About Montessori Children’s Garden
Cultivating Curiosity, Independence, and Community
Montessori Children’s Garden in North Liberty, Iowa, provides a nurturing, child-centered environment where young learners ages 3 to 6 are free to explore, discover, and grow at their own pace.
Following the time-tested Montessori philosophy, our multi-age classrooms and certified Nature Explore outdoor space help children develop a lifelong love of learning, deep self-reliance, and a profound respect for the world around them.
We guide each child with a focus on consistent care, autonomy, and natural discovery, driven by an enduring commitment to our community.
What Makes Our Garden Grow
Teacher-Owned
Our school was built on a foundation of authentic Montessori practice, rooted in founding teacher Sandra Honey’s formal Montessori training in London. We intentionally chose a teacher-owned, for-profit structure to keep ownership in the hands of educators who work in our classrooms every day.
Consistency in the Classroom
Children stay with the same teacher in a mixed-age classroom for three consecutive years. This structure prioritizes consistency of care and meaningful relationships over rigid, age-based grouping. Your child is known, understood, and supported across every stage of their early development.
Freedom of Choice
We honor your child’s instincts, giving them freedom to choose work they’re drawn to—whether that’s math, science, geography, international cultures, or practical life skills—and move when their bodies tell them to move. This self-directed engagement transforms learning into an exciting, internal pursuit.
Autonomy & Independence
Every classroom activity is designed for independent execution, supporting motor development alongside intellectual growth. As children learn to navigate tasks on their own, they build autonomy, confidence, and the ability to sustain self-directed concentration.
Nature-Focused
Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Our spaces flow into the outdoors, featuring a fully certified Nature Explore Classroom and an active garden that our students and staff tend together, fostering a lifelong bond with the Earth.
Built on Family & Community
For over two decades, Montessori Children’s Garden has thrived in North Liberty primarily through word-of-mouth recommendations. We’re proud of our local reputation and our mission to build community among our children, teachers, and families.
“Sending my boys to the Montessori Children’s Garden is the best thing I have ever done. The teachers are experienced, patient, loving, and strive to make a difference.”
“This school is beyond amazing. I have recommended this school to everyone I know and will continue to do so.”
“The teachers are kind and caring and are so good at what they do. I highly recommend this place and the nursery next to them to anyone looking!”
Our Story So Far
2003: Planting Roots
Sandra Honey, Jane Jones, and Shirley Harrison started the Montessori Children’s Garden, a teacher-owned school run by teachers with firsthand classroom knowledge and a child-first philosophy.
2004-2007: The Growth
The Garden expands from three to four classrooms to meet local demand. The school established its Kindergarten Enrichment Program as a bridge to traditional schooling and built a culture of long-tenured teachers, cementing the Garden’s welcoming presence in the community.
2007-2008: New Roots
Tina Lemburg joined Montessori after returning from her service in the Peace Corps, bringing a global perspective to the classroom. Around this time, Emily Jones continued to become more involved in the daily life and culture of the school.
2010: The Explorers Program Begins
The school launched a dedicated summer program to serve families year-round and extend the Montessori philosophy beyond the school walls. The Explorers program gives older children a hands-on sense of place in the broader North Liberty community.
2013: Nature Explore Certification
The Garden’s outdoor space was formally certified as a Nature Explore Classroom by the Arbor Day Foundation, one of few in the region. The school has proudly recertified every year since, deepening its commitment to environmental education.
2021: Next Generation of Ownership
Emily and Tina stepped into their roles as co-owners, carrying forward the founding commitment to teacher-led governance and ensuring the Garden remained rooted in the same philosophy as it was when it opened its doors two decades earlier.
2023: Monarch Tagging
Montessori Children’s Garden became a certified monarch butterfly tagging program. Initiated by a former student and her mother, the project successfully tagged 13 monarchs in its first full season.
2025: The Worm Farm
The Garden introduced 25,000 worms to the school garden to naturally rebuild soil health, giving students a front-row seat to the wonders of composting and life cycles.
2026: Tina Assumes Ownership
Tina became the sole owner of the Montessori Children’s Garden, carrying forward more than 23 years of tradition, relationships, and child-centered philosophy.