About
Montecito Preschool offers a free-choice activity hour, along with year-round drop-in care, summer camps, and holiday care when many public schools are closed. The program uses academic, emergent, developmental, and play-based learning, with children directing their own learning through curriculum planning and activities based on their interests, skills, and age. It provides a developmentally appropriate preschool experience for children two years of age through Kindergarten with flexible scheduling, and also caters to elementary children in K–5th grade.
• Ages: 2–11 years old
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Montecito Preschool has been in business for 60 years in Los Altos, with statements such as “60 Years of Teaching Children in Los Altos” and “Setting the Standard Since 1960.” The program is family owned, and the safety of children is listed as the number one priority. It is described as the Bay Area’s premier choice for early childhood development and education and caters to up to 350 families each year, including preschool-aged children (2–5 years old) and elementary children (K–5th).
The campus is described as a one-of-a-kind natural wonderland for children, with a natural setting that includes farm animals, gardens, and trees. The venue details include 2 gorgeous acres featuring century-old trees, lush gardens, playgrounds, forts, barnyard animals, and more, with 2-acre playgrounds, large classroom sizes, indoor and outdoor sinks, and open windows. The playgrounds and bike circle are used as outdoor classrooms, and the classroom design is described as stimulating and engaging, with all environments designed and built for children to feel safe and comfortable.
Montecito Preschool states that its developmental curriculum and natural environment provide steppingstones to prepare children for academic, social, and emotional success. The curriculum design and activities provide the building blocks for Kindergarten readiness, including Kindergarten Readiness assessments for each child. The program notes that it provides an academic setting that makes learning organic and fun, with curriculum built around each unique child’s needs and interests, and emphasizes nature-focused learning environments and culturally inclusive activities. Students are divided into developmentally appropriate groups and play/classroom areas.
The staff is described as a team of teachers and staff who are Early Childhood Experts, and teachers are described as enthusiastic, supportive, and loving. The leadership team includes Director Erin Mobley; administrators Dipali Prabhu and Tammy Franchi; and bookkeeper Michelle Von Jaeger. The program’s mission statement is: “It’s our mission to provide your little ones with an academic setting that makes learning organic and fun.”
Montecito Preschool states that it is committed to combatting institutional racism and teaching anti-bias, modeling love, inclusion and acceptance. It joins early education partners from Kinder Care and other preschools to the NAEYC and CAEYC, to the Department of Education and many others, to “Stand Strong” by continuing to provide programs and curriculum to the community, including teaching anti-bias and modeling love, inclusion and acceptance.
Testimonials include feedback from Santa Clara Community Care Licensing and County Health department representatives, who said, “Montecito’s 2-acre playgrounds, large classroom sizes, indoor and outdoor sinks, and open windows makes your school ‘IDEAL’ for healthy preschools in the Bay Area!” One Montecito parent said, “My son attended this school for 2 years. He loved it and the teachers were great. The atmosphere is beautiful. It is a play-based school with a lot of outside time and time to be creative.” Another parent, Katie B., said, “Montecito has been my family's home for the past 3 years. My oldest daughter went here for 3 years and my youngest is in her 2nd year here, and we love it.” A parent identified as C.B. said, “If you are looking for a play-based preschool with a great outdoor space, look no further! Our child loves the large bike area, wide range of well-planned activities, and all of the animals.” Another parent, Nus. S., described it as the “Best play-based preschool and staff in the bay area!!!!”
Last updated June 19, 2026.
• Ages: 2–11 years old
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Montecito Preschool has been in business for 60 years in Los Altos, with statements such as “60 Years of Teaching Children in Los Altos” and “Setting the Standard Since 1960.” The program is family owned, and the safety of children is listed as the number one priority. It is described as the Bay Area’s premier choice for early childhood development and education and caters to up to 350 families each year, including preschool-aged children (2–5 years old) and elementary children (K–5th).
The campus is described as a one-of-a-kind natural wonderland for children, with a natural setting that includes farm animals, gardens, and trees. The venue details include 2 gorgeous acres featuring century-old trees, lush gardens, playgrounds, forts, barnyard animals, and more, with 2-acre playgrounds, large classroom sizes, indoor and outdoor sinks, and open windows. The playgrounds and bike circle are used as outdoor classrooms, and the classroom design is described as stimulating and engaging, with all environments designed and built for children to feel safe and comfortable.
Montecito Preschool states that its developmental curriculum and natural environment provide steppingstones to prepare children for academic, social, and emotional success. The curriculum design and activities provide the building blocks for Kindergarten readiness, including Kindergarten Readiness assessments for each child. The program notes that it provides an academic setting that makes learning organic and fun, with curriculum built around each unique child’s needs and interests, and emphasizes nature-focused learning environments and culturally inclusive activities. Students are divided into developmentally appropriate groups and play/classroom areas.
The staff is described as a team of teachers and staff who are Early Childhood Experts, and teachers are described as enthusiastic, supportive, and loving. The leadership team includes Director Erin Mobley; administrators Dipali Prabhu and Tammy Franchi; and bookkeeper Michelle Von Jaeger. The program’s mission statement is: “It’s our mission to provide your little ones with an academic setting that makes learning organic and fun.”
Montecito Preschool states that it is committed to combatting institutional racism and teaching anti-bias, modeling love, inclusion and acceptance. It joins early education partners from Kinder Care and other preschools to the NAEYC and CAEYC, to the Department of Education and many others, to “Stand Strong” by continuing to provide programs and curriculum to the community, including teaching anti-bias and modeling love, inclusion and acceptance.
Testimonials include feedback from Santa Clara Community Care Licensing and County Health department representatives, who said, “Montecito’s 2-acre playgrounds, large classroom sizes, indoor and outdoor sinks, and open windows makes your school ‘IDEAL’ for healthy preschools in the Bay Area!” One Montecito parent said, “My son attended this school for 2 years. He loved it and the teachers were great. The atmosphere is beautiful. It is a play-based school with a lot of outside time and time to be creative.” Another parent, Katie B., said, “Montecito has been my family's home for the past 3 years. My oldest daughter went here for 3 years and my youngest is in her 2nd year here, and we love it.” A parent identified as C.B. said, “If you are looking for a play-based preschool with a great outdoor space, look no further! Our child loves the large bike area, wide range of well-planned activities, and all of the animals.” Another parent, Nus. S., described it as the “Best play-based preschool and staff in the bay area!!!!”
Last updated June 19, 2026.
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