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9 Montessori Preschools for Long Island Kids

Stimulate your child's learning at West Hills Montessori. Photo courtesy of the school
Stimulate your child's learning at West Hills Montessori. Photo courtesy of the school
2/19/22 - By Toby B

The days are long, but the years are short. Before you know it, it’s time for your little one to spread his or her wings and head off to preschool.

There are many preschool options on Long Island, and choices can be overwhelming. But if you’ve decided a Montessori preschool is a good fit for your child, we’ve put together a list of options to get you started on a search.

For the uninitiated, Montessori is an educational philosophy developed more than a century ago that encourages kids to be independent and learn at their own pace. Typically students are grouped by ability rather than age, classrooms are outfitted with specific learning materials, and specially trained teachers act as observers and facilitators.  

Take advantage of the tours and open houses these schools offer and bring along your child so he or she can get a feel for the school as well. For more learning opportunities for Long Island kids, check out our classes and enrichment guide.

 

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Montessori Preschools in Suffolk County

Montessori Life of Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai
Ages 2-6 years old
At Montessori Life, children are encouraged to explore and discover the world based on their interests and abilities. The school accepts enrollment year-round for its preschool and kindergarten classes and offers a 10-week summer camp program featuring Montessori-based experiences. A bilingual program allows children to learn Spanish naturally while exploring the world around them. Classroom design, materials, and daily routines support individual development. READ MORE

Loving Hands Montessori Preschool

Bay Shore
Ages 18 months to 6 years
Loving Hands Montessori Preschool accepts enrollments all year long for its preschool day care, toddler, and preschool programs. The school has options for families who are looking for full-day or half-day care as well as an accelerated curriculum for pre-kindergarten children. Healthy meals and snacks are provided in addition to the school’s own unique, child-focused curriculum based on Montessori principles. Summer programs are also offered. READ MORE

North Shore Montessori School

Stony Brook
Ages 18 months-5 years
North Shore Montessori welcomes children ages 6 weeks through kindergarten. A Montessori learning environment is like no other. Every child is unique and the faculty is trained and committed to nurturing the unique qualities of each child. The Montessori method focuses on allowing a child to learn in a hands-on setting, which is designed to cater to each child’s individual needs and unique personality. Through the prepared environments of each classroom, the students develop independence, self-discipline, academic skill, and a passion for life-long learning. NSMS is a... READ MORE
Students learn in mixed-age environments at Southampton Montessori School. Photo courtesy of the school
Students learn in mixed-age environments at Southampton Montessori School. Photo courtesy of the school

Montessori Preschools on Long Island's East End

Southampton Montessori School

Southampton
Ages 3-9 years
The curriculum here is based on a three-year cycle of mixed-age groupings so students can take full advantage of the program and learn from and teach each other. Half- and full-day preschool sessions are offered five days a week, and elementary sessions are five days a week from 9am to 2pm. Before- and after-care are available for families who need it. Students have access to the school’s main building, which houses the classrooms, a greenhouse, and a gymnasium. Students can also enjoy the garden, courtyard, and playground area. READ MORE

Montessori Preschools in Nassau County

Countryside Montessori School

Great Neck
Ages 18 months-6 years
Countryside Montessori School has two toddler classes and two primary classes. The toddler class is for children 18 months to 3 years old while primary includes nursery, pre-K, kindergarten, and first-grade students. Families are encouraged to keep their children in the primary program for three consecutive years to take advantage of the full curriculum. All curricula follow the Montessori philosophy. The school has an outdoor playground and access to natural surroundings that children are free to explore safely. READ MORE

The Happy Montessori School of Port Washington

Port Washington
Ages 2 years, 8 months-6 years
Founded in 1970, the Happy Montessori School is a community fixture. This New York State-accredited school looks to the Montessori principle that for children to learn they need freedom; a freedom that is best achieved through structure and predictability. Here, children have the opportunity to practice yoga, learn Spanish, and appreciate art and music. The school also offers a summer day camp held at Sands Point Preserve. Interested families are encouraged to call for a tour of the historic campus. Transportation is available for those in Port Washington and parts of... READ MORE

Long Island Montessori School

Westbury
Ages 3-6
Children at Long Island Montessori School learn in a multiage classroom functionally arranged for children to work and move about freely. All items are neatly placed on shelves that children can see and touch, and books are always available. The school offers an extended program in the morning and afternoon for those families who need it. READ MORE

The Montessori Children's School

Massapequa
Ages 2 years, 9 months-5 years
Children are encouraged to learn here through exploration. Programs for children begin as early as toddler and run all the way to kindergarten, taught by lead teachers with Montessori certification. The school offers an extended-hours program for families who need before- and after-care. There is also a summer camp for children. READ MORE

Our Lady of Grace Montessori School

Manhasset
Ages 3-10 years
Our Lady of Grace Montessori School’s "The Wings" program is a multiage community of learners between the ages of 3 and 6. Half-day sessions are offered for either the morning or the afternoon for 3-year olds and full days are available for 4-year olds. The school follows Montessori principles with a Catholic orientation in all areas of learning, including practical life, sensorial, math, and language. Classrooms are carefully prepared with concrete and hands-on materials designed for discovery and understanding. The curriculum adheres to New York State standards. READ MORE

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