top of page

PHILOSOPHY

The Child & Family Institute programs focus on families. We strive to support every family, create opportunities for joyful play, encourage rituals and traditions, and build a caring community.

 

Our prepared environment is based on the teachings of Maria Montessori. We encourage the natural development of children and encourage their growing independence.

 

Parents are encouraged to let their children follow their hearts as they make choices within a spiritual environment we call “the Meadow.”

 

Both parents and children experience the magic of this approach as they laugh, play, share, listen and love together. Parents feel comfortable in this environment because it is in many ways an extension of their own homes.

Whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future.
–Dr. Maria Montessori

STAFF

BROOKE LARKINS

Director/Teacher

brooke@cfamily.org

staff_sarah.jpg

SARAH DELLENBACH

Office Manager and Change Maker
Co-Leader

info@cfamily.org

V_sm.jpg

VAIOLA KAUTOKE

Administrative Assistant

cfi_accountant.jpg

DANIELLE VILLASEÑOR 

Accountant

accounting@cfamily.org

staff_lisa.jpg

TEACHER LISA

Storyteller and Craft Tea Leader

TEACHER MELISSA

Lead Teacher

TEACHER MINDY

Teacher and Meadow Project Lead

TEACHER MARIANNE

Teacher

teacher_lorena.jpg

TEACHER LORENA

Outreach Coordinator and Change Maker Leader

TEACHER BETH

Heart Voice Leader

fields_cfi__edited.jpg

TEACHER ALISON

Heart Voice Leader 

TERRY WALSH

Peace Ambassador

staff_sue_d.jpg

TEACHER SUE

Substitute Teacher

NANCY MARTIN

Photographer

JOSETTA WALSH

Co-Founder

KRIS GOODRICH

Co-Founder

MARGARET MORE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susie Frimel, President

Brooke Larkins, Director

Christina Borchers

Rachel Bowman​
Margot Dudley

Michelle Eakin

Kelley Garton

Kristin Gray

Sabah Mansoor Husain

Ellie Fischbacher Maldonado

Laurie Scott

QUICK LINK

CONTACT US

Location | Child & Family Institute | CFI Menlo Park

Child & Family Institute

330 Ravenswood Avenue

Menlo Park, CA 94025

(650) 328-2262

Hours: 9am-4pm

Monday-Friday

Email: info@cfamily.org

Web: www.cfamily.org

We are fortunate to share a campus with Trinity School and Trinity Church, but are not affiliated with either program.

Please park in our parking lot at 330 Ravenswood Avenue (be careful not to park in "Tenant" spots), or near our other entrance at 1040 Laurel Street, or on any neighboring street (be mindful of the street signs!)

bottom of page