Montessori Preschools near White Bear Lake, MN

Preschool

Inherent to the Step By Step classroom is the use of Montessori materials to allow children to explore practical life, sensory perception, reading and writing abilities, mathematical skills, geographical areas, and elements of botany and zoology.

Infant Program

In the Step By Step infant program our first and foremost goal is to provide a safe, clean and peaceful child care environment. The emphasis is on stimulation and comfort for the very young child.

Montessori Preschool

Your child is free to choose activities guided by their curiosity, to develop their strengths and talents. Montessori materials also have built-in challenges, so your child develops critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Montessori Toddler Program

Your child explores a world of expression and creativity as they choose colors and textures to explore. Art practice also improves fine motor skills, making things like gripping a pencil easier.

Children's House

Our specialized curriculum uses rhymes, stories and hands-on activities to encourage those first steps toward building the foundational skills for reading, writing, math, and science.

Before and After Care Program

Montessori Preschool

Your child is free to choose activities guided by their curiosity, to develop their strengths and talents. Montessori materials also have built-in challenges, so your child develops critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Montessori Infant Care

Babies are viewed and spoken to in ways that allow them to be active participants in their daily lives. The deep respect this approach engenders is the start of self-love and self-esteem.

Montessori Preschool Program

Toddler Care Program

Montessori Preschool Program

Elementary School

Montessori Preschool Program

After Care Program

Montessori Preschool Program

Montessori Preschool Program

Montessori Preschool Program

After Care Program

Montessori Preschool Program

Before and After Care Program

Discovery Preschool

Preschool program designed to create a strong academic and social foundation. Teachers introduce math, literacy, and science. Activities also include music, movement, art, pretend play, and group games. Children become an active part of their classroom community.

Preschool Program

Hands-on preschool program with a strong focus on school readiness. Children are encouraged to think independently and express their individuality. Your child’s day is filled with creating, experimenting, and imaginary play. Curriculum includes: math, science, language, and spanish. Children begin to expand social skills and build friendships.

Preschool

Children start their journeys into a more structured classroom setting designed to set them up for kindergarten success. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Pre-K

Our pre-k program will provide your child with immersive experiences that are adapted to the developmental needs of this age group. Our classrooms are filled with a variety of engaging musical experiences to support your little ones development. Take a moment to listen (and dance) to one of our playlists. Children engage with colors, textures, and a variety of materials each day, to creatively express themselves and the world they see! Our rooms are lined with shelves of toys that encourage children to investigate, discover, reason, and organize their knowledge… all while playing with friends!

Discovery Preschool

Preschool program designed to create a strong academic and social foundation. Teachers introduce math, literacy, and science. Activities also include music, movement, art, pretend play, and group games. Children become an active part of their classroom community.

Preschool Program

Hands-on preschool program with a strong focus on school readiness. Children are encouraged to think independently and express their individuality. Your child’s day is filled with creating, experimenting, and imaginary play. Curriculum includes: math, science, language, and spanish. Children begin to expand social skills and build friendships.

Preschool

The Gardner School’s preschool program fosters curiosity, independence, and cognitive growth through hands-on learning and cooperative play. Using the World of Wonders (WOW) curriculum, teachers introduce language, literacy, math, and science while supporting social-emotional development. Learning centers encourage exploration in reading, construction, dramatic play, fine motor skills, and sensory activities, while routines, classroom roles, and enrichment build confidence. Learning Without Tears strengthens early writing and readiness through multi-sensory techniques. Children participate in enrichment classes like dance, music, language, and sports, and take on leadership roles that promote responsibility. Preschoolers wear uniforms and enjoy meals in the Kids’ Cafe, supporting independence. Families stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports. Through engaging academics and individualized support, we prepare children for kindergarten and a lifelong love of learning.

Pre-K

The Gardner School’s Pre-K program prepares children for kindergarten through structured learning, hands-on activities, and leadership opportunities. Using the World of Wonders (WOW) curriculum, teachers build early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills while fostering independence. Learning Without Tears supports writing and readiness through multi-sensory techniques, while interactive centers encourage creativity, problem-solving, and exploration. Technology, including educational games on computers and iPads, enhances engagement. Students build responsibility with KITE (Keeping It All Together Every Day) binders, introducing early homework concepts and strengthening home-school communication. They also take on leadership roles in enrichment classes like music, drama, language, and sports. Families stay connected through real-time updates, KITE binders, and conferences. Graduates can continue skill-building in Kindergarten Boot Camp, supporting a confident transition to kindergarten.

Early Preschool

It’s never too early to start preparing your child to be ready for school, and that’s why our parents—and their children—love our Early Preschool classroom. As a stepping stone to Preschool, our Early Preschool program has a unique, indicator-based curriculum, Learn as We Grow™, designed to address the individual learning needs of 30- to 42-month-old children. We focus on understanding routines and developing independence. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.

Preschool

For any child, preschool education is an essential step on the path to kindergarten. We want the best for your child and that’s why this program focuses on their personal development with customized curriculum and lesson plans to meet their individual developmental needs. In this classroom, children are given an increasing sense of independence, while also learning how to relate to others through large-group activities which are an essential part of the day. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.

Preschool Care

Our teachers are loving, experienced, and consistent. The preschool daily schedule is structured, academically focused, and fun! Weekly lessons and activities focus on a curriculum rich in reading, math, science, art, music, sensory, dramatic play, and imaginative play.

Pre-Kindergarten

Our teachers are loving, experienced, and consistent. The Pre-Kindergarten daily schedule is structured, academically focused, and fun! Weekly lessons and activities focus on a curriculum which is rich in reading, math, science, art, music, sensory, dramatic play, and imaginative play.

Preschool Care

Our teachers are loving, experienced, and consistent. The preschool daily schedule is structured, academically focused, and fun! Weekly lessons and activities focus on a curriculum rich in reading, math, science, art, music, sensory, dramatic play, and imaginative play.

Pre-Kindergarten

Our teachers are loving, experienced, and consistent. The Pre-Kindergarten daily schedule is structured, academically focused, and fun! Weekly lessons and activities focus on a curriculum which is rich in reading, math, science, art, music, sensory, dramatic play, and imaginative play.

Early Preschool

It’s never too early to start preparing your child to be ready for school, and that’s why our parents—and their children—love our Early Preschool classroom. As a stepping stone to Preschool, our Early Preschool program has a unique, indicator-based curriculum, Learn as We Grow™, designed to address the individual learning needs of 30- to 42-month-old children. We focus on understanding routines and developing independence. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.

Preschool

For any child, preschool education is an essential step on the path to kindergarten. We want the best for your child and that’s why this program focuses on their personal development with customized curriculum and lesson plans to meet their individual developmental needs. In this classroom, children are given an increasing sense of independence, while also learning how to relate to others through large-group activities which are an essential part of the day. We’re also here when you need us. Ask your school about flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule.