Why Montessori May Be the Preschool Alternative You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’re searching online for a preschool or daycare in West Des Moines, you’re likely looking for a place with low teacher-to-child ratios, strong parent reviews, flexible hours, and high-quality early education. At Montessori Children’s House, we check all of those boxes—and offer something even more powerful: a time-tested educational approach that nurtures your child’s independence, curiosity, and love of learning.
What Sets Montessori Apart from Traditional Daycare or Preschool?
Montessori isn’t just a classroom style—it’s an entirely different way of seeing your child. Instead of a one-size-fits-all schedule, children in our classrooms follow their own interests, moving through subjects at their own pace. One child might be exploring letter sounds while another is reading sight words. Each material builds on the next, allowing children to deepen their understanding when they’re ready, not when the clock says it’s time.
The hallmark of a Montessori classroom is the three-hour uninterrupted work cycle, giving students the time to fully engage with what excites them. It’s not free-for-all play—it’s purposeful, hands-on exploration with real materials that are carefully prepared by experienced teachers.
A Curriculum Rooted in Real-Life Skills and Respect
Montessori classrooms are designed to support children in the sensitive periods of development—from toddlerhood to early elementary. Everything in the classroom is intentional. Teachers are constantly observing and adjusting the environment to meet each child’s developmental needs. The materials aren’t plastic toy versions—they’re real tools and objects that connect learning to everyday life.
You’ll find six core areas of the Montessori curriculum:
Practical Life – pouring, folding, cleaning, and care of self and environment
Sensorial – refining the senses through sorting, grading, and matching
Language – phonics, vocabulary, and early reading
Math – concrete materials that make abstract concepts visible
Cultural – geography, science, and global studies
Creative – music, movement, and artistic expression
Teachers Who Stay—and Grow—with Your Family
Montessori teachers at MCH are deeply experienced, with many staying 10+ years. Unlike daycare centers where staff can rotate frequently, most MCH teachers remain with the same group of children for up to three years, forming meaningful relationships with both children and families. Many of our families return with younger siblings to be placed in the same classroom team.
This consistency is more than convenient—it’s a powerful way to foster trust, stability, and deeper learning.
More Than Competitive Tuition—It’s Exceptional Value
Montessori Children’s House offers tuition that is comparable to area preschools and daycares, but with the added value of a child-centered education led by certified Montessori teachers. Families also benefit from:
Full-day schedules with before and after care options
Summer enrichment programs that continue the Montessori experience
A calm, respectful learning environment that builds confidence and emotional intelligence
What Parents Notice After Switching to Montessori
Families who transition from daycare or traditional preschool to Montessori consistently say they’re amazed by how independent, confident, and curious their child becomes. With multi-age classrooms, younger children learn through peer modeling while older children develop leadership and empathy. Instead of competition, Montessori nurtures intrinsic motivation—children are proud of their progress because it belongs to them.
If you’ve been searching for a place where your child will be seen, supported, and inspired every day—Montessori Children’s House might be the school you didn’t know you were looking for.
