation. read more

This is a fantastic preschool. Montessori based with a great attitude. My son attends and has been happy ever since he started

Montessori in Motion is a unique and special place. Our daughter has thrived there for the past 3 years. The teachers are so caring, they love what they do and it really shows. Our daughter is now 5 and on her way to kindergarten in the fall, she is has been reading for quite some time and is very proficient in math. I feel she is extremely well prepared for kindergarten. I have always felt that the teachers really appreciate each child's unique qualities. They are very flexible in how they work with the children but also provide good boundaries. The teachers have years of wisdom and experience teaching preschool and it really shows! They are all trained Montessori teachers, very creative, nuturing, and great at getting the kids excited about doing their work. The school is in a secluded location and has a great playground. We will definately be sending our other daughter when she turns 2. read more

Montessori in Motion was everything I had hoped for in a preschool. The teachers are caring, nurturing and dedicated. The classrooms are bright and inviting, and it has the most beautiful playground, filled with play structures, cubby houses, ride-ons, and plenty of shade. MIM is just the right size - small enough to feel safe and cozy for my 2 1/2 year old when she first started there, yet big enough to grow with her all the way through her preschool years. I love that children of different ages all get to play together in the playground. Playing with the older kids gave my daughter inspiration and motivation to try new things; and when she became one of the big kids, she really enjoyed helping the little kids. It also gave her a lot of self-confidence that she has carried with her to Kindergarten. MIM did an incredible job preparing her for Kindergarten in so many ways - both academically and in social-emotional skills. And while she learned so much there, she also had plenty of time to just play, be creative and make friends. I am very grateful to Crystal and all the other wonderful teachers, and so happy we chose Montessori in Motion. read more