Sakura Valley
Montessori Preschool
Welcome to the Sakura Valley Page!
Welcome to the Sakura Valley Page!
About Sakura Valley
Since 2014, Sakura Valley Montessori Preschool has provided a nurturing space where children aged 2 to 5 can explore, learn, and grow. Our classrooms feature authentic Montessori materials designed to inspire hands-on discovery and independence, while our outdoor garden offers natural learning opportunities to spark curiosity and creativity.
Sakura Valley is dedicated to fostering a love for learning and the core values of empathy and kindness. We provide a supportive environment tailored to each child’s needs, helping them build a strong foundation for their future.
Discover more about our mission, vision, and curriculum below.
Our Mission
Our mission here at Sakura Valley is to provide a high quality child care program while helping children to reach their potential and become independent members of society, all throughout employing the Montessori method. We are fully committed to creating an environment that serves to the whole child and addresses his physical, social, emotional needs. Our nurturing environment stresses the importance of peace, love, and empathy to develop a compassionate human being along with a love of learning.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on freedom of choice, integrating goals of stimulating curiosity, enhancing learning, promoting independent thinking and a positive self-concept.
We will have a special activity once a week, such as flower arrangement, cooking lessons, and/or guest musical teachers. Of course, we are fully dedicated to the Montessori methods therefore if the children choose not to participate, they will be chaperoned while choosing to do other jobs of their choice. Our curriculum is split into five sections:
Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, Cosmic
Find out more about each section by reading about the Montessori Method.
The Montessori Method
WHAT IS THE MONTESSORI METHOD, REALLY?
Have you ever heard of Montessori? If you have not – fear not! Many parents who enroll their students in schools and childcares that employ the Montessori method come in not knowing much about it but are blown away by the results they see in their children. The Montessori method is a method of education developed by Italian physicist and educator, Dr. Maria Montessori. She believed that children are naturally hungry for knowledge and by allowing them to explore a prepared environment with a hands-on approach; they will naturally absorb and fulfill this hunger for knowledge. Montessori education truly values the education of the whole child by satisfying their physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs.
Practical Life
PRACTICAL LIFE:
One of the most fundamental areas of the Montessori environment is practical life. This is the area in which children learn the fundamentals that prepare them to use all the other Montessori materials in the classroom. Activities such as sewing, gardening, pouring, scrubbing, practicing grace and courtesy are all a part of practical life. The direct aims of these activities are to fulfill their needs of order, concentration, co-ordination and independence while strengthening their fine and gross motor skills through jobs such as grasping, pinching, and tweezing.
Sensorial
SENSORIAL:
Children between the ages of zero to six are in a sensitive period where their senses are their primary means of exploring and understanding the world. This makes it the perfect time to offer them materials that help refine their sensory abilities. Maria Montessori’s sensorial materials are thoughtfully designed to enhance the child’s perception of size, shape, color, texture, and more. These activities not only engage their curiosity but also indirectly prepare them to work with other materials in the classroom, building a strong foundation for future learning.
Language
LANGUAGE:
At Sakura Valley Montessori Preschool, all lessons are conducted in English. Maria Montessori viewed language development as "a treasure prepared in the unconscious, then handed over to consciousness," enabling children to express themselves freely as they master this vital skill. Her materials follow a carefully designed sequence, beginning with phonetic sounds and short words. This foundation is strengthened through activities that build fine motor skills, such as those that develop hand muscles, ultimately leading to a natural "explosion" into reading and writing. Montessori’s approach ensures that language learning is joyful, intuitive, and deeply effective.
Math
MATH:
Children develop the mathematical mind through all of the areas in the classroom as it is set up in a specific order and they help with the children's ability to concentrate, classify, and organize. The math activities in the classroom start out with concrete concepts in which children learn ideas through their hands on experience, all the while preparing them to learn more abstract ideas. Children move at their own pace and there is no forced memorization or forced repetition. Children will continue to work with the materials until they feel confident enough to be introduced to the next steps.
Cosmic
COSMIC:
Some Montessorians believe that cosmic education cannot be fully taught in a 3-6 classroom, but its core ideas can absolutely be introduced. Cosmic education is the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected and has its place. Geography, science, and cultural education help children understand this concept in a tangible way. At Sakura Valley, we aim to nurture global citizens by teaching children about different cultures, traditions, and the natural world. Through this, they learn that we are all interconnected and share a role in the greater universe.
“My vision of the future is no longer people taking exams and proceeding then on that certification . . . but of individuals passing from one stage of independence to a higher [one], by means of their own activity through their own effort of will, which constitutes the inner evolution of the individual.”
— Dr. Maria Montessori
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
The daily schedule at Sakura Valley Montessori Preschool is as follows. There may be some changes depending on the day, but we mostly follow this schedule.
*Note: Half-day children are picked up at 12 PM, before lunch time.
|
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
|
8:45 AM - 8:55 AM |
Morning Drop Off |
|
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
Circle Time |
|
9:15 AM - 11:30 AM |
Work Period (Montessori Jobs) |
|
10:00 AM |
Snack Time |
|
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM |
Outdoor Play |
|
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Lunch |
|
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
Quiet/Nap Time |
|
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM |
Closing Circle |
|
2:30 PM |
Pick Up |
Our Yearly Curriculum
|
MONTH |
LEARNING |
HOLIDAYS + EVENTS |
|
September |
Our Earth Where We Live |
Back to School |
|
October |
Plants & Animals Asia Halloween |
Fall Break Halloween Party |
|
November |
Gratitude Friendship |
Thanksgiving |
|
December |
Family Christmas Around the World |
Christmas Break |
|
January
|
Animals in Winter |
New Years |
|
February |
North America Friendship |
Valentines |
|
March |
Flowers Botany |
Spring Break |
|
April |
Protecting Our Earth South America |
Easter Party |
|
May |
South America Insects |
Golden Week |
|
June |
Care of Self Ocean |
|
|
July |
School Closed |
SUMMER BREAK |
|
August |
Three Weeks of Summer School |
Summer School |
As we are a Montessori school, our teachers follow the children in terms of their interests and enthusiasm when it comes to different themes. Thus, this is strictly a plan and is subject to change, as are events in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Learning topics change year to year.
Sakura Valley Montessori Preschool Staff
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Ms. Tina
DIRECTOR + LEAD TEACHER
MASTERS OF EDUCATION, AMERICAN MONTESSORI SOCIETY CREDENTIALMs. Tina grew up in Tokyo, Japan, where she attended a Montessori preschool and kindergarten before graduating from an international school. From a very young age, she knew she wanted to work with children and dreamed of one day starting her own preschool. She gained valuable experience working at various international schools, kindergartens, and preschools, both traditional and Montessori. However, it was the Montessori method that truly resonated with her, as she was amazed by the profound impact it had on children's development and independence.
Ms. Tina earned her Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Santa Clara University (CA) and later completed her Master’s in Education and Montessori Credential at Chaminade University (HI). Her dedication to the Montessori philosophy continues to shape her vision for Sakura Valley.
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Ms. Ayane
ASSISTANT TEACHER
MASTER OF SCIENCE, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND YOUTH COUNSELING
Ms. Ayane was a valued teacher at Sakura Valley Montessori Preschool from 2016 to 2019, and we are thrilled to welcome her back for the 2024 school year! A graduate of an international school in Japan, she brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our team.Her energy is truly infectious, and she has a remarkable gift for making everyone around her feel happy, supported, and loved. In addition to her teaching experience, Ms. Ayane holds a Master of Science in Restorative Practices and Youth Counseling, which adds depth to her approach in nurturing and guiding children.
We are so lucky to have Ms. Ayane return to Sakura Valley, where her passion, knowledge, and warmth continue to make a positive impact on our school community.
Preschool Tuition and Fees
|
MONTHLY FEES |
MORNING CLASS 9:00 - 12:00 |
FULL DAY CLASS |
|
Application Fee (One Time Fee) |
¥10,000 |
¥10,000 |
|
Registration Fee (One Time Fee) |
¥90,000 |
¥90,000 |
|
5 Days a Week |
¥72,859 |
¥130,824 |
|
4 Days a Week |
¥58,366 |
¥104,898 |
|
3 Days a Week |
¥43,802 |
¥78,735 |
|
2 Days a Week |
¥29,174 |
¥52,404 |
|
Maintenance Fee |
¥5,775 |
¥5,775 |
*All fees include taxes
Above fees are for monthly tuition. If you would like to pay by semester, this can also be arranged.
SIBLING DISCOUNT FEE
We provide discounts for siblings of already enrolled students. Please inquire with us if you are interested in more information.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sakura Valley is a Montessori pre-school, which ensures that the teachers are there to follow the child. Unlike a traditional school, the curriculum covers all the essential learning building blocks, but is flexible in the sense that we cater to the child’s interest and help to fulfill their specific needs and learning styles. We are also a smaller pre-school with only 6 students a day, therefore we are able to give each child a very personalized learning experience.
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A mixed age group allows younger children to benefit from watching the older ones as role models and at the same time older children strengthen their knowledge by helping the younger ones. This allows the children opportunities for a broad range of social interaction and self directed learning.
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We are purely an English speaking pre-school, in the sense that we will not give lessons on the Japanese language. That being said, we have many Japanese speakers who come to our school with no prior English experience, therefore sometimes the teachers will help guide these children in their native language to feel more comfortable, especially when they are brand new to the school. Your English-speaking child may come home with some new Japanese phrases, such as “Itadakimasu!” (“Thank you for the meal!”) :)
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No, there is no formal interview, but we require all prospective families to come in for an informal meeting with the director to chat about what they are looking for in their child’s pre-school. We also give a brief explanation of who we are as a school and a classroom tour. These meetings are held after-school or on weekends if necessary. You can book a live tour of the school and meeting here.
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There are no specific qualifications, but we assess how your parenting style aligns with our philosophies, as well as your willingness to assist in your child’s development in a way that is in-line with the Montessori method.
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We ask that parents provide packed lunches for the children. Snack is provided at school, and we are careful to take into consideration your child’s allergies. Snacks are usually healthy foods such as fruits, crackers, cheese, and granola.
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We try to make time to go to the neighborhood park, but we also have a large yard outside the school where children can play soccer, toss frisbees, practice softball, etc. We do not have a formal P.E. program, but gross motor skills are things we work on during the school day either through dancing, practical life activities or during outdoor play.
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We do not have classes on the weekends, but sometimes we have school parties on the weekends so that parents who work on weekdays can attend. We also occasionally have parent education days that are held on the weekend.
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In an event that requires an evacuation, we are required to go to Sakurashinmachi Shougakkou (Elementary) Campus Grounds. We will keep the children there until you are able to collect your children.
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We do not offer make-up days for personal reasons. The preschool does not make up days lost due to inclement weather.
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We try to have three field trips a year based on what the children are learning. These field trips are at no extra cost to parents. We either use public transportation or the teachers’ private vehicles depending on how many children are attending.
Still have Questions? Contact Us.
By Email:
Book A Tour:
Schedule a tour now!
By Phone:
Find us on Social Media:
Seasonal Schools
Summer Adventure
Our summer program runs for 3 weeks in August after our summer break and before the start of our new school year. Each week has a different theme and we do crafts, read books, play in the pool, and go on field trips that help solidify what we’ve learned throughout the week through hands-on experiences.
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3 weeks in August
Winter School
Our winter program consists of four days of winter fun doing themed crafts, activities and adventures in mid-December. Students usually partake in Christmas ornament crafting, play with nature and collect pine cones to create one of a kind crafts, make a ginger bread house, and more!
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(2024) December 17th - December 20th
(2025) TBD
Spring School
Our spring school typically runs in March for four days of spring themed crafts and activities. We will explore the beautiful nature that surrounds our school grounds, St. Patrick’s Day, and finally, a fun scavenger hunt and picnic on our last day - parents are invited to join us as we make our own sandwiches to share!
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(2024) March 13 - 16
(2025) TBD
School and Location
17 minute walk from either Yoga Station or Sakurashinmachi Station
One bus stops directly in front of Sakura Valley:
Tsurumaki Eigyosho Station Bus #7
7-24-31 Fukasawa Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 158-0081 Japan
Phone: 03-3701-1319
E-mail: info@sakuravalley.com
Contact Us
By Email:
Book A Tour:
Schedule a tour now!
By Phone:
Find us on Social Media:
Book a Classroom Tour and meeting!
We require caretakers and children to come in for a quick meeting and a classroom tour with the director before enrolling in the school. Please take a minute to fill out this form so we can set-up an informal interview with you and your child.
Testimonials from our Parents
Testimonial from Melody
“My son loved it so much that even during the weekends, he wanted to go to school as well. We as parents were able to witness him blossoming into a confident little boy equipped with lots of knowledge(even as adults, we do not know either) and compassion towards others. Ms Tina n Ms Ayane definitely did a well done job in nurturing each individuals by providing lots of love, patience and empathy. Moreover, they truly listen and support not only the children but also the family for whatever situation arises.”
Testimonial from Emi
“One of the best decisions we made in our parenting journey was sending our son to this school. We had to leave reluctantly when we moved to Europe… but if we had stayed in Japan longer, we would have wanted him to continue here. Thanks to this school, our son has developed concentration, decisiveness, and curiosity, which have become significant strengths for him even in European schools.”
Testimonial from Jonathan
