Infants

from birth to 18 months

At TenderNest Childcare, we provide Montessori-inspired infant care in a loving, home-based environment designed to nurture the earliest stages of growth and discovery.
Our licensed home daycare in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego welcomes infants from birth. Offering a calm, safe, and stimulating setting where your baby can thrive.

“We have had all 3 of our boys at Tendernest, two of them starting out when they were infants. Miss Arlettes preschool provided our family with much needed structure and routine for the boys. She provides healthy meals including breakfast, snacks and lunch. All of the meals are planned out and nutritious. My kids especially love her lentil soup and pasta! She does special themed meals for the holidays and even does some group cooking lessons.”

— Dr. Hebert Ratner

In the Montessori Method, there are four critical areas of infant development:

1. Movement – promoting coordination and freedom of motion
2. Sensory Perception – helping infants explore and understand their surroundings
3. Language – fostering communication and early connection
4. Order – creating a peaceful, predictable environment for learning

By preparing a nurturing environment that allows infants to explore these areas, an extraordinary amount of development can occur during the first year of life.
At TenderNest, our Montessori home daycare in Rancho Bernardo focuses on these areas daily—guiding infants toward independence, confidence, and joy.

sign language

We incorporate infant sign language as part of our early communication program. This preverbal and emerging language skill allows babies to express their needs and feelings before they can speak, reducing frustration and fostering emotional security. Through consistent, loving guidance, infants at TenderNest begin understanding and using simple signs, building the foundation for early verbal communication and literacy.

NUTRITION

Nutrition plays a vital role in your baby’s growth and learning. We handle every meal with care, whether it is breast milk, formula, or solid food introduction, ensuring safety and cleanliness at every step. Our infants and children enjoy fresh, homemade meals made with natural ingredients that follow balanced food pyramid guidelines. TenderNest also accommodates vegetarian and vegan options, aligning with family preferences while meeting all nutritional needs.

Music and Rhythm

Music is an important part of our infant program. Babies are soothed with gentle songs, rhythmic rocking, and age-appropriate music that helps them develop listening skills and a sense of rhythm. This early connection to sound nurtures a lifelong appreciation for music and strengthens the foundation for language development and emotional bonding.