Montessori School of Novato | Established Child Care Business and Real Estate Opportunity

Located at 1466 South Novato Boulevard in Novato, California, this offering presents the opportunity to acquire a long-established Montessori child care business and its approximately 0.91-acre Marin County campus.

Montessori School of Novato has served local families for more than 35 years and operates from a recognizable, established location configured specifically for early education. The school combines a proven operating history, experienced staff, organized financial reporting, flexible program options, and meaningful opportunities for continued growth.

The owner is preparing for retirement after transitioning the majority of daily administrative and classroom responsibilities to experienced staff.

Opportunity Highlights

• Established Montessori school operating at this location since approximately 1985

• Licensed capacity of 60 children

• Current enrollment of approximately 48 children

• Two primary classrooms and one toddler classroom

• Approximately 33 children currently participate in extended-day care

• Approximately 0.91-acre child care campus

• Long-tenured lead educators and established administrative systems

• Approximately $880,000 in reported 2025 gross revenue

• Approximately $382,000 in reported gross revenue through April 2026

• Seller-prepared 2025 adjusted operating income of approximately $163,000, subject to buyer verification

• Updated Summer 2026 tuition schedule

• Recent capital improvements throughout the campus

• Opportunity to acquire the business and real estate together

• Potential business-only acquisition structure may also be considered

• Possible longer-term alternative-use or redevelopment optionality, subject to independent investigation and governmental approvals

Established Montessori Operations

Montessori School of Novato provides toddler and preschool education using an established Montessori curriculum focused on independence, concentration, responsibility, self-discipline, and respect for others.

The current classroom structure includes:

• One toddler classroom

• Two primary classrooms serving children approximately 3 to 5 years old

• Morning, school-day, and extended-day program options

• Three-day, four-day, and five-day attendance schedules

• Operating hours extending from approximately 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The school follows a calendar that closely aligns with the Novato Unified School District and also offers summer programming.

The current program structure provides families with a range of attendance and extended-care options while allowing the school to serve both traditional preschool families and households requiring full-day care.

Enrollment and Licensing

The school is licensed for 60 children and currently reports approximately 48 enrolled students.

Current classroom enrollment includes:

• Approximately 21 children in the larger primary classroom

• Approximately 14 children in the second primary classroom

• Approximately 13 children in the toddler classroom

Approximately 33 enrolled children remain for afternoon or extended-day care.

Enrollment was affected by the expansion of Universal Transitional Kindergarten, but ownership reports that the school has largely recovered by strengthening enrollment among younger age groups. The school has historically developed a seasonal waitlist during the fall, with a high percentage of waitlisted families enrolling when space becomes available.

Licensing records, classroom capacity information, enrollment schedules, and supporting operational documentation are available for buyer review.

Financial Overview

The business maintains its financial records through QuickBooks and uses QuickBooks Payroll for employee compensation and reporting.

Reported Gross Revenue

• 2024: Approximately $772,000

• 2025: Approximately $880,000

• January through April 2026: Approximately $382,000

Adjusted Operating Performance

Seller-prepared normalization schedules indicate approximately $163,000 in adjusted operating income for 2025. These adjustments include certain owner-related expenses and nonrecurring property improvements.

The business currently records approximately $60,000 in annual rent paid to related real estate ownership. The treatment of this occupancy expense will depend on whether a buyer acquires the business and real estate together or completes a business-only acquisition with a new lease.

The school also utilizes deferred tuition accounting to match tuition receipts with the applicable operating periods. Buyers should review the timing and treatment of deferred tuition when analyzing historical and projected performance.

Detailed Profit and Loss statements, balance sheets, normalization schedules, payroll information, and supporting financial records are available for qualified buyer review.

All financial information is seller-provided and remains subject to independent buyer verification.

Tuition and Revenue Opportunity

Tuition has historically been adjusted to reflect inflation and operating costs. A new tuition schedule became effective for Summer 2026.

Current annual tuition varies by age group, number of attendance days, and program hours. Full-day annual tuition reaches approximately $20,000 per child for certain program options.

Potential opportunities to increase revenue include:

• Filling the remaining licensed enrollment capacity

• Expanding awareness of extended-day programs

• Increasing utilization of three-day and four-day schedules

• Strengthening toddler enrollment as a pipeline into the primary classrooms

• Evaluating an 18-month toddler program, subject to licensing and facility approval

• Continuing disciplined annual tuition adjustments

• Expanding summer and supplemental programming where appropriate

The existing toddler program provides a natural feeder into the school’s primary classrooms and may help support longer family retention.

Experienced Staff and Delegated Management

The school has an established team consisting of head teachers, classroom assistants, and administrative support personnel.

Several key employees have substantial tenure, including lead educators who have worked with the school since approximately 1997 and 2003. This continuity provides institutional knowledge, established family relationships, and familiarity with the school’s Montessori curriculum and daily procedures.

Senior staff currently assist with:

• Admissions and family communication

• Staffing and scheduling

• Tuition billing

• Classroom oversight

• Daily administration

• Program operations

Current ownership is described as having relatively limited day-to-day involvement. The owner primarily assists with occasional maintenance and property oversight, while administrative and educational functions have largely been delegated.

A buyer should independently determine the post-closing management structure, staffing requirements, employee retention strategy, and any replacement costs associated with ownership responsibilities.

Real Estate and Campus

The property is located at:

1466 South Novato Boulevard
Novato, California 94947

Public records report the following:

• Approximately 39,600 square feet of land

• Approximately 0.91 acres

• Approximately 1,958 square feet in the original building

• Approximately 600 square feet of garage area

• Original construction dating to approximately 1954

• Marin County Assessor Parcel Number 152-041-32

The operating campus also includes a large modular classroom and converted or improved areas that are not fully reflected in the public-record building area. Seller estimates place the total usable campus improvements at approximately 3,000 to 3,500 square feet.

The campus includes:

• Permanent school building

• Large modular classroom

• Converted garage or instructional space

• Multiple classrooms

• Administrative and support areas

• Outdoor play areas

• Gazebo

• Deck and sandbox improvements

• Landscaped campus grounds

The modular classroom was reportedly installed during the late 1980s and has been used as part of the school campus for decades. Seller represents that major additions and improvements were completed with applicable permits, but buyers should independently confirm building permits, certificates of occupancy, licensing approvals, square footage, and allowable uses.

Property Condition and Recent Improvements

Ownership reports that the property has been consistently maintained and does not have significant known deferred maintenance.

Recent capital projects and improvements include:

• Replacement of the modular classroom roof

• Installation of a heat pump serving the modular classroom

• Exterior painting

• Dry rot repairs

• Gazebo improvements

• New deck and sandbox work

• Tree trimming completed for insurance purposes

• Ongoing landscaping and property maintenance

Seller reports that the plumbing, electrical systems, roofing, and overall facility are in good operating condition. Ownership currently anticipates that interior painting may be the principal cosmetic project needed during the next several years.

A prior mold condition identified through indoor air testing was professionally remediated. Seller reports that post-remediation clearance testing was completed. Supporting reports should be reviewed during buyer due diligence.

All property-condition statements are based on seller representations and available records. Buyers should conduct their own physical inspections and engage qualified contractors and consultants.

Growth and Value-Creation Potential

A new owner may have several opportunities to strengthen enrollment, revenue, and long-term value.

Enrollment Growth

The school currently has available licensed capacity. Targeted marketing, improved digital lead conversion, expanded community outreach, and continued development of the toddler-to-primary pipeline may help increase enrollment.

Younger-Age Programming

Ownership believes that adding an 18-month toddler classroom or program could be a meaningful opportunity. Any expansion would require independent confirmation of licensing ratios, facility requirements, staffing, outdoor space, and other regulatory considerations.

Extended-Day Utilization

A significant portion of current students already participate in extended-day care. Additional utilization of these programs may provide incremental revenue without requiring a major change to the school’s core educational model.

Tuition Management

The school has historically implemented regular tuition increases. Continued market-based tuition management may support margins while preserving the school’s competitive position.

Operational Efficiency

A buyer may identify additional opportunities through staffing optimization, expense controls, technology, centralized administration, purchasing efficiencies, or integration with an existing child care platform.

Real Estate Optionality

The approximately 0.91-acre site may provide longer-term alternative-use or redevelopment potential. Any such opportunity is subject to zoning, general plan designations, licensing requirements, easements, density limitations, city approvals, and other governmental or physical constraints.

No representation is made regarding the feasibility or value of any redevelopment scenario. Buyers should independently consult the City of Novato and their own land-use professionals.

Flexible Acquisition Structure

Ownership is open to evaluating multiple transaction structures, including:

• Acquisition of the operating business and real estate together

• Acquisition of the operating business with a new lease

• Seller retention of the real estate under mutually acceptable lease terms

The preferred structure, purchase allocation, lease economics, financing contingencies, transition assistance, and closing schedule should be clearly presented within the buyer’s Letter of Intent.

Seller financing has not been offered or confirmed and should not be assumed.

Transition and Buyer Profile

The opportunity may be well suited for:

• Experienced child care owner-operators

• Montessori educators seeking ownership

• Regional child care platforms

• Strategic operators expanding into Marin County

• Investors partnering with qualified school leadership

• Real estate buyers seeking an established educational use

The seller’s retirement creates an opportunity for a buyer to acquire an established operating platform with experienced staff, existing enrollment, organized records, and a purpose-built campus.

Transition terms and the seller’s availability following closing will be negotiated as part of the transaction.

Confidentiality and Property Access

This is an operating child care facility. Buyer confidentiality and strict coordination are required.

Please do not:

• Visit the property without a confirmed appointment

• Contact ownership directly

• Contact employees, families, vendors, or licensing personnel

• Discuss the potential sale with anyone associated with the school

• Enter classrooms or operating areas without broker and seller authorization

All tours must be coordinated through Child Care Insite and may require confirmation of financial qualifications before interior access is approved.

Next Steps

Qualified buyers are encouraged to:

• Review the confidential financial and operating materials

• Provide proof of funds or lender prequalification

• Submit questions regarding the business, staffing, licensing, or real estate

• Schedule a broker-coordinated property tour

• Prepare a Letter of Intent outlining price, structure, financing, timing, contingencies, and transition expectations

This offering combines a long operating history, recognizable Montessori identity, experienced staff, increasing revenue, available enrollment capacity, and a substantial Marin County campus.

Buyers seeking an established child care platform with both immediate operations and longer-term value-creation potential are encouraged to complete their review and submit an acquisition proposal.

All information has been obtained from ownership, public records, and other sources believed reliable. Child Care Insite has not independently verified all information. Buyers must independently investigate the business, financial performance, licensing, enrollment, employees, real estate, property condition, zoning, permits, environmental matters, and suitability for their intended use.