Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions & Enrollment
What age children are enrolled?
Our Spanish bilingual Montessori preschool program serves children ages 2½ to 6, preparing them for a smooth transition into first grade. We accept children as young as 2 in our half-day program.
Is Holding Hands Montessori a religious based school?
No. While we’re located on church grounds, we are not affiliated with any religious organization. We respect all faiths and none. As a child-centered program, we honor celebrations that are meaningful to our students and value introducing children to a diversity of cultural traditions.
Do children need to be potty trained before enrolling?
No. We support each child’s toilet learning journey respectfully, in partnership with families and in line with Montessori principles of readiness and independence. A monthly diapering/toilet assistance fee is charged if your student is younger than 3 years old, or is any age but still in diapers.
How do we enroll our child in your Spanish bilingual Montessori preschool program?
- Schedule a Parent Tour.
- Apply online.
- Schedule a Classroom Visit with your child.
- Complete and electronically sign the contract we send you.
- Pay the one-time $100 enrollment fee and the first month’s tuition (non-refundable deposit).
- Submit your enrollment packet and immunization records.
Is there a priority order for enrollment?
Yes. Enrollment priority is as follows:
- Currently enrolled families
- Siblings of currently enrolled students
- Waitlisted families (by application date)
- New applications
If applications exceed availability, a lottery may be held—honoring the priority order.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Applying is free. The $100 enrollment fee is only required upon acceptance.
When Can I Enroll?
We operate year-round and accept applications for enrollment throughout the year. Enrollment is based on schedule availability in our program. If we do not currently have space for your child, we will add them to the wait list for the next available spot in our program.
Can we tour the school?
Absolutely! We offer regular tours. Schedule your tour here.
Can we meet the teachers before our child starts?
Yes! Families meet the teachers at their Classroom Visit, after applying and before their enrollment contract is signed.
What Makes Our Program Special?
Is your program bilingual or a Spanish-immersive preschool?
We are a true Spanish-English bilingual Montessori program. We alternate full weeks in English and Spanish, allowing children to immerse themselves in and build fluency in both languages fully.
What is your student-to-teacher ratio?
We aim for an 8:1 ratio with a maximum of 15 students and 2 teachers in our classroom. In rare cases, the ratio may rise to 12:1.
What are your staff qualifications?
Our Director brings over 15 years of hands-on Montessori classroom experience. She holds a Master’s in Education with a Montessori emphasis and a Site Supervisor permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish & Latin American Studies, which complements our Spanish bilingual Montessori preschool program.
Our Teachers are native Spanish speakers and have studied Child Development and/or Early Childhood Education.
How is Montessori different from play-based preschool?
Montessori preschools offer a structured, child-led environment emphasizing independence, concentration, and practical life skills. Children choose purposeful activities and work at their own pace, guided by trained observers. Paramount to the Montessori classroom is the feature that it is a mixed-age classroom, with children ages 2 ½ – 6 years old sharing the same space and working together.
Play-based preschools promote unstructured play and social development through imaginative areas like blocks or dramatic play. Teachers join in play to support creativity and collaboration.
Program Basics
What are your hours?
We are open 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. Available schedules:
- Half Day: 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
- School Day: 8:30 AM–3:00 PM
- Full Day: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Early Start (8:00–8:30 AM) and Extended Day (5:00–6:00 PM) are available for an added monthly fee.
Are you a year-round program?
Yes. We operate year-round and generally follow the Mt Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) calendar for breaks and holidays. See our school calendar for details.
What supplies do parents need to bring?
- A full change of clothes (replace as needed)
- For nappers: fitted crib sheet, blanket, optional pillow/stuffed toy
- Reusable water bottle (washed weekly at home)
- Diapers and wipes (if needed)
How do you handle rainy days or extreme heat?
We stay active indoors with gross motor activities like obstacle courses, yoga, and dance parties. A little rain is welcome—send boots and jackets!
We stay indoors during extreme heat or when the AQI exceeds 50.
Do you go on field trips?
We stay on campus but host family events and invite special guests (visitors from the community, such as firefighters, librarians, dentists, peace officers) to enrich the classroom experience.
Do you require parent volunteer service?
No, but family involvement is welcome! Options include:
- Garden days
- Sharing music, cooking, art, or cultural experiences during circle time
- Preparing materials at home
- Handy-parent duties
Have a skill or idea to share? We’d love to hear it!
Health and Safety
How do you keep children safe?
- The preschool entrance is locked at all times
- Families use unique access codes to enter
- Children are closely supervised during all transitions
- Outdoor areas are fully fenced and monitored
Can church staff access the preschool space?
Yes, but they rarely enter during school hours, and they don’t enter the classroom space. A church board member checks the fire extinguishers monthly.
How do you communicate with parents throughout the day?
We use the Brightwheel app for secure messaging, updates, and check-ins throughout the day. We use it to share photos privately with parents.
Do you provide lunch or snacks?
Families pack lunch in a lunch bag or box with an ice pack. We heat food in glass containers only. We are a nut-free school. We provide morning (10am) and afternoon (2:45pm) snacks aligned with federal nutritional guidelines.
Do you accommodate food allergies?
Yes. Please notify the Director of any allergies so we can ensure safe accommodations.
Behavior Guidance
How do you manage misbehavior?
We use the Conscious Discipline approach, which emphasizes emotional safety, connection, and problem-solving. Teachers build strong bonds with children and co-regulate emotions through calming tools – like breathing exercises (“blowing out candles”) and the use of cozy spaces for self-regulation. Discipline is not punitive but focused on teaching skills for emotional intelligence and respectful conflict resolution.
For more information on Conscious Discipline, please watch this video by Mr. Chazz.
What about serious behaviors like biting or hitting?
We respond with calm, consistent support and clear boundaries. Such behaviors are developmentally normal at certain ages and are addressed using Conscious Discipline tools. Families are involved in any ongoing concerns. Suppose a child’s behavior becomes persistently unsafe and beyond the support we can provide. In that case, we may recommend external resources or, in rare cases, require withdrawal to ensure the well-being of all children.
Scheduling
Yes, if space is available. Please notify us at least 30 days in advance. Note: half-day and part-week schedules are limited.
