San Mateo · Bay Area · Now Enrolling
Preschool & Infant Care in San Mateo
Now serving the Bay Area — The Modern Schoolhouse brings its Los Angeles-trusted curriculum to San Mateo. A dedicated infant program, small-group instruction, and the whole-child philosophy that has earned 4.9 stars and the trust of hundreds of families across Southern California.
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Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 am – 5:30 pm
Program
Ages 6 weeks – 5 years
License #414005360
Now Enrolling
Why The Modern Schoolhouse?
Welcome to The Modern Schoolhouse, where we recognize the critical importance of the first five years of your child’s life. Our thoughtfully designed, home-like environment, paired with cutting-edge practices, effectively supports your child’s development and helps them realize their full potential.
Curriculum Development
Our in-house curriculum offers students weekly lessons based on a monthly theme, ensuring a rich and diverse learning experience. Each day, we focus on nurturing the whole child through intentional small-group instruction. When families join us, they receive exclusive curriculum materials to reinforce classroom learning and encourage practice at home.
Fostering Connections
At TMS, we understand the significance of staying connected with your child throughout the day, even when you're apart. That's why we focus on building strong relationships in four key areas: Teacher to Child, Teacher to Parent, Teacher to Teacher, and Teacher to Administration.
Continual Improvement
Change is an inherent part of our journey, and our program embraces this truth. Through intentional teaching, we recognize the importance of adapting to the ever-evolving needs of the world — creating the best opportunities for our students to thrive and succeed in a dynamic environment.
Program Overview
Children are provided with a unique and safe educational experience.
With building blocks to become confident, self-trusting, independent leaders, our program challenges students to be successful by nurturing their IQ, EQ, SQ, CQ, and AQ development.
Overview:
Dedicated to fostering children's social-emotional and cognitive development. Our curriculum enables children to recognize social signals, establish positive relationships, and understand personal space through structured activities. We systematically introduce basic sign language to enhance communication skills and track daily word counts to support language development. Our emphasis on outdoor play and motor skills ensures a comprehensive educational experience that promotes both perceptual and motor skill advancement.
Targeted Learning Foundations:
- VISUAL: High Contrast · Tracking (Eye-Movement) · Basic Sign Language
- AUDITORY: Teacher Cues · Verbal Communication · Transitions
- SENSORY: Textures · Sounds · Tasting Foods
- KINESTHETIC: Body Control · Exploring Capacity · Music & Body Movements
Our Foundational Building Blocks
Trusting The Process
Communication
Children are given tools to express themselves in healthy manners from simple conversational skills to problem-solving.
Leadership
Teachers and students model positive behavior, encourage and empower others by influencing the energy in the room.
Self-Regulation
Aware of their emotional zones, students are taught how to restore balance from behavioral and emotional responses.
Problem-Solving
Students are made aware and given techniques to find solutions in situations and conflict that better the outcome.
Mindfulness & Kindness
Focusing on being present and aware of not only ourselves, but those around us. Kind words, kind voice, kind heart.
Community Involvement
Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. Each year students contribute to a yearly community service project.
Academic Excellence
Every opportunity is considered a teachable moment. Students are engaged in a competitive curriculum that readily prepares them for Kindergarten.
Growth & Independence
Using everyday adversity and learning to adapt to new discoveries and grow independently. We can do hard things!
Our Method
Our Proactive Approach
The Whole-Child Approach
We develop each child academically, socially, and ethically — not just intellectually. Our curriculum is built around the belief that the first five years shape everything: cognitive growth, emotional intelligence, creative expression, and resilience all begin here. Every lesson, every interaction, every moment of play is intentional.
Our Daily Rhythm & Routines
Morning Circle
We welcome our students for the morning with warm hugs and hellos. As we prepare for the day, students review songs and concepts for the week, while interacting with their peers and establishing a sense of self in the classroom.
Daily Focus
Each day students are engaged with daily activities that support the overarching monthly classroom themes. These lessons vary from ELA, art, math, science and music.
Structured Play
Students have time to engage in meaningful play independently, or in pairs. These activities foster both creative and new concepts of learning, while using familiar objects in the classroom.
PM Circle Time
Teachers and students reconnect for the afternoon for movement and story-time. This moment allows everyone to regroup and get started for the second-half of the day.
Independent Work
Developmental activities are set and rotated each week for students to engage in. These activities focus on fine motor, critical thinking and creative skills. Students work independently on communication and conversational skills.
Free Play
At the top of the morning and end of the day, students are provided opportunities to explore and engage with materials in the classroom for play.
Snack Time
Students are provided a morning and afternoon snack break before/after outdoor play. Snack times are generally 9–10am and 2–3pm. Children are welcome to bring home snacks.
Lunch
Children come together and eat as a classroom. By connecting and nourishing their bodies, students are encouraged to engage in social interactions while working on table manner skills. Lunch occurs generally between 10:45–11:45am.
Nap & Rest
All students are provided and required an opportunity to rest between 12–2:30pm. Each child has an individual cot. Infants sleep based on their own schedules.
Music Day
For our Spring Parent and Me performance, parents are invited to join this potluck family-styled event. Children perform musical pieces based on their musical learnings from Music Fridays.
Parent Playdates
Parents will have the opportunity to join their child in the classroom and spend the morning with them as a special guest! Bring your child's favorite book to read for circle time.
Graduation
Each year we celebrate our graduating class with a full ceremony — cap and gown, speeches, and a community gathering that families remember forever. Our TK graduates leave ready for everything.
Art Show
Each year, our program closes out the school year with our annual art show. These never-before-seen art pieces are placed on display for families and friends. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres while kids enjoy fun-filled activities!
Introducing San Mateo!
Dear Families,
It is with great pride that we welcome our ground-breaking, early childhood education program to the Bay Area. As a Milpitas native, my goal has always been to bring our Los Angeles program back to my hometown and share this experience with my children.
What makes us different is the intentionality we place into the program and the intricacies within our classrooms. Our research-driven philosophy is redesigning what childcare should be — a place where the whole-child is the center focus.
I truly look forward to having the opportunity to connect with you all, and sharing the passion of our mission in the early education world for your little ones.
Meet Our Dedicated Educators
The Modern Schoolhouse provides rigorous in-house certificated training for all staff ensuring the program philosophy and whole-child approach are exemplified in all classrooms cohesively.
All staff displays significant qualifications in early childhood education and beyond. Teachers are CPR-First Aid certified, Mandated Reporters, Live Scan and DOJ cleared with the State of California.
Assistant Director
Teacher Visions:
Conscious Discipline
Anti-Bias Education
Holistic Approach
Site Supervisor
Teacher Visions:
Appreciating Individuality
Building Connections
Stability & Routine
Toddler Curriculum Coordinator
Teacher Visions:
Sociocultural Theory
Montessori
Collaborative Family Partnerships
Frequently Asked Questions
Are both part-time and full-time care available?+
TMS is currently for full-time enrollment only. From our social-emotional wellness approach and carefully curated lesson plans, we believe it is essential for students to receive all the benefits of our program by attending a full day.
What are the child to staff ratios?+
Our program prides itself on providing small group instruction to all students. Children in our Toddlers Program have a 1:6 or 1:4 ratio and students in our preschool class have a 1:6–1:8 ratio based on the school site and classroom size. All staff have an educational background with years of experience working with children.
How do you keep in touch with parents during the day?+
Our teachers and admin communicate with parents primarily through an app for day to day care. Teachers are available to message and provide daily photos of the focus lesson, and can even reach out when children scrape their knees!
I am on the waitlist, how long is the typical waiting period?+
Generally, we estimate a 6–12 month+ waiting period for all new families based on location. Openings are also contingent on age, classroom, and readiness of students.
Is TMS open all year around?+
Our program is closed on all major holidays and we provide 6 staff state-required development days. For both winter and summer, we are closed for 2 weeks each. Families receive an academic calendar upon enrollment.
Are immunization records required?+
Yes, the state of California requires all children to be — or be in the process of being — immunized on a schedule. Please submit all updated records during the year to keep your child's file current.
Is there a contract or set commitment for enrollment?+
We believe in the quality of care we provide our families, therefore we have tuition on a month-to-month basis with no required commitment. Please see program policies for more information.
Do children nap? Can my child be opted out?+
As a licensed facility, California requires all children in care to nap and rest for a specific amount of time. All students are provided a cot to rest and cannot be opted out from napping. If your child no longer requires a nap, teachers encourage rest time to relax and decompress prior to the second half of the day.
Does my child need to be potty trained?+
Children under 3 do not need to be potty trained. Our program offers potty training assistance for families in emerging classrooms. However, any child entering directly into a 3s classroom should be potty trained before their date of enrollment.
How do you discipline students?+
Each classroom is equipped with a safe space that provides comfort for children to feel their big emotions while navigating them in healthy manners. Students can reset in the area for as long as needed, with a teacher nearby for support. The safe place is used for emotional regulation — not time-out or punishment, as we do not believe in those practices.
What is the sick policy?+
Children will need to be symptom and medication free for 24 hours prior to returning. Based on the illness, a doctor's clearance note may be required. Our program does not administer any medication. In the event children fall ill at school, students will be isolated and parents will be notified with a request for immediate pick-up.
How do you celebrate birthdays and holidays?+
At TMS, we love birthdays and welcome small celebrations in the classroom. Birthday treats may be brought in as long as they are school-friendly and store-bought. We appreciate and celebrate the seasons, but do not celebrate specific holidays — understanding that all families have their own value system and traditions.
What is the process of unenrolling?+
In the event any family wishes to exit TMS, parents are required to notify admin 60 days prior. At that time, we will have parents sign a release of care form. Families are responsible for any outstanding balances or penalties due to failure to provide adequate notice.
Do siblings receive priority?+
Yes! We welcome siblings and understand the support it provides our families. Based on the age requirements for each program, any family interested in siblings should notify admin in order to be added to the waitlist.
Admissions
Ready to join our community?
We recommend applying at least 12 months before your desired start date.