Montessori Child Development Center

Poway, United States

4.8

Closed now

12 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

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Telephone:
+1 858-748-1727
Website:
www.mcdcpoway.com
Address:
14911 Espola Rd, Poway, CA, 92064
b/t Golden Sunset Ln & Durhullen Dr
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Accepts Credit Cards
Yes

Today

Today 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Poway) 7:11 PM Thursday, June 19, 2025

Business hours

Monday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Founded in 1978, M.C.D.C. is an authentic Montessori Program for children 3 years old through Kindergarten. A wonderful learning environment in a farm-​like setting. Children learn to respect nature and each other while getting a foundation in reading, writing, math, science and geography.

Academic education cannot stand alone, it must be complimented with creativity, security, social graces, empathy, physical fitness and them comes «The Joy of Leaning».

Little Hands Montessori-​A Toddler Home is available next door for 18 to 36 month old children to get a head-​start.

History

Established in 1978.

MCDC began when Poway had yet to become a city. The area was open and rural. Though there have been new homes built in the area we are able to maintain the rural feeling and homey atmosphere that attracted us to this area. The trees have grown larger and we have grown older and wiser and our kids have kids. We are thrilled to have children of our alumni joining us as students. It is like having grand-​students.

Over the years we have had families who brought their children to us from as far away as Valley Center or Oceanside and as close as walking distance. Our students continue to come back for visits as they grow up and remember their roots.

MCDC remains exciting and vibrant part of the Poway community and we are honored to continue serving families in the area and beyond.

Meet the Manager

Marijane S.

Manager

Marijane Schafer is the co-​founder and director of the Montessori Child Development Center, a non-​profit Corporation. Marijane received her BA from Olivet College in Michigan with a Major in Psychology. After receiving her BA she entered the Montessori Training Program in Chicago and received her certification as a primary, 3 – 6, Montessori teacher in 1972, from the American Montessori Society.

Ms. Schafer then taught at St. Claire Shores Montessori School in the Detroit area then Santa Fe Montessori in Southern CA for the first 6 years of her Montessori career.

She is married and has a daughter and 3 grandchildren.

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12 reviews of Montessori Child Development Center

No registration required
Place rating: 2
Avenel, NJ
Please do not waste money on this school. All reviews are paid reviews. Don’t get conned by these emotionless and stone-​hearted so called teachers and staff
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Our children have been going to MCDC for the past 3 years and our experience has been nothing but wonderful. We see our kids thriving in so many ways; from social interactions, manners, self-​esteem, math, writing, reading, art and science. Our children look forward to going to such a caring and loving environment every morning.
MCDC is a true Montessori school with great staff and facilities. The head teachers in both MCDC classrooms and Little Hands are top notch and communication with teachers and staff is very easy. They offer after day programs and a summer camp with swim lessons as well; both are excellent. In addition, they have many other events throughout the year — a holiday and a spring sing, father’s and a mother’s nights, which are our favorite since we get to see our kids work with the Montessori material. They also host parent educational nights where you can meet other parents and learn more about the Montessori method.
There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer, which gives the school a great feel of community. All the families that we have met here have been so nice. We really hope we can keep friendships made here for years to come.
We believe having our kids at MCDC has been a great investment. I would suggest checking their website and graduation videos.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
We recently moved to AZ but in the time we spend with MCDC and LHM, our family had an amazing experience. Our son, two years old, thrived at LHM. He looked forward to «work» time each morning and had a big smile on his face when I picked him up each day. The staff is friendly but more importantly they are passionate about our children’s growth and education. They CARE… it shows they care.
Our son’s teachers were outstanding but Ms. Nuccia stood out as a complete blessing to have in our son’s life. She really took and invested interest in our son’s development. She loves what she does and it showed every day when working with our son.
I would highly recommend this school to any family as a exceptional learning and development environment for your child (ren).
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Every child deserves a nurturing environment to learn and specially in the early formative years! MCDC and LHM provide just that and more. The teachers at both LHM and MCDC are dedicated to the wholesome growth and development of the kids. The focus is on helping the kids become self reliant, curious, confident and happy individuals. The environment is enriching with beautiful shaded trees, HUGE play area, veggie garden that kids tend to, farm animals and a pool!
Yes, every kid will graduate knowing their math and reading (that seems to be the mass concern unfortunately!). What they will carry on for the rest of their lives is much much more and beyond academical distinctions.
We are watching both our kids grow and thrive with these wonderful teachers and a fantastic school. So fortunate to be a part of the MCDC/​LHM family!
Place rating: 5
San Marcos, CA
My daughter has been attending MCDC for the past couple of years and we all love it. The teachers are all wonderful and completely supportive of the students. My daughter has grown and learned so much in the past couple of years. I love that she gets to be an environment that has a garden, farm animals, and plenty of outdoor time.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
We first met the folks at MCDC about a year ago when a friend recommended it. The teachers instantly drew us in. They were so friendly and engaged. You really see that for each staff member, it is their calling to awaken kids and set their foundations for life. The environment is perfect for the job, an idyllic ranch, organic garden, farm animals, a cozy school, a place where our kids are at home. My son has just blossomed in their care. So much so that I enrolled my 3 year-​old in Little Hands shortly thereafter. And the summer program is amazing, my son was swimming within a few weeks! We feel very fortunate to have the MCDC and LHM team on our side. They are absolutely partners in raising our kids and we couldn’t imagine doing it without them. My 3 year old often cries when leaving now he loves it there so much. This is more than a school, it is a community.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
As parents of two boys, my wife and I wanted to get them into a good educational program. Not just any school however, so we searched for quite a while and interviewed many a class/​teacher/​curriculum. What we saw at MCDC made us come back for a 2nd visit and after having compared we felt this would be a good fit. We liked the open classrooms and the structured but free form lessons. We liked that the kids were encouraged to interact under the watchful eyes of their teachers, learn about their classmates cultures and customs and even conduct presentations in front of their classmates. This is great for a 3 year old. What we saw of his changes in behaviour and manners we liked even more. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a wild and rambunctious child, but we’re seeing the effects of educational instruction, on his counting, alphabet, and curiousity. They have been patient with his headstrong manner and have managed to get through without breaking his spirit. Ms. Vanit, his primary teacher has a great joy for teaching that comes through when she talks about the lesson plans. They encourage what seems to be a well rounded learning method that conveys lectures through activity and movement. Our son has allergies and they have been outstanding with working with us for his dietary needs. Ms. Katie, Ms. Rachael, and Ms. Maureen have all been very accommodating. We plan on sending our 2nd boy there as well.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
My son has gone to MCDC for a few years and I can say nothing but wonderful things about the facility and teachers. The school is located off of Espola road and very easy to get to. The class sizes are small and the children get lots of individual attention. They do an excellent job at teaching the children grace, courtesy, manners and culture. They also have an organic garden, & a few farm animals (chickens, ducks and a goat.)
The afterschool programs (Spanish, Art, Brain Gym, and Music appreciation) are fantastic as well.
The «summer camp» is geared towards arts and science, and for fun they bring in a professional swim instructor to give them lessons everyday!
Overall the school is a perfect blend of kinesthetic, and conceptual learning. The children are very well rounded and learn everything from math, penmanship, geography, art, & science. My son graduated this year from kindergarten and he’s leaps and bounds above the neighborhood children who go to public school.
Dr. Marsh
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
My daughter and son go there for preschool and kindergarten. They learned so much. We are very happy to see they enjoy going to school every day. We always believe in Montessori method, and the huge yard and farm animals are a plus. Tuition is not expensive compare to others in the area. It is a wonderful school. Highly recommended!
Place rating: 5
Los Gatos, CA
What a wonderful gift this school is to give to your young child in their early learning and development.
My child has been there for the past year and she is learning in so many ways — practical skills, gardening, swimming, manners, in addition to what you might expect related to early writing, reading and math.
The setting of the school is bucolic at its best, boasting a wide open backyard with a garden and farm animals which the children tend to, as well as an expansive lawn and free play area. The staff is stellar — from the owner, to the administrator and all the teachers, aides, and after school caregivers. Their passion for the program and care for the children is evident in everything they do — from frequent email updates, monthly newsletters with lots of pictures, thematic learning programs, special parent teaching nights, twice yearly sing alongs performed by the children, and a school sleepover as part of the summer program! It’s all carefully planned and enthusiastically received by the kids (and parents)!
There is a reason this school has been a mainstay of the Poway community for 30+ years. It’s a special place and we feel very fortunate to have our child attending the 3 year program, which evolves each year based on the child’s age as they grow from student to teacher, gaining independence and confidence as they learn skills that will carry them throughout their school careers and beyond.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Very good program for toddlers and preschoolers. My kids went there for a combined total of 7 years. Teachers are all caring and wonderful. Strict but fair and fun. Takes the time to get to know you and the k ids (they will even visit your house before 1st day of school to make sure the child is comfortable with the transition!) Not very expensive compared to other private or Montessori schools. Variety of well-​rounded programs for the kids. After school care is structured but fun. That yard is awesome!!! Animals (goats, ducks, chickens) and the most adorable veggie garden. Miss Katie is an awesome asst director and art teacher. Miss Angela and Miss Vanit are very competent teachers and so awesome. I miss them! (I, not the kids!) And have you ever heard of Kindergarteners making graduation speeches! They hone those public speaking skills early and give the kids a lot of self-​confidence.
Place rating: 5
Poway, CA
Loving environment in a home-​like setting. My son loves «the yard» where he gets to garden and tend to farm animals.