Sunflower Montessori School

We couldn't be happier with this school! ALL of the teachers are incredible. Kind, patient and they actually do care about your kids. Yvonne in the toddler room was AMAZING with our son when he first started. I was sad that he was going to primary and wouldn't get to be with her anymore. Allison is now his teacher and she's wonderful. Elizabeth us our older sons teacher and we couldnt be happier. He has learned so much under her watch. When I drop my boys off I know they are in wonderful hands. Cari the director is very sweet and bounces from classroom to classroom to help with anything. One day I was picking my boys up and saw both of them hugging her and sitting on her lap! ALL the women in this building are exceptional and I thank you so very much ❤️

This is our son's 2nd year in the primary program and he loves it. We love the montessori way of learning and I think it has been very beneficial for him. He has really blossomed so many areas. His social skills, communication skills, independence and the way he is soaking up the curriculum. He loves to come home and "teach" mom and dad. Love that he shares that with us. Thank you Sunflower!

We have been at SMS for I think 3 years now...maybe almost 4. My daughter has flourished here. She is wild, energetic, strong willed, and very clever. They are so patient with her and have even helped me learn how to guide her best. She is kind and loving. She has really come out of her shell. My daughter has been provided the best start I think possible. She is working on numbers, reading, and writing. The teachers there are absolutely wonderful. They show genuine emotion and feelings for the kids. They care and plan for their development. Yes, they do get a lot of breaks, but they are always energized, refreshed, and happy. Most places teachers seemed overworked and tired. Not at SMS. All of the staff make themselves available, even after hours. There is communication any time a parent needs it, and the teachers do not hesitate to reach out. They even have a babysitting list full of amazing people! They have before and after care available. The staff in the afternoon is just as caring and loving as the teachers. My daughter loves going to school and I love leaving her without having to worry. I know she is learning, she is safe, she is making friends, having fun, and she is loved. It’s an amazing school!!

One of the worst experiences of our lives. The owners take advantage of the scarcity for infant care in denver. Try will talk down to you, lie to you. And the teachers, for the most part, are only interested in making their day easy at your child’s expense. My guess is the reason they have so many good reviews is because many are fake, and she threatens to sue you if you leave a bad review (Yes, she did but you can’t sue someone for a review). She her response to this review for affirmation and lie. We removed our child due too much to discuss. Sunflower has ZERO AFFILIATION with Montessori, it's only in the name. They do not understand or follow the Montessori principles. When our child’s schedule did not fit their schedule, the director/owner, Cimarron, emailed us that Follow the Child means to let the child eat and sleep when the child wants. This is exactly opposite of what Montessori principle teaches. Follow the Child relates to letting the child explore when learning. The principle specifically states Follow the Child does not mean to let the child eat and sleep when they want. I have the email from the director, Cimmaron, specifically stating this misinterpretation. They call themselves Montessori so they can charge you more! There is a reason they have openings. Most the time I arrived early to pick up my 6 month, she was laying in a boppy by herself, sometimes holding her own bottle in the boppy!! Note the 60 day notice required in the contract to remove your child. We gave our 60 day notice for a number of reasons and the directors went from bad to worse. Just go to the next daycare before you have the experience we had!

My daughter attended Sunflower for quite a few years. I can honestly say that this school more than prepared her for the next level of her education. Her teacher was amazing and we cannot say enough nice things about her. The director is always available and proactive when there is an issue (which we had very few).

My two children have been at SMS since the oldest was an infant - almost 5 years now. The school isn't perfect - it's a small business and we have occasional frustrations with certain policies and administrative practices, but the fact is that it's an amazing environment full of educators who love our children and fully embrace Montessori philosophy. Many complain about the price, but you get what you pay for. If you want your child to spend all day strapped in a high chair with little interaction, by all means go to a day care center that churns through minimum wage staff. Sunflower hires good people, and they cost more money to employ. There is no one I would trust more to care for my infant than Ms. Pam. My children are older now, but even though my youngest has been out of her class for years he is still so attached to her, and she clearly loves each and every one of them. My oldest son has special needs and I cannot even express how grateful we are to Ms. Molli for her efforts over the several years he spent in her primary classroom. She is a truly exceptional educator. Over our years at Sunflower, there have been only two teachers that we were not completely happy with, and neither are still employed by the school.

When I walk out the door after dropping off my two sons in the morning, I am soothed by the same emotions every time: unwavering confidence, implicit trust and pure gratitude for the Montessorians providing care and education for my children. SMS is a gem. Evidence of the teachers' attentiveness, the director's passion and the community's strength can be found in every facet of our children's lives. SMS is as much a part of our sons' personalities and their zest for life as their parents. That should say it all. Ms. Pam in the infant room amazes us with the level of detailed observation of our youngest son's most simple activities. In our last parent-teacher conference, she illustrated the subtle dynamics of his behavior when drawing next to younger kids vs. older kids. She predicted with pinpoint accuracy: "get ready, he's about to take off walking - this is what interests him most." Ms. Pam is amazing, patient, steady, brilliant and under-praised. We are so thrilled that our second child will be studying under Ms. Jane, who recently returned after taking time to be a mother and a grandparent to her family. Then, there is our 4-year-old, who has spent the majority of his Montessori life at SMS. His time at SMS is part of his DNA. His classroom is his community, and his time there has set him up for success in the communities of his future. And on that note, finally, there is the community. Every birthday party, every school event and every play date that arises from our children's relationships is just another reminder of how lucky we are to be associated with a community of like-minded people who genuinely care for one another and the common goal we share as Montessori parents. Running a small business is hard - more difficult than most of us will ever come close to knowing. Add to that, the degree of difficulty of managing an entity where the "customers" are the most cherished people we will ever know - our children. I don't envy Cimarron or her challenge one bit. Conversely, I'm in awe of the dedication and the grace with which Cimarron and the staff at SMS represent the village it takes to raise our children well. I would trust her with the lives of my children in a heartbeat. In fact, I do - every day. Thank you, Cimarron, and the entire team of SMS for loving our kids as much as we do.