Montessori Child Development Center

Our 5 YO pre-K daughter is coming up on 1 year at MCDC and we have pretty much nothing bad to say. All of the teachers and staff are so caring and really passionate about taking good care of the kiddos. We love that the vibe is kind of like home. Always a calm, structured environment, which has been a big benefit for our daughter who did not thrive well in the raucous chaos that is public school. We love that our daughter is already learning to read and write, do math, geography, etc., in addition to the traditional Montessori curriculum. We also love the bi-annual music concerts and really appreciate that the staff incorporate music, singing, and acting into the mix. Overall, it's a great place.

Truly a hidden gem in the mix of preschools and Montessori schools in the area. We toured almost all the options available. We are extremely happy with our choice. The warmth and community feeling this school has is incredible. The education, emphasis on Montessori, sense of family/ community amongst students and teachers has just exceeded all that we’d hoped for in a school to send our daughter too. I’ve also been so impressed with the caliber of teachers here and the tenure held by them which is so rare in the early education sector. Every piece of work for the children is so thought out and intentional, I wish I had the opportunity to learn there! I also love that they have a wonderful play space/ backyard such free natural open space for the kids to interact with nature and just a serene perfect setting.

This is one of the few truly Montessori schools left. In this day and age, where there is so much unproven new technology embedded in schools right from preschool, we've seen and feel the tried and tested Montessori approach that has been carefully designed from every toy used to how advanced learning material is introduced to kids, is what kids should be going through. Our older kid went there after trying a couple other places, and this is top on the list of schools we are considering for our next one. If you are a parent looking to put your child in school today, it is likely that this school existed before you were born. The school is being run by people truly passionate about helping young kids, and have compassionate teachers who have been working there for decades. I've never seen kinder, more well behaved kids come out of any other school, or another place of learning where kids are so happy to go to. Every time my older one couldn't go here when he was not well, I remember how bummed out he was.

We enrolled out 4 year old daughter at MCDC last year and have been watching her grow and develop into a happy, curious, independent and confident young girl. She is learning so many things -- addition/subtraction, writing, reading, how to make recycled paper, the human skeleton, singing, cooking, gardening, the life cycle of water....etc. She is also learning to be loving and caring of other people, animals and even insects. She tells me not to kill spiders because they are living things. We are very happy with the school and thrilled to see our little girl growing and developing so well. We love all the staff -- everyone is super passionate about Montessori teaching and also very caring and attentive to the kids. Ms Carolyn is an amazing teacher and Makena loves her. Thank you for a wonderful year and we are looking forward to another wonderful year at MCDC. Thank you!

What a wonderful gift this school is to give to your young child in their early learning and development. My child has been there for the past two years and she is learning in so many ways - practical skills, gardening, swimming, manners, in addition to what you might expect related to early writing, reading and math. The setting of the school is bucolic at its best, boasting a wide open backyard with a garden and farm animals which the children tend to, as well as an expansive lawn and free play area. The staff is stellar - from the owner, to the administrator and all the teachers, aides, and after school caregivers. Their passion for the program and care for the children is evident in everything they do - from frequent email updates, monthly newsletters with lots of pictures, thematic learning programs, special parent teaching nights, twice yearly sing alongs performed by the children, and a school sleepover as part of the summer program! It's all carefully planned and enthusiastically received by the kids (and parents)! There is a reason this school has been a mainstay of the Poway community for 35+ years. It's a special place and we feel very fortunate to have our child attending the 3 year program, which evolves each year based on the child's age as they grow from student to teacher, gaining independence and confidence as they learn skills that will carry them throughout their school careers and beyond.

MCDC is a fantastic school. When searching for a preschool for my oldest child, MCDC made the very top of my list. Their teachers and staff are consistently caring and supportive and the environment is warm and nurturing. In addition to a 5 star Montessori classroom environment, they also have a beautiful garden and animals that the children help tend to. My daughter completed all of her preschool years and kindergarten at MCDC and my son attends preschool there. It has been wonderful to witness my children blossom in their care and I am grateful that MCDC is giving them such a great first start. I often tell friends to just take a look at MCDC, to pay them a visit and check them out!

When I was looking for schools for my kids, MCDC was the first one that popped into my head. I was one of the first children to attend MCDC. When I spoke with Marijane she remembered exactly who I was from all those years ago. The independent learning is what made me more interested in bringing my children here. They focus on what the children's abilities are. I love that the school is in a house setting. There are animals here and a garden the kids get to work in. They also have a wonderful summer school program. My children are 9, 8, and 3. My oldest went to kindergarten here which helped them excel at public school. My youngest just loves the school and her caring teachers. I don't think you will find another school with this setting in Poway. This school is definitely the place for my kids and I would recommend it to any parent.