Montessori preschools focus on a student-led model of education, and Westchester is home to a number of top-notch institutions.
Westchester's Montessori preschools are aimed at kids as young as 6 weeks old up through those who are 6 years old. All of the schools on this list also offer a variety of options for parents to choose from, including the number of attendance days per week, as well as additional choices, like before- or after-school care.
For even more education options for your toddler, check out our Preschools Guide for Westchester Kids.
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The Best Montessori Preschools in Westchester
Bronxville Montessori School – Bronxville, NY
A mainstay in the area for almost 50 years—it was founded in 1976—this Montessori school offers programs for toddlers starting at 18 months up through pre-school and kindergarten at the West Center Congregational Church. As the school explains, kids are grouped in either 3-year or 1.5-year age spans—meaning a 4-year-old and 5-year-old might be in the same class, for instance—to help increase learning opportunities. Parents can choose to send their kids 5 days a week, or fewer, depending on the program, and the day can go as long as 8am to 4pm, with options for earlier pick-up, or just morning classes. The school also offers beforecare and aftercare as well as a 7-week summer camp program.
Montessori Children’s Center – West Harrison, NY
Babies starting at 3 months old are welcome at this Montessori center in West Harrison, with programs offered for babies up to 18 months, toddlers up to 3 years old, and an early childhood program for kids up to 6 years old. Following a Montessori curriculum, kids are grouped in classrooms by various ages—so the 3- to 6-year-olds are together in the early childhood program, for instance—and the day runs from 8am to 5:30pm. Breakfast, along with snacks and milk, is included, and hot lunch is also available for purchase.
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Students get plenty of outdoor time at Pound Ridge Montessori School.
Pound Ridge Montessori School – Pound Ridge, NY
Founded 54 years ago, this Montessori school offers programs for 2- to 5-year-olds. The Children’s House program is for kids between ages 3 and 5, with the day running from 9am to 12pm, up to 5 days a week. (Fewer days are a possibility as well.) Along with ample time outside—the location was once a farm—there are also enrichment classes in Spanish, art, and more. The Foundations program began in 2021 and has a class size of just eight kids. While the core day ends at 12pm, there is an extended day option until 2pm at the Bedford Learning Center next door.
Alcott School – Dobbs Ferry
This Dobbs Ferry Montessori school, which was established in 1968, offers programs for both 2-year-olds and 3- to 5-year-olds. There are half-day options—from 9am until 12pm (11:30am for the 2’s)—as well as a full day for the older kids that goes until 3:30pm. The school also offers a special education program, including an integrated Montessori class, as well as speech, language, and occupational therapy services. Along with the typical school year curriculum, they also have a summer camp program that goes as long as 6 weeks.
The Worthington Nursery School – White Plains
For toddlers and pre-schoolers starting at age 3, this Montessori-based school in White Plains runs from 7:45am through 2:45pm every day, with options to choose fewer days as well as either simply the morning or afternoon sessions. Along with the Montessori curriculum, the school year consists of everything from music and science to lessons in French or Spanish to lots of physical activity. There are both early drop-off and extended options, with a slew of programming, like art and science, in the after-school program, which runs until 6pm.
ThistleWaithe – South Salem and Katonah
With two locations, ThistleWaithe, which was founded in Katonah in 2000 and then expanded to South Salem nine years later, offers three programs, starting with toddlers. In Katonah, you’ll find the Primary Program, which is for kids from 3 to 6 years old, while the South Salem location—which sits on 6.5 acres—offers that program, as well as one for toddlers from 18 to 36 months and another for kindergarteners from 5- to 6-years-old. Following a school schedule, there are half- and full-day options (the kindergarten program is full-day) as well as summer camp and classroom enrichment programs, like languages and music, offered for kids 3 and up.
The Nurtury Montessori School – Rye Brook, Larchmont, and New Rochelle
Parents of infants looking for Montessori-based care, take note: This program, which has three locations throughout the county, is available for babies 6 weeks and up. Along with the infant program, which goes up to 18 months, there are options for toddlers through 36 months and then kids up to age 6 in the Primary program. Kids can stay in each program from 7:30am until 6:30pm, and as many as 5 days a week. The school also offers numerous “afternoon specials”—from cooking to Spanish to piano.
Photos courtesy of the schools