Activities
At TenderNest Childcare, we understand that every child learns in their own unique way.
Our Montessori-inspired home daycare in Rancho Bernardo provides a variety of hands-on, engaging activities designed to meet each child’s individual needs.
We tailor every lesson to your child’s age, skill level, and developmental stage to ensure joyful and meaningful learning.
“I am amazed at how much my two boys already know at such a young age! The skills and knowledge they have gained has surpassed my expectations.”
science
Science at TenderNest is filled with discovery and wonder. Children learn by observing, touching, and experimenting with real materials before being introduced to symbols or pictures.
Lessons include topics such as the five senses, changing seasons, volcanoes, layers of the earth, and life cycles of plants and animals. Simple hands-on experiments help children ask questions, make predictions, and explore cause and effect. Each month our science shelf changes to reflect a new theme, keeping curiosity alive. By exploring the natural world, children develop observation skills, vocabulary, and a deep respect for the environment.
We are proud to be one of the few home daycares in Rancho Bernardo and Poway offering rich early STEM learning experiences.
math
Mathematics comes to life through Montessori sensorial materials that make abstract ideas tangible. Children manipulate beads, rods, and number tiles to explore size, quantity, and sequence. They learn concepts such as large and small, long and short, and progress naturally toward counting, addition, and subtraction. This concrete experience helps them visualize math as something real and exciting.
As they compare, measure, and arrange materials, they build reasoning, memory, and precision. The confidence gained through these hands-on lessons prepares children for future academic success.
Our Montessori home daycare in San Diego introduces math in a way that is joyful, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate.
sign language
We integrate infant and toddler sign language into our daily routines to strengthen early communication. Before children can form words, they have a strong desire to express themselves.
Teaching simple signs allows them to communicate needs like “milk,” “more,” or “help,” reducing frustration and fostering trust. As they sign and receive responses, children experience the joy of being understood.
Sign language also enhances fine-motor coordination and supports early literacy by linking gestures to meaning. Families often notice that infants who sign tend to speak earlier and feel calmer because their emotions are acknowledged. At TenderNest, sign language is part of our commitment to nurturing every child’s voice and emotional development.
gardening
Our Garden Project invites children to explore nature while learning responsibility and patience. They plant seeds, water daily, and watch new life emerge. Gardening connects children to the food they eat and teaches them how sunlight, water, and soil work together.
We also introduce simple nutrition lessons that show how carrots support vision, eggs build strong bones, and avocados nourish the brain. Harvest days are full of excitement as children pick vegetables and share them during snack time.
Through these experiences, children develop a love for the environment and an appreciation for healthy choices. Gardening blends science, sensory exploration, and teamwork, making learning both practical and joyful.
cooking
Cooking at TenderNest is a celebration of curiosity and care. Children help wash vegetables, measure ingredients, and mix simple recipes. Preparing food teaches order, sequencing, and cooperation while developing fine-motor control and sensory awareness.
The aroma of fresh, home-cooked meals fills our classroom, giving children pride in their accomplishments. Meals are prepared with wholesome produce, whole grains, and herbs to introduce natural flavors. Through cooking, children learn about nutrition, teamwork, and the joy of sharing. These early experiences build self-confidence and encourage lifelong healthy habits.
At our Montessori daycare in Rancho Bernardo, food becomes both a lesson and a memory made with love.
practical life
Our practical life Montessori activities bridge the gap between home and school.
Children use real, child-sized tools to polish, pour, scrub, sweep, and care for their surroundings. These tasks help refine coordination, build focus, and foster independence.
At TenderNest, children are encouraged to take pride in doing things on their own, guided by caring adults who support without interfering.
The pace is calm and unhurried, allowing every child to develop confidence and self-reliance in their daily routines.