Child & Family Institute

The Child & Family Institute offers family programs in a prepared environment based on the teachings of Maria Montessori. The program takes place in a spiritual environment called “the Meadow,” where both parents and children experience the approach together. The Child & Family Institute describes itself as “A Magical Place Where Love Happens,” with programs that focus on families, create opportunities for joyful play, encourage rituals and traditions, and build a caring community, as a place where families grow together.

• Schedule: Hours: 9am-4pm Monday-Friday

The mission of the Child & Family Institute is to create and conduct family programs that nurture the growth of strong, loving, communicating families, and to be a place for families to discover and celebrate their wholeness and uniqueness in a playful, nondenominational, spiritual setting. The program shares a campus with Trinity School and Trinity Church, but is not affiliated with either program. The leadership and administrative team includes Director/Teacher Brooke Larkins; Bookkeeper Melissa Gordon; Office Manager Jeannie Sucre; Administrative Assistant Patti Fong; Meadow Teachers Marypat, Michelle, Amanda, Christy, Kendall, and Jane; Change Makers Leader Teacher Jane; Heart Voice Leaders Teacher Marion and Teacher Alison; and Co-Founders Josetta Walsh and Kris Goodrich. The 2025–2026 Board of Directors includes President Susie Frimel, Director Brooke Larkins, Christina Borchers, Rachael Bowman, Mariam Breeding, Melissa Gordon, Kristin Gray, Satra Hawkins, Margaret Hazelrig, and Katie Lee-Mohammed.

Last updated July 26, 2026.