Montessori Kids Land Academy Opens to Put Kids First

Helping children build a solid foundation and providing them with tools for education are the goals at Montessori Kids Land Academy, and that's what the child care business will continue to aim for after being officially welcomed to Redlands with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its center located at 31587 Alta Vista Drive in Redlands on June 4, representatives said. "We want to provide a safe, reliable and high-quality education program from ages 6 weeks to 6 years, to help children reach their full potential," said MKLA owner and director Lalita Bakshi, who established the MLKA in 2006 and last July opened the infant and pre-school centers. Bakshi explained that children are provided with "intellectual, physical, social, emotional and inner guideline skills needed for everyday interactions with family, school(mates) and friends" through the center's various programs in services, which teach curriculum ranging from language arts, to culture, to science, to sensory development, to musical enrichment, and more. Developed by Italian physician and educator Montessori, a "Montessori Education" is based on stages of development, the center's website explains. Holding the belief that children are drawn to different skills and activities, and can make large progress when allowed to further develop these interests, at MLKA, children are "provided opportunities to explore, learn and practice by accommodating and building on a child's natural needs and tendencies, by focusing on understanding, and developing their behaviors to build positive inclinations," the MKLA website states. Bakshi was joined by staff and other local and state leaders to celebrate the opening and officially cut the ribbon on the center. Javier De Leon, a spokesperson for MKLA, said, "Montessori Kids Land Academy had a successful ribbon cutting and grand opening. We want to give thanks to the Chambers of Commerce from Redlands, Yucaipa, and Loma Linda for their continual support of our dream to serve the the youth. We also want to give a special thanks to Redlands Mayor Paul Foster, for being present to cut the ribbon, and representatives from the offices of Congressmen Pete Aguilar of the 31st district, Yucaipa Councilman David Avila, Assemblyman Mike Steinorth of the 40th District, San Bernardino Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos, Senator Mike Morrell of the 23rd Senate District, and Assemblyman Chad Mayes of the 42nd District." De Leon also reiterated the center's slogan: "Here at Montessori Kids Land Academy, 'kids come first,'" he said. Bakshi said that despite being a new school, MKLA is already enrolled to 50 percent capacity. For more information on MKLA, visit them at www.montessorikidslandacademy.com.