Location, Hours & Schedule

We offer one infant classroom for up to 8 children at our Potomac Ave. campus located at 929 Potomac Ave. SE. Set on a peaceful residential street across from the Virginia Ave. Playground and Community Garden, our Potomac campus offers a truly cozy, home-like environment for infants, toddlers and young preschoolers.

Nido Classroom Hours

• 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

All of our programs are five-day-a-week programs. We do not offer the option of partial week schedules.

Daily Rhythm

Each day in the Nido follows a predictable rhythm that honors individual needs and developmental stages. Routines flow gently between caregiving moments, exploration, outdoor experiences, and rest.

• Arrival and greetings
  
  
• Individual work and exploration
  
  
• Feeding and care routines
  
  
• Outdoor time or stroller walks
  
  
• Rest periods
  
  
• Afternoon exploration and pick-up
  
  

We follow each child’s natural rhythm, adjusting for nap and feeding times in collaboration with families and child’s needs.

Feeding & Bottle Care

We value feeding as a sacred moment of connection and trust. Whether by breast or bottle, we follow each child’s individual schedule and home routine.

• Families may provide expressed breast milk, frozen breast milk, or formula.
  
  
• All breast milk must be clearly labeled with the child’s name, date, and time.
  
  
• Frozen milk may be dropped off and stored daily , it will be warmed gently in a bottle warmer before feeding (never microwaved).
  
  
• A can of formula may be kept at school for formula fed babies, clearly labeled, and restocked as needed.
  
  
• Families are asked to provide 3–4 bottles (clearly and boldly labeled) to be kept at school; these will be sanitized nightly by staff.
  
  
• When a child shows readiness for a faster flow or bottle change, a note will be sent home.
  
  

ToTH Montessori is a breastfeeding-friendly environment. Parents are welcome to visit during the day to nurse or feed their child. A calm and comfortable nursing space is always available. We encourage and support families in maintaining their chosen feeding routines with openness and respect.

The classroom follows baby-led weaning principles. When your child begins exploring solids, we will collaborate with you to introduce first foods safely. A simple snack menu will be shared with families, and no common allergens will be introduced at school.

Diapering & Toileting

We support both cloth and disposable diapers.

• Cloth diapers must include a natural disposable liner; we will not rinse diapers at school. Liners will be discarded, and soiled diapers will be sent home in a labeled wet bag each day.
  
  
• Disposable diapers are equally welcome.
  
  
• Families are asked to ensure diapers and diaper creams are replenished regularly. Bring in a pack and we will let you know via text or a note when we need more. 
• Wipes will be provided by ToTH unless the family has a specific preference.
  
  

Early toileting awareness is gently supported when children show interest, often through observation of older peers or imitation.

Rest & Sleep

Infants follow individualized nap schedules based on their home rhythm and developmental needs. Children under six months sleep in assigned cribs; older infants rest on floor beds/pods in a peaceful, monitored sleep area. All bedding is clearly labeled for each child and sent home on Fridays for laundering.
Soft music, gentle lighting, and calm transitions help children rest securely.

Outdoor Time

Infants enjoy daily outdoor experiences — stroller walks or courtyard play — for at least one hour each day, weather permitting. The outdoor space is separate from older children’s play areas and designed for safety and exploration. Fresh air, sunshine, and connection to nature are integral to Montessori education.

Peace of Mind

The term Nido (knee-dough)  means “nest” in Italian, symbolizing warmth, protection, and care. We are honored to partner with your family during this precious first stage of your child’s life. Each infant is regarded as a capable, curious individual who learns through active exploration and loving relationships. Our role is to prepare an environment that allows each child to thrive physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively, while supporting the family as the child’s first teacher.

No need to worry – your infant will be nurtured in a beautiful, safe, and clean environment. From rigorous background checks for teachers, to CPR/First Aid training for all staff, to a comprehensive school emergency plan, rest assured that we have thought of every detail to protect your child’s well-being. 

An Environment Optimized for your Infant

The Nido classroom is designed to feel like a home — peaceful, simple, and safe. Every element is intentionally chosen to support the infant’s natural development and sense of security.



• Movement and Exploration Area: open floor space with soft mats, low mirrors, and sturdy supports that encourage rolling, crawling, pulling up, and safe climbing — helping infants strengthen their bodies and confidence through movement.
  
  
• Practical Life Area: materials and experiences that invite even the youngest infants to participate in real, everyday life. Babies may explore soft cloths with different textures, watch adults care for the environment, practice picking up and carrying lightweight objects, or place toys in a basket. These small beginnings nurture independence, coordination, and a sense of belonging.
  
  
• Language and Music Area: a cozy, quiet space where infants are surrounded by gentle songs, simple stories, rhythm instruments, and daily conversation, building the foundation for joyful language development.
  
  
• Care Area: thoughtfully arranged spaces for diapering, feeding, and rest — designed to promote comfort, hygiene, and respectful one-on-one interactions between adult and child.
  
  
• Breastfeeding Space: a soft, comforting area available at all times for nursing parents who wish to feed or reconnect with their child during the day, supporting continuity between home and school.

Close Communication with You

Crawling. First words. Walking. What was impossible yesterday seems easy today. We celebrate these milestones and keep in close communication with you to ensure we are always doing what is best for your child’s development. We utilize Procare for tracking meals, naps, and diaper changes for infants in the Nido.

Well Trained Professionals

Our infant classroom is led by credentialed Montessori infant/toddler guide. The teacher training for Montessori guides is a thorough education in child development from birth to age three and prepares the teacher to create an optimal program for your child. More than just a job – our Montessori teachers have a career of choice because of their love for infants, their interest in Montessori education, and their unwavering commitment to do what is best for children.

Adults: 1, Children: 4

Infants can never have too much love, care, and affection. To ensure your child receives personalized attention, our infant program provides one adult for every four children. The Nido classroom can have up to only eight infants enrolled with two dedicated teachers and our campus floating teacher providing support as needed.

Trust through Consistency

Your infant is sensitive to change and routine, and we make every effort to ensure consistency to help your child feel safe and comfortable. Our program is offered on a five-day schedule only, so your little one will be with the same children and adults every day. Sleep and eating schedules are based on your child’s individual needs, which are carefully observed and documented for communication with you when you return.

Part of a Larger Educational Community

Children typically remain in the Nido until they are walking confidently and are developmentally ready to transition into one of our toddler classrooms — usually between 15 and 18 months. If a child shows strong independence and mobility earlier, they may transition closer to 15 months; if walking develops later, they may remain in the Nido until 18 months, or until confidently mobile, whichever comes first.

Our school provides a continuum of Montessori education and your child will have a seamless transition to the Toddler Classroom. Planned well in advance, this process is designed to make both you and your child comfortable. A meeting with the new teacher and brief classroom visits in advance of the move facilitate the transition.