Montessori for Toddlers

Montessori for Toddlers offers hands-on early learning activities, including art and culture projects using a variety of mediums, sensorial materials that develop sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound, and practical life work such as cleaning, pouring, and flower arranging. Children take part in Circle Time with songs, poems, books, rhythm, and musical instruments, and they explore early math and science concepts like geometry, counting, animal life cycles, physics, and toddler-appropriate science. The program also includes outdoor play, nature discovery, outdoor yoga, rhythm dance, social connection, library time, STEM or science discovery, and discovering insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds around the outdoor play space.

• Ages: 1–4 years old
• Schedule: Half-day options Monday–Friday 9:00 am–12:30 pm and full-day options Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–3:30 pm

Montessori for Toddlers was established in 1989. The program offers a small group experience for children 18 months to 4 years in one small cozy classroom in a home in a quiet neighborhood, with a peaceful home environment prepared with inviting and challenging materials and a rich outdoor play space. The environment is described by the program as beautifully prepared, both inside the classroom and out in the garden, and as safe, orderly, nurturing, and inviting.

The mission of Montessori for Toddlers is to provide open communication that includes parent conferences and educational evenings, work closely with parents to support a healthy separation experience, and teach students through hands-on, individualized experiences. The mission also states that the program aims to instill in students a love of learning, recognize and appreciate the unique personality, support the child’s desire to be independent, and provide a beautifully prepared environment inside and out in the garden that is safe, orderly, nurturing, and inviting. A phrase used in the program to reflect this focus on independence is “I did it myself, Terese!”

The leadership team includes Directress and founder Terese Bradshaw at Montessori for Toddlers, Head Teacher Lori Picardi in the classroom, Assistant Teacher Connie Blake at MFT, and Summer Intern Moira Dolan at MFT. Terese Bradshaw received a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from San Francisco State University, completed Montessori Training at Pacific Coast Montessori School in 1989, is a Certified Positive Discipline Trainer, leads workshops in Positive Discipline for many local preschool staff, and holds a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the California State Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Lori Picardi received a bachelor’s degree in General Design from San Jose State University, completed the Montessori and Positive Discipline online courses, and completed the Infant and Child CPR and First Aid Certificate. Connie Blake completed the Infant and Child CPR and First Aid Certificate.

Montessori for Toddlers holds California State License #214200027. Terese Bradshaw leads workshops in Positive Discipline for many local preschool staff.

Parent testimonials describe Montessori for Toddlers as a place where children have thrived and as a loving and enriching environment for their children, with several parents stating they are grateful or appreciative of the school. One parent notes that both of their kids went to Terese Montessori and are thriving at their schools, and describes the fundamentals learned there as “the best in Novato” and the school as “by far one of the best in Novato,” while also noting that it is small and “great for ages 2–3.5 or a kids that needs that small class.” Another parent, who is a 2nd grade teacher, states that Terese is “truly an expert in the field of education” and that in their search, no other preschool matched the quality of this program. A parent describes the classroom as one small cozy classroom in a home in a quiet neighborhood and calls it a perfect transition into school that was not intimidating and where their daughter would get the attention she was used to at home. Another parent notes that Terese and Lori have great communication with parents, are quick to respond to emails, update parents through back-to-school nights or parent-teacher conferences, and post pictures on the classroom website.

Last updated June 26, 2026.