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Welcome to Montessori & Me Preschool and Kindergarten
Rooted in Love, Embodying Joy, Growing through Nature.
East Pasadena’s premier nature-based Montessori and Reggio inspired preschool and kindergarten for ages 18 months through 6 years. We cultivate compassion, community, and lifelong learning through authentic materials, outdoor exploration, bilingual (Spanish–English) immersion, agricultural appreciation, and global traditions.
Welcome to
Montessori & Me
Preschool and Kindergarten
Rooted in Love, Embodying Joy, Growing through Nature.
East Pasadena’s premier nature-based Montessori and Reggio inspired preschool and kindergarten for ages 18 months through 6 years. We cultivate compassion, community, and lifelong learning through authentic materials, outdoor exploration, bilingual (Spanish–English) immersion, agricultural appreciation, and global traditions
ABOUT US
Get to know Montessori & Me
Welcome to Montessori & Me Preschool and Kindergarten, where love and learning blossom together! We are more than a school we are a loving community where children, families, and educators at East Pasadena, CA, grow together in connection, kindness, and joy. Rooted in the beauty of nature and guided by the nurturing Montessori philosophy.
We have created a gentle, heart-centered space where children are truly seen, deeply respected, and joyfully supported. Here, learning flows naturally from curiosity and wonder, and every moment is an opportunity to explore, create, and connect.
Meals
Always Organic Plant-based Foods
Language
Spanish Language Program. Chinese Class.
Teachers
Experienced AMS Teachers
Small Classes
6:1 Ratio
Our Heartbeat
Where Love, Compassion, and Belonging Come First
The heartbeat of everything we do is simple: Love. We do not just teach kindness we embody it. Through modeling compassion, thoughtful listening, and deep respect for every individual child's unique needs, we help our students internalize these values. Before children can do great things, we believe they must learn how to be loving, empathetic children of our world.
250K+
Happy Little Learners
15+
Years of Excellence
20+
Dedicated Educators
100%
Nature-Based Learning
“Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world”
-Maria Montessori
“Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world”
-Maria Montessori
Our WHY
Why We Do What We Do: Returning to the Basics
In a fast-paced, digital world that often feels disconnected, frantic, and overwhelming, we believe it is more urgent than ever to protect the sanctity of early childhood. Our children do not need more screens or artificial stimulation; they need to get back to the beautiful basics of life.
We believe that the years between the ages of 0 and 6 are the most critical, foundational years of a human life. What takes root now shapes who they become later. We exist to anchor those roots in nature, simplicity, and love. By stepping away from the noise of the modern world and plugging back into the earth, children learn to actively experience and practice modeling kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. Our "Why" is to give children a safe, joyful space to embody the true meaning of character, ensuring they possess the resilience, empathy, and steady inner compass needed to navigate life in their later years.
our programs
Learning that grows with your child.
Toddler
Nurturing young minds through play, discovery, and meaningful first experiences.
Preschool
Building confidence, curiosity, and independence through hands-on learning.
Kindergarten
Preparing young minds with creativity, critical thinking, and confidence.
Being Joy & Being Happiness
Cultivating an inner state of delight, wonder, and gratitude that becomes a permanent part of who they are.
Balance with Nature
Living in rhythm with the earth, fresh air, and seasonal changes.
Academics in an Outdoor Classroom
Mastering math, language, and practical life skills using authentic Montessori materials and Reggio-inspired, child-led exploration under the open sky.
Culture & Global Awareness
Expanding perspectives through music, language, cooking, art and global traditions.
Emotional Intelligence
Developing self-awareness, empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution.
Safe Outdoor Freedom & Purposeful Play
Honoring each child's natural drive to explore, create, imagine, and discover boundaries.
Our Core Beliefs
The Art of Being: Joy, Happiness, and Balance
We believe that modeling kindness, love, compassion, listening, and thoughtfulness helps all the children learn how to embody the true meaning of what it means to be and then do. Our environment is intentionally designed to foster:
Learning Through Nature
Outdoor exploration becomes part of everyday discovery and growth.
Practical Life Skills
Confidence develops through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
Creative Expression
Art, music, storytelling, and movement inspire imagination.
What makes us different
Every Day Is Designed Around Your Child.
Our Montessori environment nurtures independence, curiosity, kindness, and confidence through meaningful experiences inspired.
The Power of a 6:1 Ratio
The Magic of Intimacy
Because we believe in listening deeply to what each individual child needs and wants, we intentionally keep our classroom small, maintaining an intimate 6:1 child-to-teacher ratio. This small-group setting provides invaluable benefits for your child’s formative years:
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True Individualized Learning
Our educators have the time to observe every child deeply, tailoring the Montessori materials to match their exact developmental pace, passions, and unique learning style.
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Deep Emotional Safety
A 6:1 ratio allows our teachers to actively model kindness and compassion in real-time. We are right by their side to co-regulate emotions, navigate conflicts gently, and nurture high emotional intelligence.
A True Village Feeling
In a small group, children form deep, meaningful bonds of friendship. Our classroom functions less like an institution and more like an extension of your own family.
Safe Outdoor Freedom:
Exploring nature, climbing, gardening, and cooking require careful, loving eyes. Our high adult presence ensures that children can safely take risks, test their physical boundaries, and explore with total confidence.
Our Curricular Pillars
Nature, Culture, and Agriculture
While we utilize traditional Montessori materials and Reggio inspired provocations to guide academic growth and creativity, our days are filled with vibrant, hands-on experiences of worldly and earthly discovery:
Seed to Table Gardening
Nurturing our school garden, tending to the soil, and experiencing the miracle of growing our own food.
Mindful Nutrition
We help children fall in love with real, whole foods fruits, vegetables, and the meals they help grow and prepare. Our snacks and meals are fresh, organic, and plant-based, much of it harvested from our own garden. Children learn where food comes from and build a joyful, lifelong love of nourishing their bodies.
Mindful Eating
By harvesting our own fruits and vegetables and enjoying them with our plant-based meals, children learn to eat mindfully, appreciate where food comes from, and build a vibrant lifelong relationship with nutrition.
Animal Care
Learning gentle responsibility and developing deep empathy by caring for our school animals.
Art & Science Exploration:
Discovering natural phenomena through hands-on science experiments and open-ended creative art inspired by the earth.
Cultural & Global Exploration
While we utilize traditional Montessori materials and Reggio inspired provocations to guide academic growth and creativity, our days are filled with vibrant, hands-on experiences of worldly and earthly discovery:
Bilingual Immersion (Spanish & English)
Children grow up in two languages naturally one teacher speaks only Spanish, another only English, all day long. No flashcards, no drills; just real, living language, the way children learn it best.
Rhythm & Movement
Feeling the heartbeat of the world through traditional African drumming and expressive outdoor dance.
Connected Field Trips
Taking family field trips that directly correlate with our classroom cultural studies, bringing our global lessons to life.
Cultural Art & Music
Introducing children to the vibrant creative expressions of diverse heritages. They explore global history and storytelling through hands-on cultural art projects, traditional music, learning about animals and environment.
Monthly Country Studies
Embarking on a global journey to explore a completely new country every month.
Cultural Cooking
Preparing traditional dishes from our monthly country studies, introducing children to global flavors and heritage.
Our Foundation
Built on commUNITY & Giving Back
True education extends beyond the classroom walls. We believe a strong connection within our school family is essential for all families. We act as a supportive village where parents and teachers walk hand-in-hand.
We also teach our children the profound joy of community involvement and how to give back to the neighborhood around us, ensuring they grow up understanding their power to make a positive impact.
