Hi there,

I’m Erica Miller — a preschool administrator, nurse, and most importantly, a mom.

Years ago, I was standing right where you are: looking for a school that felt safe, loving, and truly good for my daughter. At the time, she was just three years old and full of big feelings, big questions, and an even bigger imagination. We found this little school tucked into the mountains — back then it was Pioneer Montessori — and I watched her thrive in a setting that celebrated who she was and how she learned.

What I didn’t know then was how much this place would become part of our family’s story.

In the summer of 2023, my husband and I took a leap of faith. We bought the school. We rolled up our sleeves — painting classrooms, repairing fences, updating the playground — and reopened it as Mother Lode Mountain Tots. That same fall, our son started attending the very same school his sister had once loved.

We are still a small, family-run program. But what we offer is deeply rooted in something powerful:
💛 A belief that children deserve to be seen, heard, and valued from day one.
🌱 A learning environment built on curiosity, empathy, and joy.
🏔️ And a commitment to helping families feel supported — not just enrolled.

If you’re here, it means you’re searching for more than just a childcare provider. You want a partner in your child’s growth. I want you to know: we’ve been there. And we’ve built this place for you.

Every child deserves what my children were lucky enough to receive — a school that feels like an extension of home.

We can’t wait to meet your family.

With care,
Erica Miller
Administrator & Mom
📞 (209) 295-1230
📧 erica.miller@motherlodemountaintots.com

How We Support Children Today

At Mother Lode Mountain Tots, we blend Montessori principles with the realities of working family life, offering thoughtful, responsive care from infancy through age 12.

Our program is built around three things:

✅ **Individualized Learning**
Children move at their own pace with activities that meet them where they are — and help them grow with confidence.

💛 **Strong Relationships**
Our teachers build deep, lasting bonds with students and families, creating a true community of trust and care.

📲 **Consistent Communication**
With the Brightwheel app, you’ll receive daily photos, real-time updates, and weekly progress reports — so you’re always in the loop.

Whether your child is learning to walk, write their name, or build friendships, our team guides the way with heart and intention.

Meet Our Team

Rooted in experience, guided by heart, our educators bring decades of care, including alumni who once walked these very halls.

📅 Schedule a Tour

We’d love to meet your family and show you around! Click below to find a time that works for you.

📝 Ready to Enroll?

Click below to complete our application through Brightwheel. You’ll be prompted to create a free Brightwheel account first—this helps us securely manage your form and future school communications.

A $100 registration fee is required for enrollment. If your family receives the TRC child care subsidy, TRC will cover this fee on your behalf.