We’ve partnered with SPARK Expert Enrichment to bring Math, Reading, Yoga, Art, and Public Speaking directly to MCC after-school—no extra stops required!

About Us

Family Owned and Operated

Montessori Children’s Center (MCC) is a family owned and operated cluster of Montessori centers, situated across the Northern Virginia metropolitan area. Specifically, the centers are located in Herndon, VA, Centreville, VA and Ashburn, VA

​​Established more than thirty years ago, MCC has grown into Washington Metro area’s leading early childhood educator. MCC has constantly insisted on taking a holistic approach to delivering hands on pre-school education. 

Toddler Program Image

Our Programs

infant image

Infant Program

(Ages 6 weeks - 18 months)

"The first few months of life is very essential, and the objective of the caregiver is to create a loving, safe, and secure environment. This is the most important period in your child’s life, and it is our goal to nurture your child’s abilities,"

ENHANCING TODDLERS MONTESSRI AT MCC

Toddler Program

(18 months–3 yrs)

"In our toddler classroom, your child will be surrounded by loving, nurturing teachers who are thoroughly trained in child development. They create a peaceful, supportive, and safe environment for our youngest learners."

MCC PRIMARY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

Primary / Preschool Program

(Ages 3–5 yrs)

"The ages three to six are the initial stages of development. The individual personalities, interests, likes and dislikes of children are, at this age, fully expressed by the child themselves- in their own independent manner."

Kindergarten kid practicing math's skills

Kindergarten Program

(Ages 5–6 years)

"Montessori Children’s Center has a fantastic and a wonderful Kindergarten program. The kindergarten program in MCC emphasizes learning through discovery at the child’s own pace. Students will pursue all academic disciplines with concrete materials that will pursue abstract principles in the later part of the year."

Before and after care

Before & After School Care

(Ages 6–12 yrs)

"The MCC Before and After Program offer the perfect balance of fun, learning, and enrichment all within a safe and nurturing environment."

Kids enjoying the summer camp

Summer Camp

"Our Summer Camp runs from mid-June to mid-August at all our locations, providing FCPS and LCPS students with the opportunity to enjoy a fun and engaging summer experience and we’re open Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 6 PM."

What Parents Say

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Mawuli Vodi profile picture
Mawuli Vodi
1886 days ago
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The kids love it here and love all of the teachers.
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Maria addante profile picture
Maria addante
459 days ago
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This has been a wonderful school with great structure and versatility. It is always clean and cheerful with decorations for each holiday. The teachers are on point with the children and only wish I had started sooner
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Tanya Mots profile picture
Tanya Mots
2784 days ago
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I have had two kids go here and have thrived. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. They have after school activities as additional options, but their overall activities the kids partake I have really appreciated. Overall very welcoming and attentive to my children needs.
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Mia Drane Maury profile picture
Mia Drane Maury
3253 days ago
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Since starting at Montessori Children’s Center as a shy but precocious 4-year-old, my daughter has grown so much. Now 6, she has blossomed socially, made great strides in reading and math, and become more mature and self-sufficient. MCC’s teachers, including my daughter’s teachers Ms. Farhana and Ms. Elsa, do a great job of nurturing the whole child. I was drawn to the school because of its dedication to fostering a love of learning in its students using the Montessori method, but we stayed through kindergarten because of the quality of the instruction and staff. It’s not an understatement to say that MCC Centreville feels like our extended family and I would definitely recommend the school to anyone looking to instill a lifelong love of learning in their children.
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Iryna Passerini profile picture
Iryna Passerini
180 days ago
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Both of my daughters have attended Montessori Children’s Center in Centreville—my oldest from age 3 through 6, and my youngest from infancy to present. We have been extremely happy with our experience and are so glad we chose this school. The teachers truly meet children where they are and provide a safe, loving, and supportive environment. One thing that really stands out is the consistency—over the past five years, we have not experienced teacher turnover, which speaks volumes about the stability and quality of the program. The school is very professionally run, with clear and consistent communication. The director regularly shares updates on logistics, and teachers keep parents informed about their child’s progress and development. Academically, the program is very strong. Both of my children were more than prepared for kindergarten. The curriculum is also well-rounded and enriching—the school embraces different cultures and exposes children to a variety of subjects, including Spanish, yoga, and other engaging activities. Overall, this has been a wonderful experience for our family, and I would highly recommend MCC to anyone looking for a nurturing and academically strong environment for their children.
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Laven Mohamed profile picture
Laven Mohamed
194 days ago
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Our daughter has been at the Montessori Center for three years, and it has always been the best experience for her. She loves it so much! Ms. Rama always goes above and beyond, and Ms. Farhana and Raatna care for the children with so much love. Thank you very much for everything you do!
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Michael Hutcherson profile picture
Michael Hutcherson
2993 days ago
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Our children are 15 years apart, it was not a difficult decision to determine were our daughter would develop her learning. Our son had obtained great organizational and social skills from Montessori Children Center in Centreville and the longevity of maintaining some good staff members during this time from our son attendance and learning; only made the future look brighter for our daughter to follow in her big brother footsteps, but also made it more comfortable for us as parent with who we trusted to help mode our child’s education. Our daughter has surprised us on days with what she has learned, understanding healthy food choices of to eat, who she socializes with and continues to work on these skills when she comes home. On days away or on holidays; she will express the void of missing her educators. The class room teacher/directors provided recommendations to help prepare our children for the next level of classes and academic environments.
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Anila Chowdhury profile picture
Anila Chowdhury
3993 days ago
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I can't praise MCC enough. This one is located right across Floris Church and School on Centerville Road (near Frying Pan Farm). My eldest went there for 7 months only (Jan-July 2015) right before starting her Kindergarten and she was reading Grade 1 books. Before that she could put words together but nothing close to reading. She was doing double digit maths and knew many science/ geography/ history related things. They took kids to Cox Farms, Frying Pan farms, and Science Centers. They have a big play yard at the back and the kids are never unsupervised. They offer ballet, painting and soccer courses as well. During summer they had water slides, baking class, outdoor slides, field trips. This is one of the best pre-schools in the area. My 2nd kid just started going there and I will send my 3rd kid as well once she reaches 3 yrs. The administrators and teachers are friendly and very professional. With 3 kids under 5 I have experienced a lot of childcare centers and I am very happy with this one. Highly recommend!
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Valerie Vitale profile picture
Valerie Vitale
2867 days ago
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MCC is a great choice for your kiddos! The small classroom size is a major plus as the children really get to know each other well, this also promotes a great relationship between your child and their primary teacher. The building is dated and is need of some repairs - whenever it would rain there was a leak from our child's classroom ceiling.
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William Hawkins profile picture
William Hawkins
421 days ago
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This school is amazing. Our son was here from infant to two years old before we moved. They treated him and us like family, and they helped raise our son to be a moral kid, with a great attitude that is kind to others. Beyond that, he is advanced now in his learning and knows two languages going into years old. I highly recommend this school to everyone! Exceptional people that have high moral standards for themselves and our child!
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Cathleen Gehrke profile picture
Cathleen Gehrke
4534 days ago
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My family and I love this school!!! My son attended this school until this past fall when he started Kindergarten and his teachers can definitely tell the difference between him and his other peers in class. He is way ahead of the curve with his reading, writing and math skills. He shows confidence when taking on assignments in and out of the classroom. The staff from the Montessori Children's Center went above and beyond to prepare my son for his educational future. My daughter is currently attending this school and we couldn't be happier with the progress she is making. She is also reading, writing and practicing math skill well beyond other children her age that we know who are in enrolled in other schools. I would, and have, highly recommended the Montessori Children's Center to anyone I know with children or who are planning on having children. The teachers and their assistants are fantastic! They are always available anytime I have questions or want to talk about my child's progress. The administrative is superb! They are quick to respond anytime I have a request or need information from them. If you are looking for a dependable, caring and warm environment for your children, this is the place!
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Sushma Hyndavi Theeda profile picture
Sushma Hyndavi Theeda
1790 days ago
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Great faculty and well structured program.
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Aravind Ashwin profile picture
Aravind Ashwin
438 days ago
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🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You to the Montessori Children Center Herndon Team 🌟 We are having a truly wonderful experience with Montessori Children Center in Herndon, and I wanted to take a moment to express our deep appreciation for the incredible staff and the nurturing environment they’ve created. đŸ‘©â€đŸ« Exceptional Teaching Staff: The teachers at MCC are nothing short of amazing. Their dedication to each child’s growth—both academically and emotionally—is evident in every interaction. They truly understand the Montessori philosophy and bring it to life with patience, creativity, and warmth. Our child has blossomed under their guidance, developing independence, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning. đŸ« Thoughtful School Management: The administrative team specifically Ms. Smitha runs the school with professionalism and care. Communication is always clear and timely, and they are incredibly responsive to questions or concerns. The school is well-organized, and it’s clear that every decision is made with the children’s best interests in mind. đŸŒ± Nurturing Environment: The classrooms are beautifully maintained, calm, and inviting—perfect for focused learning and exploration. The materials are always age-appropriate and encourage hands-on discovery. The outdoor play areas are safe and engaging, giving children the space to move, play, and connect with nature.. 💖 A Place That Feels Like Family: Most importantly, the love and care the staff shows for each child is palpable. Our child feels safe, valued, and excited to go to school each day—and as parents, that means everything. Thank you to the entire team at Montessori Children Center Herndon for your unwavering commitment to excellence. You’ve created a place where children thrive, and we’re so grateful to be part of your community. Best wishes , Ashwin
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ratna kumari profile picture
ratna kumari
193 days ago
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My daughter has had a wonderful experience at this Montessori school.Even though she is not yet two years old, she is already about 90% potty trained and has become very independent. One thing we truly appreciate is how much the teachers encourage independence. My daughter started eating by herself when she was only 16 months old, and her teachers have done a great job helping her develop good eating habits. Her teacher Ms Lock has been amazing from the infant classroom until now as she moved to the Little Montessori class. Ms Laven has also been wonderful in supporting her potty training and daily development. The biggest asset for parents is the director Ms.Rama She is fabulous and always provides great hospitality and support for families. It is clear that the school truly cares about both the children and the parents. We are very happy with our experience and grateful for such caring teachers and leadership.
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Purva A profile picture
Purva A
99 days ago
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MCC has been part of our son’s life for over 3.5 years now. We researched a lot of schools in the area before enrolling him here and YES it was the best decision ! He has been a part of the MCC since he was just about 2 years old. The teachers right from baby and toddler classes to his current classes are just phenomenal ! As a mom of one child, leaving him with Miss Martha was a breeze. The toddler teachers are loving, attentive, curriculum oriented, creative and go above and beyond for the kids. The school director Miss Smitha is extremely focused on a balanced child development. The result - the school has very good events all around the year, keeping the kids interested and excited year round. They also make sure parent involvement and communication is perfect which makes my life as a toddler mom super easy. Their summer camps each year have been super organized, exciting and fun as well as stem focused. They are a nut free school with Food being balanced, non repetitive and interesting year round. After he turned 4+ his teachers Miss Salmah and Miss Manjeet focused on his overall development, his math and reading basics as well as art / science introductions and now when he is ready to join elementary he is able to do double digit additions and subtractions !! My child has flourished to grow into an happy smart kid in their hands. Thank you for the care and memories MCC !! Overall I cannot recommend this school enough.

Imagine, Think and Learn

Exploration Based Learning

Fulltime Preschool and Daycare

Teachers Orchestrate Learning

Our Locations

MCC Ashburn

MCC Centreville

MCC Herndon

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of Hot Lunch Program do you provide?

We have the option of children bringing lunch from home or they could choose the hot lunch program offered by the school from a catering company that most schools use. The food comes with an entrée, a side of fruit and a side of vegetables or salad.

Is MCC preschool accredited and licensed?

Yes, Montessori Children’s Center is Accredited and is a licensed preschool catering to the ages as young as 6 weeks old to 6 years old. We also have the privileges to cater to children up to 12 years of age in our Before & After Care and in our Summer Camp programs.

How do you select the right preschool for your child?

Montessori Children’s Center welcomes any family looking for a preschool for their child/children. We offer daily tours to the families. We try to gauge and understand the needs of the parents which helps us explaining those key points during the tour. During the time of the tour, we take utmost time explaining the process and the daily routine by giving them a tour of our school. The parents get to meet and greet the experienced staff, can interact with the teachers, take a closer look at the classroom, understanding the Montessori materials and the functioning of the classroom. and show them all about our school makes the process of selecting our school that will best suit their child/children.

Is potty training needed before joining preschool?

At MCC, children who are attending the infant program (6 weeks – 18 months) and toddler program (18months – 3 years) don’t have to be potty trained. However, the potty-training process starts anywhere between the ages of 18 months – 3 years of age entirely depending on the child and our staff follow the child. Our primary classroom’s requirement (3 years – 6 years) that the child must be potty trained. We do accept children who are not potty trained above the age of 3 years. but will start them in our toddler classroom to get potty trained to move to the primary classroom.

What is your School’s approach to Discipline?

Montessori Children’s Center’s takes a different approach to discipline, children do receive discipline, but they are also given freedom within limits. Grace and Courtesy is an important lesson plan incorporated in our Montessori curriculum. Grace and Courtesy lessons are essentially teaching the children what it means to be polite and how to appropriately communicate his or her feelings. MCC Teachers treat children with respect and trust them to learn from the mistakes that they make. Discipline is not obedience but self-discipline. That’s why we do not use time out chairs, color-coded behavior charts, demerits, treasure chests, or other rewards and punishments to control our students’ behaviors. Our goal for the children is to make the children understand what the problem is and the possible solutions to it all through verbal communications.