Marin Preschool Guide

Corte Madera's Magical Garden Preschool is a small preschool that offers a Waldorf-inspired curriculum in the warmth of a home setting. We asked Magical Garden's owner and teacher, Lori Callies, to tell us more about her school, its programs, and what makes it special.

You can learn about Magical Garden Preschool online at www.magicalgardenpreschool.com or by calling (415) 945-9409,

Please describe your school's educational philosophy. What's it all about?

Magical Garden’s philosophy takes root in the Waldorf movement and expands into best practices of early childhood education with a university-trained, credentialed teacher. We believe that the foundations of childhood are Imaginations, Friendships and Early Skills. We address age-appropriate skills through the relentless joy that Pretending can bring. Eco-education is embedded in our curriculum. We are proud to be certified as the first Eco-Healthy Preschool & Child Care in Marin by the Children’s Environmental Health Network.

What does a typical day at your school entail?

The Kid’s Place of Novato is a Reggio-inspired school with sister campuses in Corte Madera and San Anselmo. It's located at 84 Martin Drive in Novato's Hamilton neighborhood. Their annual Fall Carnival and Open House takes place on Friday, October 28, from 4 to 7 pm.

We asked the staff at the Kid's Place of Novato to tell us about the programs offered at their campus. For more information on the Kid's Place, visit www.kidsplaceofmarin.com or call (415) 884-0594.

Please describe your school’s educational philosophy. What’s it all about?

Kid’s Place schools are Reggio inspired preschools, where we create an environment that fosters curiosity, wonder, discovery and the potential to grow through stimulating age-appropriate programs, learning materials and healthy social interactions. The curriculum focuses on activities that are success-oriented and instill a positive sense of self-esteem. This environment is essential in promoting awareness and responsibility for self, family, friends, and community.

Southern Novato parents—the City of Novato is starting a new affordable, fun, and educational Pre-K program in Hamilton! Taking place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9–11:30 am at the Hamilton Community Center, Hamilton Pre-K offers a healthy balance of play and academics to stimulate social, emotional, and educational growth. The program will be taught by California credentialed teachers who have preschool and elementary school experience, and are knowledgeable in Novato Unified School District curriculum and standards and will offer necessary preparation for kindergarten.

Teachers will monitor and evaluate growth and Kindergarten readiness, while maintaining a loving and playful environment and utilizing the Positive Discipline strategies they are certified in. The program will combine both academic and play-based activities, and teachers will assess and monitor growth and provide parent/teacher conferences so that parents can be aware of exactly where they child is in their development.

Located in southern Novato, Montessori for Toddlers offers a small-group preschool experience for children aged 18 months–3 ½ years, where children are encouraged to explore their interests in a peaceful home environment, prepared with inviting and challenging materials. Montessori for Toddlers is located at 20 Pacific Drive in Novato. For more information, visit their website at www.montessorfortoddlers.com or call (415) 883-2445.

We asked Montessori for Toddlers founder, director, and head teacher Terese Bradshaw to tell us about her school and what it offers parents and children.

Describe your school’s educational philosophy. What’s it all about?

Montessori for Toddlers is a unique in-home Montessori program for children 18 months–3 ½ years of age. The classroom is a rich educational setting, filled with hands-on activities for this critical age of development. Young children are encouraged to explore their interests in a peaceful home environment, prepared with inviting and challenging materials.

What does a typical day at your school entail?