Busy Bees Montessori School

Best Montessori Education in Mount Prospect | Guiding Independent Minds

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Busy Bees Montessori School

Best Montessori Education in Mount Prospect | Guiding Independent Minds

Book a Tour

The Director’s Message

Maricela Mata

Founder & Executive Director

Welcome to Busy Bees Montessori School.

As a mother, educator, and school leader, I understand that choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family will make. Parents are not simply looking for childcare; they are looking for a place where their child will be loved, respected, challenged, and inspired.

At Busy Bees Montessori School, we believe every child is born with incredible potential. Our role is not to fill children with information, but to guide them as they develop independence, confidence, concentration, kindness, and a lifelong love of learning.

Our Montessori classrooms are carefully prepared to nurture the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Children learn through meaningful hands-on experiences, develop responsibility for themselves and their environment, and gain the confidence to become capable, independent thinkers.

What makes Busy Bees special is the sense of community that exists between our children, teachers, and families. We are honored to partner with parents during the most important years of development and to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive.

Every day, we witness children accomplishing things they once thought impossible. These moments remind us that education is not simply about preparing children for school—it is about preparing them for life.

Thank you for considering Busy Bees Montessori School. We look forward to welcoming your family and sharing the Montessori journey together.

Warmly,

Maricela Mata
Founder & Executive Director
Busy Bees Montessori School
Guiding Independent Minds®

Meet Our Founder & Executive Director

As a mother, educator, and lifelong learner, I believe every child has unique gifts and the potential to thrive when guided with respect, purpose, and encouragement.

Originally from Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico, I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1998. After moving to the United States in 2002, I pursued my passion for Montessori education, earning my Montessori Diploma in 2012 and Montessori Leadership Diploma in 2020.

With more than 25 years of experience, I founded Busy Bees Montessori School with a vision of creating a nurturing community where children develop independence, confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning. Together with our dedicated team, we are committed to helping every child discover their full potential.

Maricela Mata
Founder & Executive Director
Busy Bees Montessori School
Guiding Independent Minds®

Our History

Busy Bees Montessori School began in 2002 as a small home daycare in Chicago, Illinois, serving infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Built on a passion for early childhood education and a commitment to nurturing young minds, the program quickly earned the trust of local families.

A few years later, Busy Bees relocated to Arlington Heights, where it continued to grow and serve the community for nearly a decade. As enrollment increased and the vision expanded, the school moved to a larger facility at South Church in Mount Prospect, providing even more children with an authentic Montessori experience.

After six wonderful years at South Church, Busy Bees Montessori School moved to its current home in 2020 at Christian Life Church, located at 400 E. Gregory Street in Mount Prospect.

What began as a small home daycare has grown into a thriving Montessori school, guided by the same values that inspired its founding: respect for the child, a love of learning, strong family partnerships, and a commitment to helping every child reach their full potential.

Today, Busy Bees Montessori School proudly continues its mission of Guiding Independent Minds® while serving families throughout the Northwest suburbs.

About Us

We believe education is most successful when families and educators work together. Through an authentic Montessori environment, we guide children to become confident, independent, respectful, and capable individuals, building a foundation that supports lifelong learning and personal growth.

Busy Bees Montessori Benefits

Order

Your child experiences an environment that is prepared with everything needed to develop orderly work habits, fostering task analysis, problem solving and decision making.

Concentration

Your child’s attention span will broaden and deepen, supporting good study habits.

Coordination

Your child will prepare the hand for writing and train the eye for reading. Large and fine motor activities promote coordination.

Independence

Your child will learn to work without needing constant adult supervision. Self-sufficiency develops with everyday tasks like fastening clothes and preparing snacks

Responsibility

Your child will have daily opportunities to learn about the importance of following through on choices and working on an activity to its conclusion.

Respect

Your child will work with opportunities that promote the respect of their friends, teachers, adults, environment, living things and earth.

Resilient

Your child will have the opportunity to learn by making mistakes and will learn that there are more than one way to solve problems and to keep trying until they accomplish their goals.

Socialization

Your child will have abundant opportunities to meet, interact, and make friends, and practice the skills that enable successful social give and take. Practice grace and courtesy.