Activities & discovery · Morgan Hill
A tiny world under a magnifying glass. A painting big enough to share. A tower built, tumbled, and tried again. At Mila-Ma, childhood is full of things to discover—and people who care.
A world of possibilities
Some discoveries start with a question. Others begin with a brush, a wooden block, or a friend’s invitation to play. Our days make room for all of them.
Inspired by Montessori and Waldorf approaches, Mila-Ma brings together hands-on exploration, creative expression, practical activities, and time outdoors. Experiences are chosen with care for the children taking part, with space to repeat a favorite, try something unfamiliar, and grow at their own pace.
A closer look at our days
Variety keeps discovery alive. Here are just a few of the ways children explore at Mila-Ma.
Big brushes, bold marks, shared canvases, and plenty of room for imagination. Art gives children a way to make choices, explore materials, and express something that is entirely their own.
Creative expression · Coordination · Choice
A magnifying glass brings a tiny world closer. Plants, soil, textures, and simple investigations invite children to look carefully, ask questions, and notice what changes.
Observation · Curiosity · Early science
Wooden shapes, puzzles, and building activities turn an idea into something children can hold. They fit pieces together, explore balance, and discover another way when the first one doesn’t work.
Spatial thinking · Persistence · Fine motor practice
Chosen for little hands
We have a strong preference for wooden toys and natural materials. Their grain, weight, texture, and shape offer children something real to notice as they touch, compare, arrange, and build.
Simple materials leave room for a child’s own ideas. A wooden shape can be part of a tower today and a whole imagined world tomorrow. Nature-based activities add another layer of sensory exploration, with materials selected for the children’s ages and the activity at hand.
Learning lives everywhere
Our indoor playroom, outdoor spaces, garden, and kitchen offer different places for children’s interests to take shape.
Outdoor play brings movement, fresh observations, and joyful surprises. Our playground, courtyard, garden, and activity patio give children places to climb, play, and explore together.
English is our primary language. Michelle and Stephanie both speak fluent Spanish and use English and Spanish with the children, including selected activities and songs in Spanish. Mila also speaks Russian. When parents request it, she offers their child individual conversations and teaching in Russian.
Cooking activities and everyday routines invite children to take part in real tasks. With an adult nearby, little moments of participation become opportunities to practice independence.
More ways to find their spark
A new sound. A careful movement. A surprising reaction. There is always another way to join in.
Everyday skills
Tongs, sorting, peeling, and careful cutting offer different ways to practice using little hands. We make time to try, repeat, and enjoy doing more for ourselves.
Music & rhythm
Exploring keys, listening to sounds, and making music bring another kind of play into the day. Children can follow a rhythm, try a note, and hear what happens next.
Small experiments
Pouring into a model volcano turns a simple activity into a moment of anticipation. Children watch closely, notice changes, and share what they see.
The care behind the activity
Mila comes from a long line of educators. Her passion for early learning—and her ongoing research into child development—inform the experiences she prepares for the children.
That care goes beyond setting out an activity. It means noticing a child’s interest, considering what they are ready to try, and offering patient encouragement. With Mila and two helpers caring for a small group, learning stays personal.
Pay attention to what draws them in, what they return to, and where a little support may help. Their interests are part of the planning.
Choose materials and experiences that invite participation, with the child’s stage of development in mind. Make room for creativity, movement, thinking, and connection.
Offer warmth, language, and gentle guidance. Give children time to explore, make mistakes, and enjoy the satisfaction of discovering something for themselves.
Our approach is Montessori and Waldorf inspired. Activities and materials vary with children’s ages, interests, and readiness.
A glimpse into their world
Little investigations. Big expressions. The joy of doing something together. Browse real moments from Mila-Ma.
21 moments to explore · Select any photo for a closer look
A glimpse of activities enjoyed at Mila-Ma. Experiences change throughout the year and are adapted for the children taking part.
Present, curious, connected
There is room for dress-up, shared laughter, and the small moments that help children feel they belong. Our days center on real play and human connection.
We do not use screens for entertainment. Occasional, strictly educational screen use never exceeds five minutes in a day.
Come see the possibilities
Visit Mila-Ma Daycare in Morgan Hill, meet Mila and her team, and explore the places where children play and learn. We would love to hear what makes your little one curious.
Request a tour →Infants through age five · Current openings and a waitlist
