Nido
Learning Outcomes
- Purposeful Movement: Physical milestones – fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination
- Life Skills: Moving from a bottle or nursing to self-feeding with real, small utensils; a safe place for toilet learning to begin; initial development, confidence and independence
- Language Development: Language saturated environment (speech and print), emphasis on vocabulary development; the environment encourages infants to express needs before verbal language is fully formed.
Program Highlights
- Developmentally appropriate furniture and materials
- Specially designed furniture and materials support children’s independence and encourage exploration and movement.
- Warm and caring interactions between teachers and children
- Peaceful routines and consistent care encourage feelings of security that allow infants to feel safe to explore.
- Language rich environment
- Conversations, songs, reading experiences, and vocabulary saturation support language development.
The Montessori Difference
A Word From Our Lead Teacher
Arlene Botello
FAQ
What does a typical day look like in the Infant Classroom?
Each infant’s schedule is individualized based on their unique needs. Our nurturing environment follows your child’s natural routines for feeding, sleeping, movement, and exploration while providing opportunities for sensory development, language growth, and secure relationships with caregivers.
How do you support my baby's development?
Our Montessori Infant Classroom is carefully designed to encourage movement, independence, and discovery. Teachers observe each child closely and provide developmentally appropriate materials and experiences that support cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth.
How will I know how my baby is doing throughout the day?
Families receive regular communication from teachers regarding feeding, sleeping, diapering, and developmental milestones. We value strong partnerships with parents and encourage ongoing conversations about your child’s progress and needs.
Do you have openings right now?
Availability varies by age group, classroom, and location. Infant (Nido) and toddler spots tend to fill quickly, while primary (preschool) and home-based learning may have more flexibility depending on the time of year. The best next step is to reach out for current openings and/or schedule a tour.
How much is tuition and what does it include?
Tuition varies based on the child’s age. Private pay rates are:
- Nido: $2,892
- Toddler: $2,731
- Primary: $2,035
The fee covers:
- Extended-day early education and care for children ages 0-6.
- Daily learning experiences supported through the Montessori curriculum.
- Individualized learning plans to help your child develop the skills they’ll need for kindergarten and beyond.
- Delicious well-balanced meals and snacks from My Kid’s Lunch.
- Developmental screenings, mental health supports, and family support
- Parent-teacher partnerships and real-time communication and photos to learn about your child’s day
*There is an additional $65 monthly materials fees for Nido and Toddler classrooms.
Do you accept subsidies (e.g., CCAP, Head Start, UPK, DPP)? / Do you offer assistance?
Yes. Family Star Montessori is known for a blended funding model and accepts:
- CCAP (Colorado Child Care Assistance Program)
- Head Start / Early Head Start
- UPK (Universal Preschool)
- DPP (Denver Preschool Program)
These programs can significantly reduce or even fully cover tuition depending on family eligibility.
Is there a fee to join the waitlist or enroll?
Yes, there are a couple of standard fees:
- Administration Fee: $100 (non-refundable)
- Tuition Deposit: $500 (applied toward your child’s tuition once enrolled)
However, Head Start eligible families do not pay an administrative fee or tuition deposit.
Is there a waitlist? How long is it?
Yes. Family Star Montessori typically maintains a waitlist, especially for younger age groups (Nido/toddlers). Wait times are immediate, ranging from a few months, to even over a year depending on age and funding type. It’s always recommended to apply early.
How do I apply / What’s the enrollment process?
The process generally includes:
- Submit an inquiry or application
- Connect with the enrollment team / schedule a tour
- Determine eligibility for programs (Head Start, private pay tuition, subsidies, etc.)
- Once a spot is available, you will be notified and provided enrollment paperwork
Do you offer part-time or full-time options? / Do you offer extended care?
Family Star Montessori offers:
- Full-day programming is (approx. 7:45 AM – 5:15 PM)
- Head Start hours are typically shorter (around 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM)
- Extended care options are available to cover the full workday with CCAP or for a fee.
What curriculum does Family Star Montessori use?
Family Star Montessori uses an authentic Montessori curriculum in its classrooms, providing a child-centered, hands-on approach that supports independence and whole-child development across cognitive, social-emotional, and physical domains.
For its home-based program, Family Star utilizes the Parents as Teachers (PAT) curriculum, an evidence-based model that is thoughtfully blended with Montessori principles to support learning in the home and strengthen parent-child relationships.
Overall, Family Star integrates Montessori with other leading educational practices and comprehensive family support, creating a holistic approach that nurtures both children and their families.
Do you offer tours?
Yes! We encourage all prospective families to schedule a tour. This is a great opportunity to see our classrooms in action, learn more about our Montessori approach, and ask questions. Tours can be scheduled through Schedule a Tour page.
Tuition Information & Support
Family Star believes that cost should never be a barrier to a world-class education. We serve families across the full economic spectrum, from fully funded Early Head Start services to private pay tuition, and we are committed to helping every family find a path that works for them.
