Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Montessori Preschool in Madison, WI
Montessori Children's House has been nurturing young minds in Madison since 1964, established through a community initiative to bring authentic Montessori education to the region. As Madison's first Montessori school and a verified member of the American Montessori Society, we maintain a steadfast commitment to Dr. Maria Montessori's principles of fostering independence and lifelong learning. Our parent-led Board of Directors prioritizes community building, ensuring a collaborative environment where children, families, and staff thrive together. With state licensing and decades of accreditation, our programs for children aged 18 months to 6 years emphasize self-directed learning, practical life skills, and outdoor exploration. Our directors practice servant leadership, cultivating professional growth among our AMS- and AMI-certified teaching staff.The prepared classroom environments feature multi-sensory materials that progress from concrete to abstract concepts in mathematics, language, and cultural studies. We maintain small class sizes to ensure personalized attention and meaningful connections between families, educators, and students. The school's non-profit status ensures all resources directly support educational excellence rather than profit motives. Our extensive outdoor learning spaces provide unique opportunities for discovery and physical development. From initial tours through alumni engagement, we strive to create lasting educational partnerships with families seeking developmentally appropriate early childhood programs.
Services
Toddler Program
Preschool Program
Kindergarten Program
Summer Program
Alumni Program
Details
- Year established: 1964
Highlights and features
- We are Madison's first Montessori school established in 1964
- Our parent-led governance ensures community-focused decision making
- All classrooms have AMS or AMI certified Montessori teachers
- We maintain a large outdoor environment for active exploration
- Our servant leadership model supports professional development for staff
Associations and certifications
- American Montessori Society
- City of Madison Accreditation
What people say
Genuine love of learning
Nurturing community
Authentic Montessori
Outdoor learning
Dedicated staff
Services
Toddler Program
Our Toddler Program nurtures independence in children aged 18-36 months through carefully prepared environments. Certified Montessori educators guide sensory-based learning experiences that develop motor skills, language acquisition, and social interaction. The curriculum emphasizes practical life activities and outdoor exploration to build foundational cognitive connections.
Preschool Program
The Preschool Program serves children aged 3-6 with individualized learning paths using authentic Montessori materials. Multi-sensory math, language, and cultural materials progress from concrete to abstract understanding. Daily outdoor activities and conflict resolution practices develop holistic readiness for future academic success.
Kindergarten Program
Our Kindergarten Program extends Montessori principles through advanced concept mastery in mathematics, literacy, and scientific thinking. Children engage in extended work cycles that build concentration and self-discipline. The curriculum integrates geography, history, and environmental science through hands-on learning experiences.
Summer Program
The Summer Program maintains Montessori continuity through outdoor-focused learning experiences. Children participate in gardening, nature studies, and extended outdoor exploration while maintaining core Montessori practices. The program serves enrolled families and select new participants during summer months.
Alumni Program
Our Alumni Program provides summer continuation for graduating students transitioning to traditional elementary schools. The curriculum maintains Montessori principles while introducing elementary-level concepts in mathematics, language arts, and cultural studies through hands-on learning experiences.
People
Jim
Director
Director Jim practices servant leadership principles to cultivate staff development and maintain educational excellence at Montessori Children's House since the 1970s.
Laura
Director
Director Laura implements servant leadership strategies to support teaching staff and maintain authentic Montessori practices at the preschool since the 1970s.
Questions
What ages does MCH serve?
We enroll children aged 18 months through 5 years, with a summer alumni program for transitioning elementary students.
Is MCH a licensed preschool?
Yes, we maintain state licensing and have held City of Madison accreditation since our founding in 1964.
What Montessori credentials do your teachers hold?
All classrooms have teachers certified by either the American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
How does MCH involve parents?
As a parent-board run institution, we encourage family participation through governance, classroom volunteering, and community events.
What outdoor learning opportunities exist?
Our extensive outdoor environment features dedicated spaces for gardening, nature exploration, and physical development activities.
Is MCH a non-profit organization?
Yes, we operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with all resources directly supporting educational programs and facility improvements.
