Most families at our Downey campus pay through the MAOF childcare voucher program. Montessori Academy Downey is a licensed MAOF provider — ages 6 weeks through 3rd grade, 7 AM–6 PM year-round.
MAOF stands for the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. It is one of the largest Latino nonprofits in California and serves as an administrator for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) childcare subsidy programs in Los Angeles County.
In plain terms: MAOF distributes government childcare vouchers to qualifying working families in LA County. If you qualify, MAOF pays your childcare provider (Montessori Academy Downey, in this case) directly — most or all of your tuition is covered, depending on your income and family size.
Many families in the Downey, South Gate, Compton, Norwalk, and surrounding communities qualify for MAOF subsidies but don’t realize they can use them at a Montessori school. You can. Montessori Academy Downey is a licensed MAOF childcare provider.
The first step is a phone call, not a form. Call us at (562) 291-2324 — we can confirm current availability, explain the enrollment process, and help you understand whether you’re likely to qualify before you invest time in an application.
MAOF at a Glance
Eligibility
Eligibility is based on a combination of factors. Here’s what matters most.
Income limits for a family of 4 are approximately $72,000–$96,000/yr (varies by program year). Exact limits vary by program — call us and we’ll help you understand your situation.
MAOF may request additional documents. We recommend calling us first so we can walk you through what’s needed before you gather everything.
How It Works
Before applying to MAOF, call us at (562) 291-2324 or email veronica@montessori-academy.com. We’ll confirm current openings and walk you through the subsidy process. We do this regularly — it takes 10 minutes.
You don’t have to tour before applying, but most families find it helpful. You can do an in-person tour, a Zoom tour, or a family drop-in day where your child plays with classmates. We want you to feel confident about your choice before you commit.
Submit your application and supporting documents to MAOF. Contact MAOF at (562) 692-8196 or visit their office at 6606 Flotilla St, Commerce, CA 90040. We can provide a referral letter and enrollment confirmation to support your application.
Once approved, MAOF issues a childcare voucher specifying your approved hours and any co-payment amount. This is provided directly to us. Many families receive approval within 2–4 weeks of submitting a complete application.
With your voucher in hand, we complete enrollment paperwork, collect the registration deposit, and set your child’s start date. For infants (6 weeks+), we’ll schedule an orientation to the infant room. For toddlers and preschoolers, we do a gentle transition period.
Your child starts at Montessori Academy Downey. MAOF pays us directly for their care. If there is a co-payment, it is billed monthly at a reduced rate. Most families on MAOF pay $0–$150/month in co-payment or nothing at all.
The Downey Campus
Montessori Academy Downey is our most comprehensive campus — and the only one that accepts infants from 6 weeks. It’s also the primary campus where MAOF subsidies are used, meaning the enrollment process and subsidy coordination are handled regularly by our team.
Meals are included. Spanish, French, and Tagalog are taught daily. Year-round operation means no summer gap in care or learning.
Downey campus detailsCommunities Served
LA County Childcare Subsidy Programs
LA County has multiple childcare subsidy programs administered by different agencies. MAOF is the most common for families in the Downey area — but it’s worth understanding all your options.
| Program | Administered by | Ages | Available at MA Downey? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAOF Childcare Subsidy General Child Care & CSPP vouchers via MAOF |
Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) | 0–13 years | ✓ Yes — primary model |
| CCTR General Child Care & Development Program |
California CDSS — administered by local R&R agencies | 0–13 years | Ask us — varies by contract |
| CSPP California State Preschool Program |
California CDSS / CDOE | 3–5 years (income eligible) | Ask us — varies by contract |
| CalWORKs Childcare Welfare-to-work childcare |
LA County DPSS | 0–13 years (CalWORKs recipients) | Ask us |
| Head Start / Early Head Start Federal early childhood program |
US Dept of Health & Human Services (local grantees) | 0–5 years (income eligible) | Not applicable — separate program |
If you’re unsure which program you qualify for, call us at (562) 291-2324 — we work with MAOF regularly and can help you navigate your options.
Why Montessori Academy
You have a choice of licensed MAOF providers in the Downey area. Here’s what makes Montessori Academy different.
Every teacher at Montessori Academy Downey holds AMS, AMI, or NAMTA Montessori certification. Your child receives a genuine Montessori education — not childcare supervision. Why it matters →
MAOF covers infant care. Most Montessori schools start at age 2. Montessori Academy Downey starts at 6 weeks — with a 1:4 infant ratio and daily Spanish, French, and Tagalog.
MAOF covers year-round care. Our Downey campus is open 50 weeks a year, 7 AM–6 PM Monday through Friday. No summer scramble, no holiday coverage problem.
Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are included at our Downey campus. This is unique to Downey — our Culver City and West Adams campuses do not include meals. For working families, this matters.
Common Questions
Open Enrollment · MAOF Accepted
Our Downey team handles MAOF enrollments regularly. Call us, and we’ll tell you exactly what to expect — before you invest time in an application.