The Nest — Montessori Children’s House

A smiling child wearing a straw hat in a garden

My Story

Yuliya supporting a child with a Montessori activity

Hello, I’m Yuliya, founder of The Nest Montessori Children’s House.

My Montessori journey began 22 years ago, when my daughter was a toddler.

Like many parents, I was searching for an environment where she would feel loved, safe, and understood, while also being respected as the capable little person she already was. That search introduced me to Montessori—and what began as something I discovered for my daughter soon became a philosophy I deeply believed in and a path that would shape both my family and my life’s work.

Montessori became part of our family. Both of my children attended Montessori schools from their early years through middle school, so I had the opportunity to experience the philosophy not only as an educator, but also as a mother. Over the years, I watched the qualities Montessori nurtures—independence, confidence, curiosity, responsibility, and respect—grow alongside my own children.

My professional journey began in California and later took me to Northern Thailand, where I spent many years working at a nonprofit school. It was a meaningful chapter of my life that gave me the opportunity to work with children and families from different cultures and backgrounds.

Small wooden chairs and a table prepared for children

While in Northern Thailand, I also had the opportunity to help with the opening of a new school. Being involved in creating a learning environment from the very beginning deepened my understanding of how much thought, care, and intention go into preparing a place where children can truly thrive.

Eventually, I returned to the United States and continued working with young children for another eight years.

After 22 years of working with children, I felt ready to bring together everything I had learned and create something of my own.

And that is how The Nest Montessori Children’s House came to life.

A bright Montessori classroom with low wooden shelves and children’s furniture

The Nest is a small, home-based Montessori program created especially for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years. It is the culmination of more than two decades of experience, but it is also deeply personal to me. It brings together what I have learned as an educator, what I have experienced as a mother, and my lasting belief in the Montessori philosophy.

I believe that even the youngest children deserve to be treated with respect and trusted in their growing abilities. When we slow down, observe, and give children meaningful opportunities to do things for themselves, we allow something beautiful to happen: “Help me to do it myself” becomes part of their everyday life.

At The Nest, my goal is to create a peaceful, warm, and thoughtfully prepared environment where children feel secure enough to explore, make choices, develop independence, and discover the joy of learning.

I chose the name The Nest because it represents exactly what I hope this little community will be—a safe and nurturing beginning, a place to belong, and a place where children can grow strong and confident before they are ready to spread their wings.

Welcome to The Nest — where little beginnings
are given the time, care, and respect they deserve.

Our Program

For Children 18 Months to 3 Years

At The Nest Montessori Children’s House, our toddler program is thoughtfully designed to nurture independence, confidence, and a growing sense of accomplishment during these important early years.

Admissions

We’d Love to Meet Your Family

Choosing the right environment for your child is an important decision, and we believe the best place to begin is by getting to know one another.

What Is Montessori?

Helping Children Become Capable, Confident, and Independent

Montessori is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that is based on a deep respect for the child and a belief in each child’s natural desire to learn, explore, and become independent.

Rather than directing every moment of a child’s day, Montessori teachers carefully prepare an environment where children can make meaningful choices, work with purposeful materials, and learn through hands-on experiences.

At The Nest Montessori Children’s House, we believe even the youngest children are capable of doing much more for themselves than we sometimes realize. Our role is to give them the time, space, guidance, and encouragement to discover their own abilities.

The Prepared Environment

The Montessori classroom is intentionally designed around the child.

Furniture and materials are accessible and appropriately sized, allowing children to move freely and participate in their environment. Materials are thoughtfully arranged so children can choose an activity, work with it, and return it when they are finished.

This sense of order and beauty helps create a peaceful environment where children can develop concentration, confidence, and independence.

Learning Through Everyday Life

For toddlers, some of the most meaningful learning happens through ordinary daily experiences.

Pouring water, washing hands, putting on shoes, preparing food, carrying a tray, watering a plant, cleaning a spill, and returning materials to the shelf may seem like simple tasks, but they are important Montessori experiences.

Through this purposeful work, children strengthen coordination, concentration, problem-solving skills, and independence while developing the confidence that comes from realizing:

“I can do it myself.”

Freedom Within Gentle Boundaries

Montessori gives children freedom—but not freedom without limits.

Children are encouraged to make choices within a carefully prepared environment while learning to respect themselves, other people, and their surroundings. Teachers observe each child closely and offer guidance and new experiences when the child is ready.

This allows children to develop at their own pace while also learning how to be part of a peaceful and respectful community.

Following the Child

Every child develops differently. Montessori recognizes and honors those individual differences.

Rather than expecting every child to learn the same thing at exactly the same time, we observe each child’s interests, abilities, and developmental needs and provide experiences that support their next stage of growth.

At The Nest, our goal is not simply to teach children what to know. We want to help them develop a lifelong love of learning and the confidence, independence, curiosity, and respect that will stay with them far beyond our classroom.