After five years of running a childcare program in her Eastlake home, Sayra Godinez is taking her business, Timbertoy Montessori, to a two-story building in Linda Vista.
Godinez, a teacher who holds a bachelor’s in liberal studies from San Diego Christian School, has been teaching since she was 19. Following her graduation in 2017, she launched Timbertoy Montessori, transforming the first floor of her house into a bilingual Montessori school for toddlers. She has also taught at the French Montessori preschool of San Diego.
The new location has room for 40 students, ages 18 months to 5.
Godinez is the director of the facility, overseeing the school’s toddler program for children 18 months to 2, and a preschool program for students ages 2 to 5. Her sister, Anakaren, handles the istrative tasks.
A staff of certified, R-trained teachers and a chef will be on-site as well, Godinez said. All classes and activities will be taught in both English and Spanish.
Godinez says the school programs include healthy snacks and meals prepared daily, as well as personalized activities that follow the Montessori method developed by Italian doctor and educator Maria Montessori. The method emphasizes individuality, with sequenced lessons covering key areas of development including practical life skills, math, language and activities that develop the five senses.
“The philosophy is to make children super independent, making them feel capable of completing whatever they need or are working on and accomplishing their milestones and goals,” Godinez shared.
The school building at 6736 Linda Vista Road was formerly a church, but Godinez emphasized that her center is non denominational. Classrooms, a kitchen and outdoor playground make up the space customized for toddlers.
Visit timbertorymontessori.com.
Roxana Becerril is a freelance writer.
