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Lifeskills Montessori Daycare, Fairfax

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Based on 38 reviews
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About

Welcome to Lifeskills Montessori Daycare
Hello, parents! My name is Maliha Mahmood, and I am the proud owner and lead caregiver at Lifeskills Montessori Daycare, an exclusive child care and preschool program in Fairfax, VA. As a mother of three with 25 years of child care experience, I understand the importance of finding a nurturing, safe, and educational environment for your little ones. Our licensed daycare offers a boutique set-up in a warm, home away from home atmosphere. Conveniently located in Fairfax, VA, near Lee Hwy and Shirley Gate Rd, close to Walmart and Lowe’s, we provide a personalized and caring setting for your children to thrive. Special offer: $100 registration fee waived for parents who contact us through CareLuLu! Also, limited-time promotion: get up to 25% OFF on the tuition! Valid for new full-time enrollments with a start date before October 31, 2024.
About Our Program
We are open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, providing full-time and part-time care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old whole year-round. Safety is our top priority. Our fenced playground provides a secure area for outdoor activities, and our facility is regularly sanitized to maintain a clean and healthy environment. We offer competitive tuition rates for all three age groups in our care. Our adult-to-child ratio is 3:1, which is extremely rare and goes much beyond industry standards. This allows us to customize our program according to each child's needs. Our infants, younger toddlers, and older toddlers are not grouped together; instead, they engage in activities tailored to their unique needs, aiding in their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development while working with their own caregiver. Our home-cooked meals and snacks are included in the tuition and are prepared in a peanut-free and tree-nut-free environment, ensuring the safety of all children. Freshly prepared meals are a hallmark of Lifeskills Montessori, and we are committed to providing nutritious meals that meet and exceed USDA requirements.
Meet The Director
I hold a Master's Degree in English Language Teaching and have an AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) diploma with extensive experience in the Montessori method. My passion for early childhood education and development drives me to create a loving, caring, safe, and clean environment where each child can thrive. My staff and I are CPR, First Aid, and MAT (EPIPEN) certified, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care for your little ones. At Lifeskills Montessori Daycare, Fairfax, we are more than just a child care facility — we are a community. We understand the trust you place in us when you leave your child in our care, and we are dedicated to providing a warm, friendly, and stimulating environment where they can grow and thrive.
Curriculum & Activities
Montessori Program: our curriculum is designed to nurture each child’s individual growth and development. We provide a variety of activities that promote physical, emotional, and social growth. Children engage in hands-on learning experiences, both indoors and outdoors, fostering their curiosity and love for learning. Our indoor facility is equipped with Montessori apparatus, pre-Montessori equipment, and infant toys, along with plenty of manipulatives, puzzles, reading, and art materials to help children develop skills like concentration, movement, language, and motor coordination, which are crucial for kids from birth to at least 3 years old. It has provisions to incorporate all 5 Montessori areas: Math, Language, Sensorial, exercises of practical life, and general knowledge. In addition, we have a book corner and a great storehouse of puzzles and manipulatives. Our huge tree-lined backyard with outdoor equipment is a child’s dream, offering endless opportunities for exploration and play. A professionally hardscaped and landscaped area lovingly maintained to keep the shrubbery in perfect condition! Daily Activities: children at Lifeskills Montessori Daycare enjoy a balanced mix of educational and recreational activities. We offer story time, music, arts and crafts, and plenty of outdoor play. At Lifeskills Montessori Daycare, our kids enjoy music, indoor and outdoors, through a sophisticated audio system from Bose. In addition to English, we can communicate in Punjabi, Urdu and Spanish. This multilingual environment enriches their learning experience and helps them develop a broader understanding of different cultures. Thank you for considering Lifeskills Montessori Daycare for your child care needs. We can't wait to meet you and your little ones!

Parent Reviews

Zoya T.
Verified Parent
Posted 2 months ago
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We have been so happy with the love and care at Lifeskills! all the teachers are so loving towards the kids and they have so much fun, our daughter never wants to leave! the kids spend a lot of time outside in the beautiful backyard. The facility is clean and tidy. we truly feel blessed that we found such a wonderful place for our daughter!
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Omer S.
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Posted 2 months ago
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Our LO has been with Lifeskills Montessori since she was 4 months and currently 19 months. It is literally her second home. We had a lot of anxiety on selecting a daycare but Maliha and company made the transition so easy. There is a wonderful garden where the kids play and inside are plenty of Montessori works the kids learn with. Fun music, and delicious snacks, there are so many reasons she wants to stay past pick up times!
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Jonathan T.
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Posted 2 months ago
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It has been wonderful watching our little guy grow from the little baby to a toddler running around learning life skills under Ms. Mahlia and her team. He continues to have adventures every day at school from the various toys, books, and summer water adventures. Special thanks to Ms. Helen and Ms. Maria (and Ms. Sahbi) who share their stories of his antics— you know they are just as invested in him and share your joy in being a part of his... more
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Nicole S.
Verified Parent
Posted 3 months ago
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We have nothing but great things to say about Lifeskills. We were on a wait list for six months but it was well worth the wait. The instructors take wonderful care of the kids and the owner is so genuine and intentional about the learning programs they design. The space is extremely clean, each kid has their own cubbie, they have so many activities to engage and learn every single day. What we love the most is how much outside time the kids... more
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Diana B.
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Posted 3 months ago
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Lifeskills Montessori has been an amazing place for our little one. Since day one, everybody made him feel welcome. Ms. Maliha and her team are passionate and experienced educators that understand the needs of our little one and help him grow, and learn new things every day. We are very lucky to have found them!
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Joseph J.
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Posted 3 months ago
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Our family has used Lifeskills Montessori as a daycare and school for both of our daughters. We investigated multiple home based and traditional day cares in the Fairfax area and Lifeskills Montessori exceeded all others when it came to cleanliness, meal plan, education, knowledge and care for children, and cost. There is nothing more important than the care of your children; we have entrusted our children to be cared by Lifeskills Montessori... more
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Sanaa T.
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Posted 3 months ago
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We could not recommend the experience our family has had and continues to have with Lifeskills, more! As a very anxious first time mom, finding a daycare was not an easy process. Lifeskills from the get go - from the first tour to our first day and 3 years later - has made us feel welcomed and has given us peace of mind that our child is loved, cared for, and nurtured equipped with a curriculum for every stage my child is enrolled. We call it... more
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Katie T.
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Posted 3 months ago
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my daughter has been coming here a little over two years and we have been so grateful for the care she gets. she learns new skills each week, makes friends with her peers and even the smaller kids, and enjoys her time.
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Amanda M.
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Posted 1 year ago
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Lifeskills Montessori has truly been the best place for our little one to develop critical skills while also being lovingly cared for and nurtured. From the minute I first set foot in the beautiful outdoor space, I knew it would be great for our family. It is a cozy environment that feels like home, coupled with the structure and engagement of a school. My son's vocabulary has exploded, his coordination is excellent, and even though he's very... more
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Courtney M.
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Posted 3 years ago
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We LOVE Lifeskills Montessori. My daughter has been attending since 4 months and is now almost 2. Maliha, Sabi, and Helen are the most loving women, and I know they are taking the best care of my little girl. They nurture her in every way, teaching her according to classic Montessori ways so that she is already becoming so independent! She loves going to school and happily greets everyone each morning. It can be hard to leave your baby, but I... more
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Valerie S.
Verified Parent
Posted 4 years ago
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Our son has been at Lifeskills since he was about 10 months old. When we first moved to the area, we had a hard time finding a place where we felt he was engaged and cared for, and from the first day we came to tour Lifeskills, we knew we found a place that would work for us. As parents with demanding full time jobs, it is a relief to know our child is in excellent care while we are away. He is thriving - knows a ton of words, eats well, and... more
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Sarah N.
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Posted 4 years ago
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Our son has been going to Lifeskills Montessori Daycare since he was just shy of 3 months old and we have been incredibly happy with them. Before selecting Lifeskills, we looked at a lot of daycares in the area and Lifeskills is the only daycare we were comfortable with that met all of our needs. From the moment we started our tour there, we knew it was the right place for us to send our son. As new parents, we were struggling with getting our... more
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Anna F.
Verified Parent
Posted 5 years ago
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Our son has been attending Lifeskills since he was eight months old, and we could not be happier with his care and growth. He had a lot of separation anxiety at the beginning and Ms. Maliha and the other teachers were and continue to be unfailingly patient and loving with him. Beyond that, he has grown exponentially both in physical ability, social development, and language skills, and we credit all of that to the warm, nurturing, and creative... more
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Claire M.
Verified Parent
Posted 5 years ago
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We are so glad to have found Lifeskills Montessori! My son has been at Lifeskills since he was 4 months old and has thrived in the care of Maliha and the other teachers. As a new mom who was nervous to go back to work and put my son in daycare, it gives me such peace of mind to know that my son is spending his weekdays in a place where he is safe, happy, stimulated and loved. He is so excited to see his teachers and his friends each day. Maliha... more
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Steve K.
Verified Parent
Posted 5 years ago
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We feel very grateful to send my baby to Lifeskills Montessori. We started sending our daughter since last October when she turend 5 months old. As this is my first child, I was soo worried to send my baby at that young age. She’s now over 9months old, and our experience with Lifeskills Montessori is great. Maliha and teachers are the most thankful people for me right now. They all care my daughter from the bottom of their heart, and I can feel... more
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Maddy W.
Verified Parent
Posted 5 years ago
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We have been very happy with our experience at Lifeskills Montessori. We looked at many in-home daycares and centers when searching for care for our son, and were impressed by the clean and bright facilities at Lifeskills (with amazing outdoor space) and Ms. Maliha’s professionalism and passion for teaching and the Montessori method. We receive a daily report of diapers/naps/feeding/events and periodic updates with Ms. Maliha’s observations of... more
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Maria B.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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I cannot begin to express how grateful we are to Maliha and all of the teachers at Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare. Our daughter was cared for at home until the age of 2 and she had an extremely difficult transition at her first daycare, one that was recommended by a close friend. While searching for a new provider, we were immediately drawn to how warm, inviting and friendly the space is at Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare. Maliha provides a... more
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Nicole W.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 6 years ago
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Sending our daughter to Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare has been the best decision we could have made for her. She is in a safe place where she is loved and nurtured. Ms. Maliha and her providers have been fantastic and are like aunties for our daughter. We don’t have much in the way of family- so this is it for her. In addition to feeling like family, they provide her structure to learn and plenty of space to grow. We truly could not have... more
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Caitlin N.
Verified Parent
Posted 6 years ago
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After an exhasutive daycare search in Fairfax, we found Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare and are incredibly glad we did. Our son began at 6 months and is still enrolled and thriving at 18 months. The facilities are clean, safe, and lots of outdoor space for the children to play with. They also have special activities for the kids when the weather is warmer. My son is also developing incredibly well and is learning new things everyday. I would... more
2 out of 2 think this review is helpful
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Allison K.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 6 years ago
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I have had two children at Ms. Maliha’s preschool/daycare. In fact, by the time we had had our youngest, we had moved farther away, but drove an extra 20 minutes each way for three years so my daughter could come here. Ms. Maliha is Montessori certified, and the curriculum is Montessori based, and includes lots of outdoor time. There are plenty of quality toys and books. In addition to herself, Ms, Maliha has a consistent group of loving,... more
2 out of 2 think this review is helpful
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Kristy H.
Verified Parent
Posted 7 years ago
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Choosing the right daycare is one of the hardest choices to make. We visited several, both in-home and corporate centers and Lifeskills Montessori & Daycare was definitely the best. It is so clear that they love the kids. As I met parents during pick-up/drop off they couldn't help but tell me how happy they were they found Lifeskills and there are so many times that I saw other kids have near tantrums because they didn't want to leave (we... more
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Carolyn B.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 7 years ago
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Both of our children attend Lifeskills Montessori School and Daycare and we are very happy with the program. My children learn so much while there and enjoy spending time at Lifeskills. We couldn't be more pleased with Maliha and the environment she has created for our children. Lifeskills has our highest recommendation.
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Michelle L.
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Posted 7 years ago
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Our son has been going to Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare since he was 5 months old. He is 13 months now and we have been grateful every day that he is in such a warm, loving, and safe environment! Maliha is amazing to work with and she runs the daycare beautifully. The teachers are wonderful with the kids as well. The kids play outside for hours a day in her beautiful backyard. Every week our son comes home having learned something else, it... more
3 out of 3 think this review is helpful
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Olivia B.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 8 years ago
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My son started at Lifeskills in March 2016, when he was 16 months old, and it has been a great experience. His cognitive and language development have improved leaps and bounds, and he generally comes home a tired (in a good way), happy kiddo. The program is a good mix of structured learning activities and also free play time (which is so important). What I appreciate most is that Mrs. Maliha gives each child the room to express themselves and... more
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Jennifer G.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 8 years ago
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Our son started attending Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare when he was just under 3 months old. When we first started, Maliha and the other teachers made us feel at ease. Maliha provided helpful tips and advice when we were a little unsure of certain things, which was reassuring as first time parents. The daily report and weekly summary she provides is great and also helps us with his weekend schedule. The daycare facility itself, which is... more
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Shari B.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 8 years ago
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Wait list - I was pleased with the communication while my daughter was added tot he wait list. Maliha was very responsive and ensured that when a spot became available, we were notified. Searching for childcare is daunting, Maliha took a lot of the pressure off by keeping in contact with us. Safety - I am very comfortable with the safety of my child at Lifeskills. Maliha continues to make updates to the property which is impressive. Care... more
1 out of 2 thinks this review is helpful
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Kimberly W.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 8 years ago
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Our two children attend Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare. It's nice to be able to have them around each other during the day and playing in a comfortable and engaging environment with other children of varied ages; you wouldn't have such an opportunity at a typical daycare center. The facility is inviting and the importance or outdoor play is recognized. Our oldest child who's 2 years old, knows the pledge of allegiance and loves holding... more
3 out of 3 think this review is helpful
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Rebecca S.
Verified Parent
Posted 8 years ago
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Maliha has been the provider for all three of my kids, I cannot recommend her enough! She is just the type of person you want caring for your kids; loving, trusting, patient, professional, intelligent, steady, organized, and clean - I could keep going! She is truly fond of kids and understands them well. Maliha is also very reliable and rarely ever closes, except for major holidays. The set-up at Lifeskills is great, with a baby room, learning... more
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Jennifer S.
Verified Parent
Posted 8 years ago
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My son has been attending Lifeskills for the past 6 months and we are very happy with it! It is a very calm and nurturing environment. Highlights include the nutritious meals that Maliha cooks herself and ample opportunities for outdoor play in her huge backyard. We are so glad to have found Lifeskills!
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Julie R.
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Posted 8 years ago
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We started our son here at 4 months old until he turned 1year, when we moved out of state. He grew and developed so much with Mrs. Maliha. He never wanted to leave when it was time to go home. We miss her very much.
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Sarah N.
Verified through Facebook
Posted 9 years ago
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Without hesitation, I highly recommend Ms. Maliha and Lifeskills Montessori & Daycare for your childcare needs. For the past 16 months, Lifeskills Montessori has been my son’s second home, and our experiences there have been overwhelmingly positive. My son has exceeded his developmental goals in large part because of the structured but individualized learning environment provided by Lifeskills Montessori and Ms. Maliha. As an example, my... more
6 out of 6 think this review is helpful
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Heather P.
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Posted 9 years ago
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Our son has been attending LifeSkills Montessori for over the past year. He started at one and at two he has learned so many great skills. Maliha and her staff pay attention to each child individually and works with them to make sure they succeed. He loves going to school, learning new things, and playing with the friends he makes there. We also love LifeSkills because our son as the ability to interact with children both younger and older... more
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Lori D.
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Posted 9 years ago
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Our son has been attending Lifeskills for over a year and we are beyond impressed and happy with every aspect! The Montessori program is fantastic and he is currently learning and expanding his knowledge and skills. He loves his teachers and they are loving and attentive. Maliha is great at communicating needs, requests, etc. my son has a great group of friends here as well and we find the environment incredibly beneficial.
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Alison M.
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Posted 9 years ago
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My sons have been educated and nurtured and cheered and so, so loved by Maliha. She and her family are now my family and vice-versa. When you need a place where you can TRUST the caregivers implicitly with the care of your child, choose Lifeskills. Every time.
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Sarah M.
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Posted 10 years ago
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Our daughter has been at Lifeskills Montessori & Daycare for nearly 2.5 years now and all of us love it. She's learning much more through the Montessori program than I could have ever expected. The staff is very caring and loving. The children are always doing new and fun activities. The space is great inside and out. A wonderful environment for fun & learning!
2 out of 3 think this review is helpful
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Sven R.
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Posted 10 years ago
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Our son has been attending this day care since he was five months old, and now he will be turning two at the end of this month. My wife and I have been very happy with this daycare, our son always has a smile on his face and learns a lot from the teachers there. We couldn't ask for a better home daycare experience than this!
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Bo H.
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Posted 10 years ago
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Wonderful place and teachers here. And other kids and parents are awesome too~
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Autumn Y.
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Posted 10 years ago
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My 2 1/2 daughter has been attending Lifeskills Montessori and Daycare since she was four months old, and there is nobody else that I would trust more to be responsible for her care and development. My daughter adores her teachers, and they have treated her like she is a member of their families. I have been very impressed with the meals and the facilities, and also with the Montessori approach to learning. My daughter knows her letters,... more
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Contact This Program For Free
Meet The Staff
Home-based
Home-based
Hours
7:30am - 6:00pm
Ages
6 weeks - 5 years
Kindergarten
No
Accreditation
No
Meals Provided
Yes
Transportation
No
Facilities
  Fenced Facilities
  Playground
  Multipurpose Room
  Library
  Vegetable Garden
  Pavilion
  Field
  Indoor and outdoor Bose music system