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Enroll in Concord's Premier Spanish Bilingual Montessori Preschool

Give Your Child the Gift of Two Languages and a Love of Learning.

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Serving Families Throughout Contra Costa County

Our Concord campus welcomes families from Walnut Creek • Pleasant Hill • Clayton • Martinez • Pittsburg • Antioch • Bay Point • Pacheco • Clyde

Why Families Choose Holding Hands Montessori

True Bilingual Education

Our unique weekly language rotation immerses children fully in both Spanish and English, fostering natural fluency and cognitive development that lasts a lifetime.

Nonprofit, Affordable Excellence

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide premium Montessori education at accessible prices. Tuition assistance available through CalWORKs and CocoKids programs.

Small Class Sizes Matter

With an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio (and never more than 15 children per classroom), every child receives personalized attention and support.

Experienced, Certified Educators

Our director brings over 15 years of Montessori classroom experience and holds a Master's in Education with Montessori emphasis.

Programs Designed for Growing Minds

Preschool Program (Ages 2-4)

Your child's first step into independence. Through hands-on Montessori materials, children explore practical life skills, sensory development, early math and language concepts, and cultural studies - all in both Spanish and English.

Schedule Options: 2, 3, or 5 days per week
Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

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Pre-Kindergarten Program (Ages 4-5)

Preparing confident, capable learners for elementary success. Our mixed-age classroom environment allows children to learn from peers while developing advanced skills in literacy, mathematics, science, and critical thinking.

Full-day program with extended learning
Spanish-English bilingual instruction

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Kindergarten Program (Ages 5-6)

A complete Montessori kindergarten experience that exceeds traditional school standards. Morning mixed-age sessions build social skills and independence, while afternoon focused academics ensure first-grade readiness.

Academic excellence meets bilingual fluency
Smooth transition to elementary school

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After-School Enrichment (Ages 4-6)

For children attending other schools, our after-school program extends the learning day with meaningful activities, homework support, creative expression, and continued Spanish-English development.

Available for currently enrolled and external students

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What Parents Are Saying About Us

The Bilingual Advantage

At Holding Hands Montessori, we make bilingualism natural and joyful through our weekly language rotation—one week fully in English, the next fully in Spanish. This immersive approach allows children to think, play, and learn authentically in both languages.

Research consistently shows that bilingual children develop:

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills and Cognitive Flexibility

Bilingual children excel at switching between different tasks and perspectives. When a child learns that "water" and "agua" represent the same concept, their brain develops the ability to see multiple solutions to problems. This mental flexibility translates into creative thinking and adaptability—skills that benefit every area of learning, from mathematics to social situations.

Improved Memory and Attention Span

Learning two languages strengthens working memory like a mental workout. Bilingual children show enhanced ability to focus, filter out distractions, and remember sequences of information. For example, a child who can recall the steps to pour water in both English and Spanish develops stronger memory pathways that support all academic learning, from following multi-step math problems to remembering classroom routines.

Greater Cultural Awareness and Empathy

Speaking Spanish opens doors to understanding diverse perspectives, traditions, and ways of thinking. Children who learn about Día de los Muertos alongside Halloween, or who hear folktales from Spain, Mexico, and Central America, develop genuine appreciation for cultural differences. This early exposure builds empathy and comfort in diverse settings—essential skills for our interconnected world.

Academic Advantages That Extend Through Elementary School and Beyond

Studies show bilingual children outperform monolingual peers in reading comprehension, standardized tests, and critical thinking assessments. The metalinguistic awareness gained from understanding two language systems helps children grasp grammar, decode unfamiliar words, and understand abstract concepts more easily. By third grade, bilingual students often read at higher levels in both languages.

Career Opportunities in an Increasingly Global World

Speaking Spanish—the second most spoken language globally with 559 million speakers—opens professional doors throughout life. From healthcare to business, education to technology, bilingual professionals earn higher salaries and access more opportunities. Starting this journey at age two or three makes fluency effortless, giving your child a competitive advantage that compounds over decades.

Stronger Executive Function and Self-Control

Bilingual children demonstrate superior executive function—the brain's ability to plan, organize, and self-regulate. When children switch between Spanish week and English week, they're practicing cognitive control and mental discipline. Research shows this translates into better impulse control, improved emotional regulation, and stronger ability to delay gratification—skills that predict success in school and life.

Transparent, Affordable Tuition

As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to make high-quality bilingual Montessori education accessible to all families in our community.

Flexible Schedule Options

2-Day Program: Perfect for families wanting a gentle introduction
3-Day Program: Balanced learning and home time
5-Day Program: Full immersion for maximum benefit

Additional fees:

  • One-time enrollment fee: $100
  • Monthly diapering assistance (if under 3 or not potty trained)

Financial Assistance Available

We partner with:

  • CalWORKs subsidies for eligible families
  • CocoKids eligibility programs
  • Flexible payment plans
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The Montessori Difference

The Montessori method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over 100 years ago, recognizes that children learn best through:

Self-Directed Exploration

Children choose activities that interest them, fostering intrinsic motivation and a genuine love of learning.

Hands-On Learning

Specially designed Montessori materials make abstract concepts concrete, allowing children to discover mathematical and linguistic principles through manipulation and experimentation.

Mixed-Age Classrooms

Younger children learn from older peers, while older children reinforce their knowledge by teaching - just like in a family.

Respect for Development

We follow the child's natural development, introducing concepts when each individual is ready rather than on a fixed timeline.

Practical Life Skills

From pouring water to preparing snacks, children develop coordination, concentration, independence, and self-confidence through meaningful real-world activities.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need to be potty trained?

No! We support each child's toilet learning journey respectfully and in partnership with families. A small monthly fee applies for diapering assistance.

How is Montessori different from play-based preschool?

Montessori preschools offer a structured, child-led environment emphasizing independence, concentration, and practical life skills. Children choose purposeful activities and work at their own pace, guided by trained observers. Paramount to the Montessori classroom is the feature that it is a mixed-age classroom, with children ages 2 ½ – 6 years old sharing the same space and working together.

Play-based preschools promote unstructured play and social development through imaginative areas like blocks or dramatic play. Teachers join in play to support creativity and collaboration.

What if we don't speak Spanish at home?

Perfect! Many of our families are English-only at home. Children absorb languages naturally at this age, and our immersive approach makes Spanish acquisition effortless.

How does the weekly language rotation work?

We alternate full weeks. During an English week, all instruction, songs, stories, and conversations happen in English. The following week, everything switches to Spanish. This deep immersion allows children to truly think in both languages.

Can we meet the teachers before enrolling?

Absolutely! After applying, we schedule a classroom visit where your child can explore the environment and you'll meet our teaching team.

What's your student-to-teacher ratio?

We maintain an 8:1 ratio with a maximum of 15 students and 2 teachers. In rare cases, this may temporarily reach 12:1, but never higher.

Are you affiliated with a religion?

While we're located on the grounds of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, we are not affiliated with any religious organization. We respect all faiths and none, and honor the diverse traditions of our student community.


Have more questions?

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Our Spanish Bilingual Montessori Classroom
Our Spanish Bilingual Montessori Classroom
Our Spanish Bilingual Montessori Classroom
Our Outdoor Playspace
Our Outdoor Playspace

Our New Campus: Designed for Discovery

Our brand-new Concord campus features:

  • Thoughtfully prepared Montessori classroom
  • Spacious outdoor play area with nature exploration opportunities
  • Safe, secure facility
  • Convenient Clayton Road location with easy parking
  • Welcoming community atmosphere

Address: 4000 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521

Meet Our Executive Director

Julia Wolfe, M.Ed., Montessori Certified

Julia Wolfe, M.Ed., Montessori Certified

With over 15 years of hands-on Montessori classroom experience, Julia brings deep expertise and genuine passion to early childhood education. She holds a Master's in Education with Montessori emphasis and a Site Supervisor permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Julia founded Holding Hands Montessori after seeing the need for affordable, high-quality Spanish bilingual Montessori education in Contra Costa County.

Her vision: every child deserves access to excellent early education, regardless of family income.

Our Enrollment Process: Simple & Welcoming

Step 1: Schedule a Parent Tour
Visit our campus, meet our team, and learn about our philosophy and programs. Tours available weekday mornings.
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Step 2: Submit Your Application
Complete our simple online application. There's no fee to apply, and we'll respond within 2 business days.
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Step 3: Classroom Visit
After applying, schedule a visit where your child can explore our classroom and meet their future teachers.

Step 4: Enrollment Contract
Once you're ready to enroll, we'll send you a contract to review and sign electronically.

Step 5: Pay the Enrollment Fee and First Month’s Tuition
Pay the one-time $100 enrollment fee and first month's tuition (non-refundable deposit) to reserver your child's spot.

Step 6:  Complete The Enrollment Paperwork
We’ll provide all required forms to complete your child’s enrollment in compliance with California childcare licensing requirements.

Welcome to Our Community!
Prepare for your child's first day!

Ready to Give Your Child the Best Start?

Classes are filling quickly for the 2025-2026 school year. Secure your child's spot in Concord's only Spanish bilingual Montessori program today.

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About Holding Hands Montessori

Holding Hands Montessori is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality Spanish bilingual Montessori education. We don't discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.