Serving Children Ages 18 Months – 5 Years
Beginning Montessori
Where Children Learn and Discover
Bright Kids Montessori Academy
Bright Kids Montessori Academy opened its doors for operation in July 2010. Over the past four years we have proven to the north El Monte communities that our program strives each year to achieve our standards and goals and objectives set for our children there.
We have received strong support from families over the years and each year the Parent Advisory Committee dedicates itself to volunteering as classroom helpers and assistants, raising funds for school equipment and field trips and helping staff prepare and manage school events.
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Please tell us about yourself
Beginning Montessori Academy
3970 Maine Avenue
Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Phone: (626) 338-6161
Fax: (626) 338-2770
Welcome to the Beginning Montessori Academy. Our services at the Beginning Montessori Academy commenced in March 2001. Since then our program has been received with great enthusiasm by the community. Our program has grown to be recognized and appreciated for its dedication and on-going commitment for providing a high quality Montessori based pre-kindergarten preparation program for preschool aged children.
Parents have always appreciated the program and the special dedication of its staff, and continue to volunteer their time and support daily to display their appreciation. In doing this they also add richness to the classroom and provide a solid foundation which develops a culture around education for their young children.
Many parents return each year with their children who are now alumni of the school to proudly display their wonderful achievements in grade school. Many of them are at the top of their classes and have a level of proficiency in both language and mathematics that is at least one grade higher than the average student
The Staff
Our families have always expressed their joy and gratitude for the quality of services our staff has provided at this school. Our director, Maryam Saeidy, has earned a Montessori Diploma by an accredited institution and a B.A. in Education. She has a Site Supervisor’s Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and over twenty years of experience teaching preschool children. Our teachers, equally, have a minimum A.A. degree in Child Development and possess a minimum Teacher’s Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Beginning Montessori Academy and the Baldwin Park community are fortunate to have such a committed, concerned and dedicated team of teachers to care for the developmental needs of their young children – our future leaders.
Meet the Site Director – Erekha Navaratne
Hello and welcome to Beginning Montessori Academy.
My name is Erekha Navaratne, and I am honored to serve as the Director of Beginning Montessori. I bring with me over 20 years of experience as a Lead Montessori and Preschool Teacher and over 5 years as a Lecturer, in teacher training. I hold an AMI Montessori Diploma, along with accredited qualifications in Childcare Management, Child Development, Special Needs Education, Research Methodologies and a Higher National Diploma in Working with Parents and Children. I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Education, specializing in Early Childhood Education.
My greatest passion is witnessing each child grow into a confident, compassionate, and curious lifelong learner. I am deeply committed to nurturing the whole child; intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically, through an environment that honors their individual rhythm, voice, and potential.
Having worked internationally, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the power of Montessori and preschool education across cultures, and I remain inspired by how it helps children become independent thinkers and respectful, responsible global citizens. I strive to lead with empathy, vision, and a deep respect for the Montessori philosophy and creative curriculum.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy music and play the piano. I also love nature, reading and baking.
At Beginning Montessori, my mission is to guide and support a learning community where children, families, and educators flourish together.
Preschool Programs
We offer both full-day and part-day Montessori preschool services for both private fee-based and State Preschool (income-qualifying) families. The latter is funded by the California Department of Education and the half-day program services are FREE for ALL qualifying families. STARTING JULY, 2014 THERE IS NO LONGER A FEE FOR THE HALF-DAY STATE PRECHOOL PROGRAM. We also offer Transitional Kindergarten. Call for details. Please refer to our fee schedule for families that do “not” qualify for our subsidized programs.
The full-day program is from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We offer two part-day programs. The A.M. program is from 7:45 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.., and the afternoon program is from 12:15 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. The Montessori Only program is from 7:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please visit the school and pick up a daily schedule of activities and program times from our office.
A healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks are served daily.
Summer Camp
This year’s program dates: July 1 – August 15th
Important News & Events
- Veteran’s Day – Nov 10th, School in Session.
- Thanksgiving Break – Nov 27-28.
- Parent Surveys – Nov 3rd -7th.
- Holiday Variety Program Dec. 17th , 6:30 p.m. All parents/families & public.
- Holiday Party – Dec 23rd.
- Dec 24th – School in session, Half Day only
- Winter Break – Dec 25-26.
- Holiday – Jan 1-2.
- School in Session – Jan 5th
- Martin Luther King Day – Jan 19th, school in session.
- Open House – Jan 24th, Saturday, 09:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. All parents/families & open to public.
Resource & Referral Services
We offer a list of referral services to families who are interested in utilizing the benefits of community services at low cost or no cost. We urge families to make an appointment with the Site Supervisor to get more information as needed.