Sunny Montessori

Since 2011, children from 18 months to 5 years have attended Sunny Montessori, also called Sunny Learning Center, at 8615 Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena, Maryland. Toddler and primary classrooms share the school. Families can choose a full-day program from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or a Class Only morning from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Lunch and snacks are included and served with water. Parking on the property is free.

Montessori-trained teachers follow a standard Montessori sequence: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Science and Cultural studies, Social Activity, and Art Activity. A STEM Club adds science, technology, engineering, and math work on top of the core materials. The toddler day mixes circle-time group lessons with long blocks of individual work, plus music and movement, indoor and outdoor play, meals, and an afternoon nap. Teachers check in on each child's needs through the day.

The program rests on three pillars: Montessori education, health and wellness, and family engagement. Each child chooses work that holds their interest and repeats activities until they are mastered. That pace suits mixed-readiness learners, including twice-exceptional children and children with language-based learning differences who benefit from self-paced, hands-on materials and small-group or one-to-one attention. Local recognition includes a Best of 2018 listing, a 2023 award, and a Governor's Citation.