My son attended Vineyard Montessori from 9/3/2024 to 8/29/2025 between the ages of 2.5-3.5. I've taken several months to process what our family experienced there, and I'm now ready to share our story. Like many families, we waited months just to tour this school. It came highly recommended within the Sacramento/Elk Grove parent community, and we were initially very impressed. Our son has a slight speech delay, which I disclosed from the beginning. The staff assured us it would not be an issue and that they would nurture and support him. We believed he would thrive here. After a couple of months, the school moved him into the transition classroom where they begin potty training and encourage more independence. My husband and I expressed multiple concerns that he was not ready. He had just gotten comfortable with the toddler classroom routine and was happy there. The staff insisted he had to move because he had "aged out" and was "too big" to stay. (He is in the 99th percentile for height and weight.) They said it was unsafe for him to remain with smaller toddlers--even though there had never been a single incident involving our child. He played well with others and was loved by his teachers. We trusted the school's recommendation and agreed to the move. Looking back, this was our first red flag. From April through August, the transition class attempted to potty train him--unsuccessfully. As we had explained several times, he simply was not developmentally ready. He could not yet communicate when he needed to go, which is one of the most basic signs of readiness. At the end of August, we were called in for a parent-teacher conference. This is where everything changed. We were told that because of his size, he needed to move into the Pre-K classroom. However, they also admitted they did not believe he was ready for that environment because the teacher-to-child ratio is larger and he requires more redirection and attention throughout the day--something that is completely normal for toddlers. When I asked if he could remain in the transition class, even if it meant repeating the year, I was told no. Again, the reason given was that he was "too big" for the classroom. Instead, we were given 30 days to find a new childcare provider because our son did not meet their expectations. Anyone who has searched for childcare knows how unrealistic this is. Most centers have long waitlists just to tour and even longer waitlists to enroll. During the meeting, Ms. Julie casually said it should be easy for us to find another provider because there were "plenty of options." That statement alone showed how disconnected the leadership is from the reality parents face. My child was essentially judged for his size and his speech delay. Ms. Julie and Ms. Jenny made us feel like there was something seriously wrong with our son and even suggested he might need one-on-one care or homeschooling. What made this even more shocking is that none of these behavioral concerns had ever been brought to our attention before this meeting. Suddenly we were told he wasn't listening, was aggressive, and had trouble paying attention. Fast forward to today: our son is thriving at another daycare. Within the first month, he began speaking more words than he did during his entire year at Vineyard Montessori. This experience was incredibly disappointing and emotionally draining for our family. We felt judged, dismissed, and pushed out rather than supported. For a school that markets itself as nurturing and child-centered, our experience told a very different story. After speaking with other families, we learned that this situation is not unique to us. When several families share the same experience, it stops being an isolated incident and starts looking like a pattern. To be fair, I do want to acknowledge that the teachers themselves were kind and caring. Ms. Casey even cried during the meeting because she genuinely cared about my son and was sad to see him leave. I don't blame the teachers--it seemed clear they were simply following the decisions of the directors. I'm sharing our experience so other parents can make an informed decision before enrolling their children here. read more

My son attended Vineyard Montessori from July 2023 to June 2024, between the ages of 1.5 and 2.5 years old. I've sat with our experience for more than a year now, unsure if I should speak up. But I believe it's important for other families to hear what we went through. As first-time parents, we were thrilled to enroll our son. The environment appeared nurturing, the routine structured, and after a period of adjustment, he seemed happy. He was excited to go to school each day and formed friendships. We truly believed things were going well. That changed when we were called in for a meeting in April 2024 and told our son was struggling with listening, emotional regulation, and understanding personal space -- concerns that are extremely common at this age. We were advised by his teacher Miss Casey to take him to the pediatrician to be "tested for other things." We followed through, even bringing the teacher's written observation reports. Our pediatrician, who has known our son since birth, reassured us that the behaviors described were developmentally typical for a toddler. He felt the school was being excessive, but recommended an occupational therapy referral just to explore whether some sensory needs might be present. We immediately pursued that referral, even though appointments were months out. Throughout this process, we communicated openly and made it clear we were eager to be strong partners in supporting our son. We worked hard on the skills they identified and saw real improvements. Yet despite our efforts, we increasingly felt that the school saw our son -- and us -- as a problem to be removed rather than a family to support. Their expectations left very little room for normal developmental variance, learning curves, or grace. Ultimately, we were given a one-month deadline to meet their expectations before being told he would not be allowed to transition to the next class and would need to leave the school within the next month. We were devastated. In our final meeting with his teacher, Miss Casey, and the directors, Julie and Jenny, he was described as "aggressive" and "likely not able to function in a regular daycare setting." When we asked for specific examples, those claims were backtracked and they admitted that "aggressive" may not have been the right word, could not provide specifics, which further called into question the accuracy and fairness of their assessments. Fast forward to today: our son is thriving at a different daycare. The staff there is compassionate, communicative, and solution-oriented. They have embraced supporting his sensory needs (he was later diagnosed with proprioceptive dysfunction, which affects how he perceives movement, pressure, and personal space) and they partner with us to help him succeed. He has smoothly transitioned through multiple classrooms as he grows older, participates in group activities and field trips, and is thriving socially and emotionally. That contrast has put everything into perspective. At Vineyard Montessori, it became clear that they only wanted a certain type of child - one who fit into their mold - and they were not equipped or willing to support a child who learns differently or needs a bit more flexibility or support. While I understand that not every program is the right fit for every child, the way Vineyard Montessori handled the situation felt abrupt, clinical, judgmental, and lacking in empathy. We were made to feel that something was wrong with our son, when in reality he simply needed patience, understanding, and support. I hope the school takes this feedback as an opportunity to reflect - on how they support children who don't fit the mold, how they embrace neurodiversity, and how they partner with families. read more

I previously rated VM with three stars, but I want to take that back given their lack of communication and lack of accountability, despite various attempts at wanting to address concerns after I pulled my child from this school. My daughter went to VM for a over a year. She is a bright, very much gifted and intelligent. This school made her feel like an outcast and hurt her self perception in a very devastating manner, despite her obvious capabilities, to the point where we my husband and I are still working on building back our child's self esteem. Ms. Jacki, and her leadership, are not trained to support children who do not fit the common mold. Furthermore, this school claims to be Montessori, but based on our experience and expert advice, this school does not adhere to this philosophy. This is a day care that is financially motivated, no different than any other care center in our area, with the exception of the Montessori asthetic that is what attracts folks- because Montessori is "in." Since not attending this school, my daughter stopped having nightmares, behavior has improved and is overall flourishing. I do want to say that to this day, my daughter describes Ms. Laura as kind and understanding. I want to thank her because I believe that if it hadn't been for her, my daughter would have had an even more terrible time at this school. I did not intent to post this, as I would have rather talked to leadership directly. However their norm is to be unresponsive and/or avoid uncomfortable interaction so I had to resort to posting this. Parents, be aware that not all schools that claim to be Montessori are in fact that. Also, be mindful of the instructors and never doubt yourself or your child. Gut isntict does not lie! read more

Our family feels so incredibly blessed to have found this preschool! Julie, the owner, is everything you could ever hope for in a preschool leader--honest, caring, full of integrity, and truly invested in the well-being of every child. She has clearly put so much thought and effort into creating a warm, nurturing environment, and it shows in every aspect of the school. The teachers, including the amazing Ms. Jenny, are just as wonderful! It's clear they've been hand-picked, as they are so skilled, attentive, and loving. You can tell they genuinely enjoy what they do, and that positivity reflects in how they care for the children. As someone who has worked in childcare myself, I know how important it is for staff to feel supported and happy in their roles, and this team is a shining example of that. Our daughters are so excited to go to school every day, and that peace of mind has been life-changing for our family. My husband is able to focus on school, and I can work, knowing our girls are safe, loved, and thriving. Even when they get the smallest scrape or bump (because kids will be kids!), we're notified right away through the school's app, which gives us such reassurance and makes us feel so connected to what's happening during their day. Beyond the incredible care they receive, we've noticed such sweet changes in our girls' manners and behavior at home. It's so heartwarming to see them practicing the things they've learned at school. Julie and Ms. Jenny are a dream team, and their hard work and passion have truly made this the best preschool in Sacramento and Elk Grove. We are so grateful to be part of this amazing community and can't recommend this preschool highly enough. If you're looking for a place where your children will be loved, nurtured, and given the best possible start, this is it! read more

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My experience with this school has been amazing thus far. First the tour, I've heard so many great things and waitlist for this school is typically long but when I had the opportunity to do a tour with Miss Jenny in October 2024, I brought my son with me to see his engagement with the facility and student/staffs, he absolutely loved it. To my surprise, I was able to get my son in Miss Casey's class (toddler class) within a week of touring the school! AMAZING RIGHT!? My son started the toddler class at 2 years old in October 2024 and she is so awesome. Since he was my first child, it was nerve wrecking for him and myself to go from at home car with family to daycare at school but Miss Casey was so patient, kind, and supportive through the process. Within 3 days of constant crying when I left my son at drop off, to him not wanting to come home at pick up. He went from words to sentences in weeks. Moving to today he's in preK class and he loves Miss Jenny and everyone in the class. Definitely thriving socially and academically at 3 years old. Everyone I know has since said he sees very mature for his age. Now with my second son starting the infant class this week. I didn't think I would be even more impressed with the infant class staff especially Miss Lupe. Having to put my second son in daycare at such a young age is scary but the staff has been so supportive of everything including his eczema condition, constant lotion/ointment applications and most importantly being so accommodating to all his needs. Overall, yes daycare/Montessori school is expensive but I would definitely not change putting my kids in a trusted environment to something cheaper. Both of my sons are thriving and doing so great so far! Best decision I made into putting them in this school. Thank you for being able to hire such caring and supportive teachers cause I have not yet had one bad experience with anyone and everyone there is so amazing. read more

This place is amazing! Teachers here really go above and beyond for your children, truly providing excellent quality care. I have had both my children enrolled since November, and they both are thriving. I really love vineyard Montessori. I'm so thankful for all the dedication of the wonderful staff members. read more

Seems like a nice Montessori when we toured it and put a deposit down for the waitlist 9 months ahead so our son can start when he turns 3 for the preschool. Never was contacted for enrollment and lost the deposit. End up enrolling at a different school. read more

Incredibly disappointed by their lack of communication during the enrollment and waitlist process. A heads up that they will ask you for a deposit for their waitlist and then ghost you after you have paid. As a new parent, I feel like they are taking advantage of the fact that infant care and childcare is so hard to come by in Sacramento. When we took the tour in Oct of 2022 they assured us that we would get in once our baby was a 18 months or if a spot opened up in the infant class. The only time I heard back from them was when I reached out for an update. I have since emailed them asking for our deposit back as they did not follow through and it is evident that there was no intention of our child ever being able to get in. I have heard nothing since. I am including screenshots of the email communication. It's really unfortunate that they are choosing to take advantage of parents and take people's money with no intention to actually provide a service. read more

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This review is long overdue, I just can't say enough great things about Vineyard Montessori. Hands down the best school! The teachers are amazing multiplied by 1000! They truly care, nurture, and love the kids. They provide a calm and safe environment and maintain a well kept organized classroom. It takes a special person to teach this age group and they do a fantastic job. The curriculum is phenomenal, touching base on several different aspects. The daily jobs kept my son engaged and challenged while learning essential life skills along the way. Vineyard Montessori, you will always hold a special place in my heart; thank you for helping my son grow. I couldn't have asked for a better school/teachers to help build the foundation. He has learned so much here! read more

Vineyard Montessori - Montessori Schools Near Me - Sacramento, California

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Since I got pregnant I have been so stressed about what I will be doing for infant care once baby arrives. I toured many facilities and just didn't feel right at the tours, but this school made me feel so comfortable. Jenny, the director, was so warm and caring to talk to. She was very thorough and just made me feel so at ease. The school was so calming and beautiful. I was highly impressed with the playgrounds they had and the huge field or children to play on, you just don't see playgrounds like that! Walking through the classrooms they are clean and organized and the children looked happy and calm as they were doing their activities, even the toddlers! We immediately put our application in and are very excited for having our baby in their care. read more

We really love this daycare based on our experience in the infant classroom, but also in passing getting to observe the older classrooms, we have been very impressed. The teachers are phenomenal! They seem to genuinely care about the children and are invested in their wellbeing and growth. Of the daycares we toured, they had the teachers with the most experience/lower teacher turnover, and the best teacher to child ratio. The environment felt safe, thoughtful and calm. It's also quite diverse. Our child's teachers have been nurturing and willing to be flexible based on our (parents') requests geared toward optimizing our child's individual needs at school. When our child was a young infant, I saw him express excitement walking up the doorsteps to go to school, and I've seen him smile at his teachers multiple times at drop-off. I've observed him be content playing, drinking milk, and eating solids without issue. He naps and eats at the same times every day with very consistent structure. I love seeing pictures of outdoor time, storytime, and different activities they do with the infants. They earned my trust very early on since starting our child here. Their hard work to care for infants all day and keep them safe and healthy is very much under-appreciated, so I hope we (parents) can do a better job at expressing gratitude for the wonderful and impactful work they're doing. Thank you so much!! read more

My grandchildren have been attending this preschool for the last few years. I have seen them grow tremendously academically and socially from attending there. I highly recommend them. read more

Vineyard is one of two Montessori academies our daughter has attended. It is easily the better of the two daycare facilities. While community engagement has taken a hit due to COVID protocols, Vineyard has been intentional and effective with maintaining daily communications (via Brightwheel app and email), community events (via Zoom), online photography (with consent... via IG) and at drop off/pick up. The COVID protocols prioritize the health and safety of the children, staff and families. Vineyard has encouraged and helped facilitate socialization, friendships and playdates outside of school, our daughter has growing friendships and so do we. Vineyard adheres to Montessori practices and we see this reflected in her language, dexterity, attentiveness, creativity, and expression. We couldn't be more pleased. read more

I looked at quite a few daycares all over Sacramento and was beginning to get a little frustrated. They all were lacking everything I wanted for my daughter. But then the clouds parted and I finally found this little gem of a school. To say I was impressed is an understatement. I never even considered a Montessori school before my tour, but I now think this is a perfect fit for my curious 15 month old. The classrooms are not only new but clean and organized. The staff is caring and have been helping my daughter transition into a learning environment away from home. I would definitely recommend Vineyard Montessori to anyone looking for daycare. read more

The best preschool in the South Sacramento/Elk Grove area! Our daughter attended both Vineyard Montessori and its predecessor Montessori Country Academy (MCA). What a wonderful experience at both. Vineyard is the newer, fancier version and the classrooms and grounds are really beautiful. We went to two other preschools in town previously and Vineyard/MCA are much better places. The owner/director Miss Julie and the teachers are outstanding. You can tell how much they care about the children. The Montessori method puts emphasis on observing each child and individualizing their education. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed school and her friends and teachers. She learned a great deal, including some pretty cool math concepts and geography and biology. They had additional activities such a holiday parties and fun field trips. At our previous preschool, all the kids were required to lie in their cot and be quiet and still for 2.5-3 hours every day during nap time, even though many 4 and 5 year olds no longer nap. MCA/Vineyard was the only program we found that did not require naps for kids who had outgrown them. Instead they provided additional learning activities. I think this is a testament to Miss Julie's dedication to the kids. Other places try to save a couple hours of teacher pay by requiring all preschoolers to nap, but Miss Julie brings in additional teachers to cover that time. She treats her staff well, so there is limited turnover. One teacher told me she had worked at other Montessori schools before, and her experience with with MCA/Vineyard was much better. read more

I am currently in the process of moving to Sacramento and had begun my research for daycares in the area for both of my sons,, ages 3 and 18 months. I reached out to the school and received an email stating that currently there were only openings for my 3 year old and a waiting list for my 18 month old. I was excited and set up a tour. The tour unfortunately was going to be a month a way, about a week from when we actually were going to move. I receive an email stating all the spots had been filled for 3 year Olds as well. This put me and my family in a terrible position as I was planning on my son to be enrolled after the tour. The school should have informed me that there are several other applicants in the queue for tours and there is a great chance this spot will be filled by the time my tour came around. I felt this school's offers no transparency and misleads families. Communication doesn't seem to be a strong point for the administrators of this school. I am no left in a position to scramble and enroll my son in an alternate daycare. With two deaths in my family recently, juggling all this is mentally impossible. This school really let this mourning mother down. What a shame! Hopefully future families don't make the same mistake I did. I really wish they would have been more transparent in telling me that their were other kids waiting for the same spot, just like they had no problem mentioning the waitlist for my 18 month old. I am in tears now wondering what am I going to do and will I be able to find care for my son in such a short turn around time. There is no empathy from the administrators as to the position they have put me in. This school is a great disappointment along with it's administrators. read more

We love Vineyard Montessori! Our toddler had been in daycare here since August 2019. We really saw him thrive here and learn so much. We love what a sweet and warm community we found. The facility is always clean, we love that they have a huge outdoor space for kids to run around, and our toddler learned so much in the short time he was here, from learning to clean up after himself, to putting on his own jacket. He became so independent thanks to the care and attention from the toddler teachers. Unfortunately, we are now working from home and don't have a need for daycare. We truly loved our time and Vineyard Montessori, and we can't wait to re-enroll our son once the pandemic is over! read more

Love this place and all of the wonderful teachers. My daughter started this school over a year ago and she is extremely happy here. It took her a really long time to adjust but all of the teachers were extremely patient and caring. The staff does an amazing job with communication. My son will be starting here soon and I can't wait! read more

Pros - staff is amazing. Sweet and gentle handling. The facility is clean and cozy. Outdoor is huge and has great play areas. Con - they dont provide school lunch except snacks. Parking is limited. Overall, i would recommend this place for families. read more

Vineyard Montessori is a wonderful school with phenomenal staff who truly understand children, foster learning, and support all families. As a mother of three, I have had one graduate and move on after completing the preschool and kinder programs. My other two will continue to go through Vineyard until they age out as well. Vineyard has fostered my children's independence, taught them how to navigate socially, and covered academic subjects thoroughly. My oldest is the top of her class in public schooling now and I credit Vineyard for facilitating the learning experience in a fun and effective way that catered to her learning styles. I truly believe this school sets the bar for Montessori, if you tour other schools, you will see that not all Montessori schools are this amazing. read more

My son loves it at Vineyard. I used to feel horrible every day when I dropped him at his previous daycare. He would cry and cry. I felt like a horrible mom. Now that he is at Vineyard, he can't get out of the house every morning fast enough. The teachers and the director, Julie are amazing. I have not met a staff yet that is not kind, loving and just absolutely amazing with my son and the other children there. I have observed the way they deal with the kids during tantrums or other problems and I try to mimic the way they handle situations. They are amazing and I gladly make the hour round trip every day to take my son to school. read more

Wowww! OMG! A must visit! I was impressived within the first 3 minutes of visiting this Montessori Preschool!! I had a list of 7 preschool/Montessori Schools to visit, so I brought my 3 year old son to help me decide which school would be best for him. I knew my son would be clinging to me if he didnt like a school or if he felt uncomfortable or even felt a bad vibe. However, my son loved Vineyard Montessori more than me. He started working at the different work stations which were all educational based. Every part of the tour he wanted to work at a learning station, and when he went outside to the playground he asked me to leave. "Go byebye Daddy, Go" he told me . My son didnt want to leave, and I wanted to start him there on this visit (smh... lol). I felt tears of joy from the visit, and very happy to start my son within a week. I am happy and excited a school, director and staff like this exists for my son to achieve. I decided not to waste my time and complete my list of school to visit because every box was checked at Vinyard Montessori. The professionalism, cleanliness, top quality teachers/staff, classiness on every level, strong educational piece, up to date learning style & standards, high structure, quiet learning environment, large yard and good size play ground, lots of bikes and outside toys, nice size facilities with multiple rooms (but not too large, perfect size), experienced and highly educated director who is loving with a large staff/teachers. The last part that swept me off my feet was the pricing. I was preparing myself for $1500 - $2000 monthly, however when I was told $900 or so monthly for full-time, than I was completely blown away. Vinyard Montessori is a must visit, for you will be impressed and blown away too. read more

If you are looking for a school that will ignite your child's passion for learning this is the place!!!!! I toured many pre-school programs before choosing this school. And as they all seemed like they did a good job. I had an immediate liking to this school and their program. My daughter has attended this school for 1.5 years and her desire for learning has steadily increased. Before she turned 5 she was writing her first and last name, spelling and reading small words, adding and subtracting numbers and requesting to read chapter books! She is also able to express herself with the various art projects they do. The staff is amazing and caring. They notify me immediately of any concerns they have. And during this Covid pandemic have taken immediate measures to keep the children teach and their staff safe. By taking each child's temperature each morning and having a front door drop off. As a working parent through this pandemic, it is one less stressor knowing your child is able to safely continue their education! Thank you all staff for setting up my child with such a strong educational foundation for her to enter kindergarten with! We will miss you read more

This is hands down the best pre school you could put your child in. It is a legit Montessori school and has amazing teachers. Not to mention it is absolutely gorgeous! You will not find another pre school with the amount of outside play area as well. There is so much great things I could say about his school. The owner is also amazing who has a real passion for children and the Montessori philosophy. read more

I cannot recommend this preschool enough! All 3 of my boys attended VM for their formative years between 15 months- 5 years. I toured many schools because I wanted to find a preschool closer to my house, but none were nearly as nurturing, safe, or as happy as VM. The staff members are all so happy, patient, wise, and loving. They are magicians who can charm these toddlers into using their words, cheerfully clean up after themselves, and take turns participating. The facility is beautiful, large, and full of the most engaging learning materials. We are so thankful to have had this amazing community during our children's preschool years. read more

Vineyard Montessori is an amazing place. When we were looking for a preschool for our son we had some special considerations for our son's health issues. We needed a safe environment where our son could be challenged academically as well as building independence and social skills. Vineyard Montessori meets all those requirements in a friendly and caring environment. The teachers are very responsive to my son's needs and communicate with us often. We feel lucky to have found Vineyard Montessori. read more

I was highly interested in enrolling my son at Vineyard Montessori this Fall 2018 for the Pre-K program and made an appointment to tour with the Director/Owner, Julie Green. When I showed up for the tour as previously scheduled and confirmed in an email, no one was in the office upon my arrival. After ringing to doorbell several times with no success, I decided to call the facility. Yet, still no answer. Therefore, after five minutes of waiting patiently with my son outside, I decided it was time to go home. This was very unprofessional and pathetic! As I was in my car getting ready to drive, the head teacher Ms. Mary came out to tell me she saw me walking outside. I informed Ms. Mary I had a 10:30 AM tour appointment with Julie. Ms. Mary told me, Julie is not in and is out of town unfortunately. I responded, How could Julie not be in? I showed Ms. Mary the email conversation exchange between Julie and I. Julie wrote she had a 10:00 AM tour already scheduled, but could make 10:30 AM work for me. Ms. Mary then offered to give me a quick tour and I accepted it since I was there already. I would have been more understanding and happy to if Julie sent me a message or call me beforehand to reschedule the tour for another day. This negative experience I encountered truly shows what type of Director/Owner Julie is. read more

We love vineyard montessori!! The teachers are super sweet and answer any questions that we have . The facility is amazing. I really feel like this school is a perfect fit for us. We have been here for a couple months now and I truly feel that my daughter has learned so much. read more

My son has been at this school for nearly a year now and overall I am really happy with the choice to enroll him. As a parent, there so many things to consider and it is difficult to trust someone else with your child. We struggled with finding a place that we know would have great teachers, good student:teacher ratios, clean classrooms, and provide the right amount of structure and love to our son's life outside of the home. He is 2 years old and really enjoys school at Vineyard. It took him a couple of weeks to adjust when he first started, which was expected. He quickly acclimated to the life at school and he is really in his element there. The school really does foster an independent child. The director, Miss Julie, is great with people and understands what parents are looking for. The lead teacher of the classroom, Miss Anchalee, has done a great job being firm but kind to the kiddos from what I can see. Assistant teachers change sometimes, but the lead teachers in all the classrooms seem to be pretty consistent. I trust that my son will be safe and happy at the school. I'd like to think that I have quite a bit to do with his development, but I think being in school has helped his language development, motor skills, and social skills. My son is 2 and speaks in full sentences and has learned to do many things on his own like put toys away, bring dishes to the sink, etc. They have also done a great job continuing the efforts to potty train my son. I'm happy with Vineyard and their program. Thank you to everyone at Vineyard, your effort is so much appreciated! read more

VINEYARD MONTESSORI is the place where you want your kids to go!!!!! My 2 kids been going to Julie's schools MCA for 4 years just transfer them to vineyard Montessori. I love all the staff they're very sweet and caring for the kids, my kids have learned so much with letters, numbers and at being independently and social skills:) read more