Ages 2–3 are the most consequential developmental years of a child's life. Montessori Academy's toddler program is built entirely around the sensitive periods that define this window — language, independence, and movement. Open 7 AM–6 PM year-round across all three campuses.
Director's Welcome
"Traditional daycares often treat toddlers as children who just need to be kept safe until they are old enough to learn. At Montessori Academy, we recognize ages 2 to 3 as the most explosive period of cognitive development in a human life," says Ruhi Khan, Director of Montessori Academy. "Whether transitioning from our Nido infant environment at Downey, or joining us for the first time in Culver City or West Adams, our toddler program is a meticulously prepared environment designed for rapid language acquisition and practical independence."
2
Minimum age (CC & WA)
1:5
Teacher-to-child ratio
40+
Years of Montessori education
3
Campuses serving toddlers
Core Principle
The three-hour work cycle is the foundation of the Montessori toddler day. Children choose activities from the prepared environment — practical life, sensorial, early language, early math, art — and work at their own pace until concentration is fully satisfied. Research shows this builds executive function and intrinsic motivation measurably faster than adult-directed rotation schedules.
Language Immersion
Dr. Montessori identified ages 2–3 as the most powerful sensitive period for language acquisition in human development. Montessori Academy's toddler program exploits this window with daily immersive language instruction woven into every activity, giving your child a massive vocabulary advantage before entering our primary program.
Flexible Enrollment
Montessori Academy's toddler program runs year-round, 7 AM to 6 PM at all three campuses. Families choose full-time (5 days) or part-time (any 3 days, or half-days). No school-year-only enrollment — the prepared environment stays open and staffed every week of the year, giving working families real flexibility without compromising program consistency.
Potty Training
All three Montessori Academy campuses accept children who are not yet toilet independent. The Montessori practical life curriculum is one of the most effective potty training supports available — children in our mixed-age classroom environments see older peers practicing independence and are naturally motivated to follow. Teachers collaborate with families to adjust the pace to each child with no arbitrary deadlines.
Financial Assistance & Subsidies
For families in Los Angeles County, navigating childcare funding can be complex. While public programs like California State Preschool Program (CSPP), General Child Care (CCTR), and Head Start have strict income ceilings and often multi-year waitlists, our Downey campus partners directly with alternative voucher programs.
Montessori Academy Downey is a fully licensed provider accepting MAOF (Mexican American Opportunity Foundation) subsidies and CalWORKs childcare vouchers. This allows eligible families to access premium, private Montessori education with meals included, bypassing the typical waitlists of state-run facilities.
Learn about Downey subsidiesMontessori Science
Montessori Academy's toddler teachers are trained observers of child development. Here are the core concepts that govern every decision in the toddler classroom.
A timed developmental window when the brain is especially receptive to a specific skill. Ages 2–3 is the most concentrated sensitive period in human development — for language, order, and fine motor control.
Every shelf, mat, and material in the toddler classroom is placed at child height and sequenced from simple to complex — designed to invite independence and eliminate frustration.
Real-world activities — pouring water, peeling fruit, folding cloth, buttoning shirts — build fine motor control, concentration, and independence while satisfying the toddler's drive to do things for themselves.
An uninterrupted block of child-directed work that allows toddlers to follow concentration to its natural conclusion. Researchers link this to significantly better executive function by age 5.
When toddlers advance to the primary (3–6) classroom, they enter a mixed-age group. Younger children model from older peers; older children reinforce their own learning by helping younger ones.
Dr. Montessori's foundational concept: children from birth to age 6 absorb language, culture, and values effortlessly and unconsciously from their surrounding environment — no formal instruction required.
Typical Day
The three-hour work cycle is never rushed. Children choose, concentrate, and repeat — building the attention span and intrinsic motivation that researchers link to long-term academic success.
Children self-check in, hang up bags, wash hands independently. Practical life begins immediately from the moment of arrival.
Children choose activities from the prepared environment — practical life, sensorial, early language, early math, art. Work at their own pace, uninterrupted.
Children prepare and serve their own snack. Teachers lead vocabulary-rich conversation in English and the campus language (Mandarin/Spanish/French/Tagalog).
Private parking lot playground, garden activities, nature exploration. Supervised gross motor development in a safe outdoor environment.
Packed lunch (all campuses) or catered meals (Downey only). Children practice serving themselves, cleaning up, and polite table conversation.
All campuses have nap facilities. Non-nappers engage in quiet independent activity. No child is forced to sleep.
Second uninterrupted work period. Optional enrichment classes (yoga, dance, gym via Webby — additional cost) take place during this window.
Supervised play, books, and activities until pickup. No overtime fees for full-time enrolled families.
The Path Forward
The toddler program at Montessori Academy is the foundational stepping stone to our mixed-age Primary program (ages 3–6). Unlike traditional settings where children transfer to a separate, crowded public TK (Transitional Kindergarten) program at age 4, our students remain in their continuous Montessori environment through Kindergarten.
When parents compare Montessori vs. Public TK, the continuity of care is a major factor. Our toddlers move up to the primary room already possessing advanced executive function, practical life skills, and a foundation in phonics, allowing them to excel immediately in the 3–6 age grouping.
Our Campuses
Same core curriculum. Campus-specific differences that matter when choosing your location.
5881 Green Valley Cir, Culver City, CA 90230
4449 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
7515 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA 90241
Toddler from 6 weeks · Meals included · MAOF acceptedParents comparing Montessori Academy with traditional daycare and public programs like Head Start or Public TK ask the same questions. Here's a direct comparison.
| Feature | Montessori Academy Toddler Program | Typical LA Daycare / Public Program |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher-to-child ratio | 1:5 (1:4 at Downey) | 1:8–1:12 (state minimum) |
| Curriculum framework | AMI/AMS Montessori | Varies / no standard |
| Language immersion | Daily Mandarin + Spanish | English only (typical) |
| Three-hour work cycle | Yes — uninterrupted | 30-min rotations |
| Potty training required | Not required | Often required first |
| 7 AM – 6 PM year-round | Yes, all campuses | Varies |
| Waitlist | No waitlist | Often 6–18 months |
| Subsidies Accepted | MAOF, CalWORKs (Downey) | CSPP, CCTR (often full) |
| Transition to Primary/TK | Same campus — no transfer | Separate K school transfer |
Comparison based on publicly available information for Los Angeles County childcare providers, July 2026.
Parent Voices
"My daughter started at Montessori Academy Culver City at just turned 2. I was nervous — she'd never been in any group setting. Within two weeks she was asking to go back on weekends. The toddler room is calm, structured, and the teachers are endlessly patient."
Culver City campus · Reviewed on October 12, 2025
"West Adams campus is a gem. My son was 26 months when we enrolled him in the toddler program. They didn't rush potty training, they worked with us, and he transitioned to the primary classroom at 3 completely ready. I cannot say enough good things."
West Adams campus · Reviewed on July 18, 2025
"Our twin boys have been in the Downey toddler program since they were 18 months. The meal included, the MAOF subsidy, and the Montessori approach — it's everything we needed. The staff know my boys' personalities better than most family members."
Downey campus · Reviewed on January 5, 2026
Enrollment
No waitlist. Many families start within days of their first contact.
1
Call, email, or use the online form. In-person, Zoom, or drop-in family day available — your choice.
2
Tour the toddler classroom, meet the teachers, and let your child explore the prepared environment.
3
Enrollment forms, health records, emergency contacts. Registration fee: $100. Deposit: $300.
4
Full-time (5 days) or part-time (any 3 days or half-days). No waiting, no long application delays.
No waitlist. No long application. Tour the campus, meet the teachers, and your child could be in their toddler program this week.