Where Children Learn Through Play

We are a Waldorf-inspired preschool. Our program centers on the whole child, nurturing intellectual, artistic, and practical development through play, imagination, and hands-on experience. Rather than pushing academic skills early, we focus on building the emotional and creative foundation that supports lifelong learning. Our program is grounded in nature-based learning and open to all families, without religious instruction.

Marin Mountain School is a great fit for families who want more than academic readiness. If you value creativity, outdoor time, imaginative play, and a warm nurturing environment over worksheets and screen time, you will likely feel at home here. Our program works especially well for children who are sensitive, curious, or energetic, because the rhythm and structure of the day gives them a reliable framework to feel safe and thrive.

We accept children starting at two years and nine months old. A child may begin on the first day of the month in which they reach that age. Children must be diaper and pull-up free during activity and rest time. Our mixed-age classrooms serve children up to six years old.

A typical day at Marin Mountain School follows a gentle, predictable rhythm designed to help children feel secure and engaged. Mornings begin with circle time, songs, and movement, followed by indoor free play, clean up, snack, outdoor play, story time, and lunch. The afternoon program includes rest, snacks, arts and crafts, and outdoor play. The consistency of this rhythm is intentional. When children know what comes next, they can relax into learning and play with confidence.

Both approaches respect the child and emphasize hands-on learning, but they are quite different in practice. Montessori environments are highly structured around specific learning materials and child-directed independent work. Our classrooms are more fluid, centered on imaginative play, storytelling, seasonal rhythms, and artistic activities led by the teacher. Montessori tends to introduce academic concepts earlier, while we focus on building imagination and emotional foundations first. Many Marin families visit both and find that one resonates more with how they see childhood.

No. Marin Mountain School is not a religious institution and does not provide religious instruction of any kind. Our seasonal celebrations and rhythms reflect a connection to the natural world, not any specific faith tradition. We welcome families of all backgrounds.

Five-day private preschool programs in Marin County typically run between $19,000 and $24,000 per year. Marin Mountain School’s five-morning program is $22,050, putting us squarely in line with comparable programs across the county. For families who need full-day coverage, our all-in program from 8am to 5:45pm runs $31,150 annually, which is competitive with what families at other Marin schools pay when tuition and aftercare are combined. For families who need financial support, tuition assistance is available based on demonstrated need. Our program does not cover its full cost through tuition alone. We rely on the generosity of our community to fill the gap. We believe every child deserves access to a high quality early childhood education, and we work hard to make that possible.

Marin County has a strong community of early childhood programs, and the right fit depends on your family’s values and what you are looking for. Marin Mountain School is one of the few Waldorf-inspired preschools in the area, offering a nature-based, play-centered program with a warm and experienced teaching staff, small class sizes, and a tight-knit parent community. We have served Marin families since 1990 and welcome you to come see the school for yourself.