THE TODDLER JOURNEY
Where independence begins to bloom.
At Windsor Street Montessori, we believe toddlers are capable of so much more than we often give them credit for. Our Montessori toddler program in the heart of Columbia, MO is designed around that belief: giving children ages 18 months to 3 years a nurturing, prepared environment where independence isn't a goal we work toward. It's the foundation we build from day one.
The research is clear: The earliest years of a child's life are among the most formative. What happens between 18 months and 3 years shapes a child's relationship with learning, with others, and with themselves. Columbia families looking for an alternative to traditional daycare will find something different here: a program built on respect, independence, and joy.
WHY MONTESSORI IN THE TODDLER YEARS?
A Foundation
for Life
The toddler years are a critical window for development:
Children who develop independence early demonstrate stronger confidence and self-regulation as they grow
Consistent routines and prepared environments give toddlers the safety they need to take brave risks
Practical life skills learned at this age build the fine motor control, focus, and sequencing abilities that support academic readiness later
Mixed-age community gives toddlers exposure to a range of social dynamics, building empathy and communication skills naturally
Social-Emotional Growth
In our toddler classroom, social-emotional learning is woven into everything we do:
Children learn to check in on a friend who is hurt, practicing empathy in real moments
Guides use gentle, intentional communication that models emotional vocabulary and self-regulation
Children practice managing big feelings with patient support, not rushed fixes
Every child is seen and greeted warmly, every single day
Building Brave, Capable Kids
Toddlers at Windsor aren't carried in, they walk in. They carry their own belongings, hang up their own coats, and choose their own work. This isn't about doing things the hard way. It's about sending children a message from the very beginning: you are capable, and we believe in you.
THE FOOD-FORWARD* DIFFERENCE
THE FOOD-FORWARD* DIFFERENCE
*food-forward: an approach that cultivates a healthy, mindful relationship with our planet through whole-body nourishment and understanding of the interconnectedness between culture, environment, and community.
At Windsor, food is never an afterthought, not even for our youngest learners. In the Toddler classroom, children begin building a relationship with food that is rooted in curiosity, confidence, and care.
Toddler food-forward experiences include:
Watering and harvesting from our garden throughout the seasons
Sitting down together for meals, toddlers and guides side by side
Drinking from open cups and learning to clean up their own spills with pride
Enjoying scratch-made, seasonal meals with a monthly menu posted for families
Composting food scraps as an introduction to environmental stewardship
A language environment around food that is kind, curious, and never pressuring
We are intentional with the words we use around food and bodies. Children are invited to explore and taste. They are never forced. This early foundation shapes how children relate to nourishment for life.
A DAY IN OUR TODDLER CLASSROOM
Traditional childcare asks toddlers to be managed. We invite them to participate.
In our toddler classroom, every part of the day is an opportunity. From the moment children walk through the front door to the goodbye song at the end of the day, routines are thoughtfully designed to build confidence, independence, and a deep sense of belonging.
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Children walk in independently, greet their teachers warmly, and hang up their own gear in the cubby room. They settle into a work of their choosing at the table while friends arrive.
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A co-lead teacher gathers the group for morning circle, then sends children to wash hands and enjoy snack together.
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Children choose their own Montessori work, including practical life activities, sensorial materials, fine motor challenges, and are free to repeat activities as many times as they need. Gross motor options are available indoors during this time as well.
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Children head outside in small groups with a teacher, exploring the playground sensorially and physically. Running, jumping, climbing, balancing, and digging plus seasonal adventures like raking leaves in fall, shoveling snow in winter, and watering the garden in summer. Toddlers also have their own dedicated patio space.
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Children wash hands, find their spots at the table, and share a scratch-made lunch together. Toddlers and guides, all at the table, singing a song of gratitude before they eat.
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Each child rests on their own cot with a school-provided sheet. Blankets and stuffed animals from home are welcome. Teachers offer gentle back pats as needed. Not all children sleep, but all children rest, and that matters.
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As children wake up, they wash hands and gather for afternoon snack. The day closes with a goodbye circle, including songs, reflection, and a preview of tomorrow.
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After 3:30, children move into free play: outdoors when weather allows, with time to interact with older students and wind down the day with fresh air and small snacks.
What your toddler
will grow into
By the end of their time in the Toddler program, families regularly see children who can:
Hang up their coats and backpacks independently
Take off and put on their own shoes and socks
Clean up after themselves with confidence
Begin or complete the potty training process
Manage their emotions with growing vocabulary and support
Step into the Primary classroom feeling ready, familiar, and brave
TUITION & Financial Aid
TUITION
Families can choose to pay tuition on a monthly basis or pay for the full year. Families with two children attending receive a sibling discount of 10% off tuition for the second child. Families who pay tuition in full for the year may receive a 5% discount.
School Day — 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM: $1,200/month
Short Day — 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM: $1,050/month
Half Day — 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM: $970/month
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7:30–8:30 AM: $100/monthly fee
3:30–4:30 PM: $100/monthly fee
4:30–5:30 PM: Not currently available
financial aid
Windsor Street Montessori offers financial aid so that we may enroll and retain students who could not otherwise afford to attend our school.
Every family receiving aid is asked to pay some portion of tuition; there are no awards for 100 percent of tuition. Financial aid is not automatically renewed. Families who receive financial aid must reapply each year.
To be eligible, applicants must complete the Windsor Street Montessori Financial Aid Application and return it with:
A copy of the most recent, complete Federal/State Income Tax Filing including all schedules
A letter to the school board stating why you wish to enroll your child and to what degree you feel able to contribute to tuition, including your intended enrollment period (1, 2, or 3 years)
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
"The Montessori approach has fostered a true sense of independence and confidence in Kate. She is willing to try new things, and loves helping with everyday tasks at home. Her ability to communicate her emotions at her young age, and her ability to problem solve without frustration has been exciting to watch. We are grateful for the nurturing approach of all the teachers at Windsor, it is clear that she feels safe, connected and cared for. "
Emma, Toddler Parent
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Montessori is particularly well-suited for toddlers because it meets children exactly where they are developmentally. Between 18 months and 3 years, children have a powerful drive toward independence. They want to do things themselves. The Montessori toddler environment is designed to honor that drive, offering real tools, real responsibilities, and real choices in a safe, prepared space. Rather than managing toddlers through this stage, we guide them through it. The result is children who feel capable, confident, and genuinely excited to learn.
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At Windsor Street Montessori in Columbia, MO, children can begin as young as 18 months in our Toddler program. This is one of the most sensitive periods for language development, independence, and emotional regulation, making it an ideal time to begin. Children who start in the Toddler program also have the advantage of growing into Primary already familiar with Montessori rhythms, materials, and guides.
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It's one of the questions we hear most from prospective families, and it's a fair one. Many families arrive expecting the flexibility of a traditional nursery: drop off when you can, pick up when you're ready. Our program works a little differently, and here's why that matters.
Toddlers thrive on routine. Mastering the rhythm of the day (knowing what comes next, feeling confident in the environment) is at the core of what helps young children grow into independent, self-directed learners. Consistent attendance isn't a requirement we make to be rigid. It's the condition that allows your child to feel safe, capable, and truly at home.
The structure isn't something we impose on children. It's something they come to own.
THE BRIDGE TO PRIMARY
THE BRIDGE TO PRIMARY
One of the beautiful things about starting at Windsor as a toddler: Your child doesn't just enter the Primary classroom, they grow into it.
Toddlers visit the Primary classroom regularly. They get to know the guides, the materials, and the rhythms of the next environment long before they officially transition. When the time comes, the move feels exciting rather than uncertain.
We begin conversations with families about two months ahead of a transition, supporting children gradually with short visits that grow longer over time. Our goal is that every child steps into Primary feeling not just ready, but proud.
The potty training milestone is part of this transition. We partner with families throughout the toddler years to support children in reaching this milestone at their own pace, so the move to Primary feels like a celebration of growth.
Ready to see it for yourself?
Come spend time in our toddler classroom. Watch how children move, choose, and thrive. There's nothing quite like seeing it in person.