Welcome
Joy while Learning
Little Acorn, Where Inspiration meets Montessori Program offers an AM/ PM and Full Day Toddler Program, Preschool, and TK Program! Our Programs are available 1 to 5 days a week, offering flexible options for busy families. Our Programs have the benefit of Montessori Lessons, Waldorf storytelling, and Reggio Emilia creativity. All Programs offer an Optional Spanish Immersion, and LOTS of body movement. This creates a loving and nurturing environment where children thrive. We cultivate a culture filled with friendship, creativity, and joy. These programs are from 8:30-12:30 or 12:30 to 5 or Full Day 8:30-12:30!
After School Tutoring for TK Kindergarten and Grades!
We are excited to share that we are now offering tutoring for older children here at Little Acorn! Little Acorn can come and pick up your child from school or you can drop off your child for two hours and your child will enjoy strengthening their reading and math skills and have fun while learning! Our tutoring hours are from 3PM to 5PM Daily!
Deep Dive into Our Infant, Preschool and TK Program!
Montessori
We embrace the Montessori philosophy here at Little Acorn, a Montessori Infant, Toddler Program, Preschool and TK in Rancho Bernardo, near 4S Ranch, Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Del Sur, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Mountain, and Poway, in San Diego, because it provides children with a holistic, hands-on learning experience. Montessori cultivates a deep sense of order and well-being by allowing children to learn through their bodies—engaging their senses of touch, movement, and weight—helping them absorb information naturally. This approach also fosters independence, focus, and problem-solving skills as children explore materials at their own pace, develop fine and gross motor coordination while encouraging cooperation, and community-building in a mixed-age setting. By following their interests, children develop intrinsic motivation and a love for learning, laying the foundation for creative thinking and future abstract reasoning.
Waldorf
Waldorf circle times are a wonderful complement to our Montessori curriculum here at Little Acorn, a Montessori Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and TK in Rancho Bernardo, near 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Mountain, and Poway, in San Diego. Waldorf puppet shows help children understand the importance of cultivating characters… being kind yet set boundaries with friends, developing patience, and practicing forgiveness. This ensures a happy and harmonious classroom where everyone is treated with respect and love. Teaching with stories has proven to be the most fun way in teaching character. The characters are vivid in the children’s imagination and the lessons the characters learn are vivid and this really helps the children to remember! This also strengthens the child’s ability to imagine and it also builds memory!
Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia is the perfect approach in guiding the curriculum. At Little Acorn, a Montessori Infant, Toddler Program, Preschool and TK in Rancho Bernardo, near 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Rancho Santa Fe, Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Carmel Mountain, and Poway, in San Diego, children’s interest become the vehicle in which lessons are delivered for the few who are not interested in the Montessori materials. This ignites interest. While learning addition, little bears are playing in the sand box and then more friends come to join! Often times there is a pizzeria where there are so many pizzas that keep getting added to the oven! And then there are always those trips to Lego Land where many families go in separate cars, each family having three members and now the children are skip counting happily and effortlessly!
Spanish Immersion!
Our lovely Ms. Susy is the most loving and caring teacher! Her skill set is broad and wide! She is the best Infant, Toddler teacher I have ever met and she is wonderful with the older children as well! Truly astounding! She teaches Montessori, Art and Spanish and is happy to create a Spanish Immersion experience for your child by only speaking Spanish to him or her!
NEW MINI Montessori Infant, Toddler, Preschool and TK!
We now offer a mini Toddler, Preschool, T/K session from 12:30-2:30 to help our local moms have some personal time! This Program offers your Toddler, Preschooler, or TK child an opportunity to play, create, learn and more! We offer open ended play time, art activities and personalized daily Montessori lessons with a Spanish circle time! Parents across Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Carmel Mountain, Del Sur, Poway, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Penasquitos and neighboring areas value our Mommy’s Helper program because it keeps children active and learning in a fun social environment that keeps their child off their devices.
Playing in Nature
We recognize the vital role that nature plays in a child’s development. Outdoor play provides children with opportunities to explore their environment, stimulating their senses and fostering creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. Nature also encourages physical activity, which strengthens both fine and gross motor skills, while promoting coordination and balance. Engaging with the natural world boosts emotional well-being, reduces stress, and cultivates a sense of wonder and appreciation for life. Through professionally supervised creative play in nature, children develop independence, social skills, and a connection to the world around them, all of which are essential for well-being.
Benefits of Montessori Mixed Age Groups
Mixed age groups foster a family environment where the big kids learn how to be compassionate and loving with the littlest ones. The littlest ones adore the bigger children and love to learn from them! Whether you live in 4S Ranch, Poway, Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, or Scripps Ranch and are searching for the best Montessori Infant, Toddler, Preschool, TK near me, your search ends here—you’ve just found it!
Hours of Operation:
- Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5 PM (Nap is optional!)
Importance of Body Movement
At the heart of Little Acorn’s philosophy is the belief that body movement is essential for children’s neurological development. Each day, we dedicate time to nurturing this development through engaging, full-body activities that the children love. Our circle times are designed with specific movements that actively engage both the brain and body in the learning process. By combining movement, music, and imagination, we create a dynamic learning environment where children absorb information naturally and joyfully. This holistic approach not only strengthens their ability to concentrate and focus but also fosters better listening skills—all while having a lot of fun! This makes our Montessori Infant, Toddler, Preschool and TK Exceptional!
