Essential Montessori
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About Essential Montessori
Essential Montessori is a licensed child care center in Hiawatha, Iowa. It is licensed by the state.
It describes a Montessori approach, with full-time care, part-time care and preschool. It lists monthly tuition from $172 to $345.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services made 5 visits in the last 3 years and cited 13 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
- Type
- Child care center
- Ages
- Ages three through six
- Hours today
- Not listed
- Capacity
- Not listed
Hours
Hours
Programs
Programs and care
| Ages | Ages three through six |
|---|---|
| Programs | Full-time care, part-time care and preschool |
| Approach | Montessori |
| Class size | Serving twenty children at one time |
| Staff | Directress has over thirty years of experience in the Montessori primary classroom |
| Safety | Outdoor playground |
| More | Founded 1992 |
Cost
Tuition and costs
Essential Montessori lists monthly tuition from $172 to $345. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Linn County has a median price of $166 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
| Monthly · program, in its own words | Price |
|---|---|
| five sessions/week | $345 |
| four sessions/week | $340 |
| three sessions/week | $224 |
| two sessions/week | $172 |
Infant
Toddler
Preschool
School age
State record
Inspection reports for Essential Montessori
License
- Status
- Licensed and operating
- License type
- Licensed Center
- License number
- #25044
Summary
5 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Oct 9, 2025: 8 rules cited
Rules cited on 3 of 5 visits · 13 rules in all
- Background checks 4
- Safety and hazards 4
- Health, medication and illness 2
- Building, equipment and play areas 2
- Staff training and qualifications 1
For comparison: 88% of Iowa daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
See all 7 visits
Oct 9, 2025Inspection8 rules cited
109.6(4)d
“Center repeats national criminal history checks at a minimum of every four years or when aware of additional history that occurs.”
109.6(4)c
“Center repeats Iowa record checks at a minimum of every two years or when aware of additional child abuse or criminal history that occurs.”
109.9(2)h
“Signed and dated valid Certificate of Immunization, Certificate of Immunization Exemption, or Provisional Certificate of Immunization, provided by the department must be on file for each child enrolled as required by Iowa Administrative Code 641—7.”
109.9(1)c
“All files contain documentation to indicate that ongoing staff training requirements are met, including current certifications in first aid/CPR and mandatory child abuse training.”
109.9(1)b
“All files contain a pre-employment physical exam report completed within six months prior to hire and at least every three years. Physical exams shall be documented on form 470- 5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report.”
109.11(8)c
“All centers: Annual inspection prior to heating season of all fuel-burning appliances to reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and shall install one carbon monoxide detector on each floor that conforms to UL Standard 2034.”
109.11(4)b
“Record of monthly inspections of outdoor recreation area and equipment shall be kept.”
109.10(13)b
“Emergency instructions, phone numbers, and diagrams for fire, tornado, and flood shall be visibly posted and documented at least once a month for fire and tornado. Records shall be maintained for current and previous year.”
- Sep 22, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
- May 7, 2025Complaint investigationNo rules cited
Nov 21, 2024Inspection5 rules cited
109.9(1)d
“All files contain a pre-employment physical exam report completed within six months prior to hire and at least every three years. Physical exams shall be documented on form 470- 5152, Child Care Provider Physical Examination Report.”
109.6(6)c
“Center repeats Iowa record checks at a minimum of every two years or when aware of additional child abuse or criminal history that occurs.”
109.11(3)d
“Record of monthly inspections of outdoor recreation area and equipment shall be kept.”
109.10(15)b
“Emergency instructions, phone numbers, and diagrams for fire, tornado, and flood shall be visibly posted and documented at least once a month for fire and tornado. Records shall be maintained for current and previous year.”
109.11(7)c
“All centers: Annual inspection prior to heating season of all fuel-burning appliances to reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and shall install one carbon monoxide detector on each floor that conforms to UL Standard 2034.”
- Oct 22, 2024InspectionNo rules cited
- Sep 7, 2023InspectionNo rules cited
- Oct 21, 2022InspectionNo rules cited
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FAQ
Questions about Essential Montessori
Is Essential Montessori licensed?
Yes. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists it as licensed and operating.
When was Essential Montessori last inspected?
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists the most recent visit on October 9, 2025, with 8 rules cited. It lists 5 visits in the last 3 years.
Has Essential Montessori had rules cited by the state?
Yes. Inspectors cited 13 rules across 3 of 5 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 88% of Iowa daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 0. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
What are Essential Montessori's hours?
Its hours are not listed. Call (319) 378-3100 to confirm.
How much does Essential Montessori cost?
Monthly tuition from $172 to $345, as it lists it.
What is Essential Montessori's phone number?
(319) 378-3100.
Where is Essential Montessori?
Hiawatha, IA.