Our approach

Intentional by design.

We draw on three traditions — each for what it does best — and follow every child’s growth closely, so nothing about these years is left to chance.

Three traditions

Each one does something the others can’t.

Reggio gives children a voice, Montessori gives them independence, and strong foundations make sure they arrive at kindergarten ready.

Reggio Emilia–inspired

Children lead.

The environment is the “third teacher.” Investigations grow from children’s own questions, and learning is documented so it can be revisited.

In the classroom

Natural, open-ended materials

Art, music, and dramatic play

Small-group projects that follow curiosity

Montessori-inspired

They do it themselves.

Real tasks, child-sized tools, and an orderly room let children take care of themselves, their friends, and their space.

In the classroom

Practical life: pouring, dressing, cleaning up

Grace & courtesy: greeting, sharing, waiting

Materials that teach quantity and shape

Academic foundations

They arrive ready.

Purposeful teaching, aligned with the Arizona Early Learning Standards, so kindergarten feels like the next step — not a leap.

In the classroom

UFLI-inspired early literacy

Hands-on math and number sense

Logic and screen-free coding

All of it comes together in one year-long journey.

The Discovery Journey · 2026–27

A year that grows outward — from me, to the world.

Quarter 1

I Discover

Discovering Myself & My World

We open the year building the foundation everything rests on: a child who feels safe, known, and connected.

All About Me · My Classroom · My Family · My Five Senses · Body in Motion · Healthy Me · Clothes & Weather · Pets & Animal Friends · Autumn

Quarter 2

I Investigate

How Things Work

With a secure sense of self, curiosity turns outward — testing, building, and asking how the world works.

Air Moves Everything · Halloween · Tubes & Tunnels · Wheels & Vehicles · Light & Shadows · Thanksgiving · Roads · Buildings & Structures · Winter

Quarter 3

I Belong

My Community

From classroom to neighborhood — learning their role in, and responsibility to, the community.

Our Neighborhood · Recycling · Gardening · Farm to Table · Community Art · Friendship & Love · Public Health · Public Safety · Being Part of a Community · Spring

Quarter 4

I Care

The World Around Me

We close the year with the natural world — stewardship and scientific wonder that carry into kindergarten.

Water · Sand & Soil · Weather · Trees & Plants · The Earth · Animals Around Us · Bugs · Birds · Habitats · Summer

Each quarter closes with a Flex & Review Week — time to revisit favorite investigations and reflect before the next Big Idea.

What your child is learning

Eight domains, woven through every day.

Every week, across every age, building progressively through the year.

Language & Literacy

Letter-sound connections, phonological awareness, rich conversation, and a love of stories.

Mathematics

Counting, number sense, patterns, shapes, and measurement — with real materials, not worksheets.

Science & Discovery

Observation, prediction, and weekly theme-based experiments.

Social-Emotional Growth

Identity, self-regulation, empathy, and relationships, practiced every day.

Creative Arts & Expression

Open-ended art, music, and dramatic play that build imagination and problem-solving.

Physical Development

Gross and fine motor skills through movement, outdoor investigation, and hands-on materials.

Practical Life & Independence

Pouring, dressing, caring for materials — building focus, order, and independence.

Grace & Courtesy

Greeting, sharing, and caring for others in everyday classroom life.

How we track growth

You’ll always know where your child is — and what’s next.

Weekly documentation

Photos, work samples, and notes, tracked with Teaching Strategies GOLD®.

Developmental screening

Ages & Stages Questionnaires® at key points flag early where extra support could help.

Kindergarten readiness

Independence, self-regulation, multi-step directions, early literacy, and number sense.

Progress conversations

Regular updates and a sit-down with your child’s teacher about what’s next.

Why do we care this much? It started with one parent.

Our story

Started by a parent who couldn’t find the school she was looking for.

When Lakshmi searched for care for her son Abhi, she found settings focused on supervision rather than development — and no clear way to know if he was reaching his milestones, or how he’d be supported if he learned differently. ElevateChild is the school she wished she’d found.

“To create a world where every child receives the nurturing care they deserve, elevating their full potential through joyful inquiry, creative learning and a strong academic foundation for future success.”

Lakshmi J · Center Director & Owner

The team behind every classroom

Lakshmi J

Center Director & Owner

Founded ElevateChild to give families the transparency and developmental focus she was looking for as a parent.

Aletha Rose

Program Manager

A dynamic Program Manager built on a strong educational foundation, holding a Bachelor of Education, summa cum laude, from Arizona State University. I bring direct experience from diverse educational settings, including teaching at Ingleside Middle School and hands-on experience at Scottsdale Childcare and Learning Center. My expertise lies in translating educational theory and classroom realities into effective program strategy, ensuring high-quality outcomes for students across preschool through middle school and supporting teaching staff.

Patrizia Ruggeri

Operations & Marketing Director

A strategic Operations and Marketing Director, built on a strong foundation from a BA in Business & Marketing from National University CA. I specialize in providing exceptional educational experiences for children, teachers, and parents, driving growth in accredited environments. I have extensive senior leadership experience in both Guidepost Montessori and Reggio-inspired Preschools, focusing on new campus launches and achieving high standards like the Quality First Star Rating. My expertise lies in high-impact recruitment, staff retention through engaging events, and collaborative marketing to build a thriving, vibrant school community

See it for yourself

Watch it all come together in a real day.

Tour the center, then let your child spend a free Shadow Day with us before you decide.

Our Journey

My journey into the world of early childhood education is deeply personal, inspired directly by my search for the best care for my son, Abhi. Like many parents, when it came time to explore childcare options for him, I was often disappointed by what I found. The reality of many local institutions was that they offered a setting focused primarily on supervision and basic care, with minimal emphasis on comprehensive child development or truly preparing little ones for a bright future. As a parent, I consistently struggled to gain transparency, I could never truly understand if and when Abhi was reaching critical developmental milestones, nor was there clarity on how a child might be supported if their learning style was unique or different.

Lakshmi J

Owner & Center Director

This experience sparked a conviction: families deserved better. This realization compelled me to create the nurturing and academically rich environment I was searching for. I embarked on the ElevateChild vision: “To create a world where every child elevates to their full potential through joyful inquiry, a strong academic foundation, and holistic health and physical vitality; where parents experience delightful, proactive partnerships, and where teachers evolve into masterful, early childhood educators.” Elevate Child is the realization of that vision—a center built from the ground up to ensure every child is seen, supported, and given the foundation they need to thrive.

A dedicated Owner and Center Director with an MBA from the University of Chicago, committed to providing exceptional early care and education. I leverage strong business acumen with specialized expertise, holding NAC (National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs) certification. My focus is on creating a nurturing, accredited, and fiscally sound learning environment where young minds thrive. I strive for excellence in both educational quality and operational management.

Management Team

Together, we make a Difference

At ElevateChild, the collaboration between our dedicated educators and supportive families fosters a vibrant learning atmosphere where children flourish. Through this united effort, we equip every student with the academic, social, and emotional tools they need to confidently embrace their future.

Aletha Rose

Patrizia Ruggeri

We elevate every Child to their full potential - by delivering:

Utilizing structured learning to build essential skills for future success.

Honoring the child’s individual voice, curiosity, and expressive spirit.

Fostering well-being as the cornerstone of growth.

Utilizing structured learning to build essential skills for future success. In our commitment, teachers evolve into masterful, early childhood educators, providing the highest caliber of instruction and transparently guiding your family through every developmental milestone.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create delightful experiences for every member of our community: our children, parents, and teachers, building a truly thriving educational environment. For children, our commitment is Safety & Discovery, ensuring emotional and physical security through daily routines, fostering tailored discovery via curriculum, and guaranteeing a safe space for exploration.

For parents and teachers, we apply equally dedicated frameworks. Parents receive Trust & Transparency, maintained through informative interactions, enrollment assurance, daily communication, and live video streaming. Teachers are supported by Safety & Discovery for their professional lives, which includes robust onboarding, daily empowerment, skill advancement through mentorship, and fair compensation for retention.

Our Core Values Define Everything We Do:

Child First

Prioritizing safety, integral learning, and nutritious meals for every child.

Peace of Mind

Providing children and parents with a secure and supportive environment.

Honesty

Upholding transparency and integrity in all our interactions.

Community

Fostering a sense of belonging and connection among children, parents, and staff.

Diversity & Inclusion

Embracing and celebrating differences, ensuring every child feels valued and respected.

Authentic Learning Enhances Development

Discover a high-quality childcare experience that combines logical thinking with real-life applications. Passionate teachers provide individualized attention, introducing children to coding and logical thinking through play. Assessments and reflection help them develop essential life skills, while nutritious meals fuel their discovery and growth.