Larch was founded by a mother who wanted to create the kind of environment she dreamed of for her own child — a place filled with warmth, curiosity, and connection. What began as a simple wish for a nurturing space soon grew into a community where children can learn through play, relationships, and hands-on discovery. At Larch, we believe that learning is most powerful when it happens in an atmosphere of love, trust, and exploration.

The story of Larch is deeply personal. It began with one mother’s search for a place where her child could feel safe, seen, and inspired every day. When she couldn’t find the kind of learning environment she envisioned — one rooted in social-emotional care, creativity, and the natural world — she decided to build it herself. The name “Larch” was chosen because of the tree’s unique nature: strong, adaptable, and ever-growing, and rooted in Montana wilderness, just like the children who fill our space with laughter and discovery.

At the heart of Larch is a simple philosophy: children learn best when they are cared for, respected, and given room to explore. Our days are filled with hands-on experiences that encourage imagination, independence, and connection. We prioritize social-emotional growth — helping children understand their feelings, express themselves, and build healthy relationships with others. Through play, storytelling, art, and time in nature, we nurture each child’s curiosity and sense of wonder.

Our programs are designed to meet children where they are, recognizing that every stage of development brings its own joys and challenges. From our youngest explorers, who are just beginning to discover the world around them, to our older learners preparing for school, each program emphasizes emotional growth, creativity, and the confidence to take risks in learning. A typical day at Larch includes morning circle time, outdoor exploration, art projects, sensory play and indoor free play, all in an enviroment set to teach life lessons on how to interact with our classmates .

The Larch environment itself reflects our values. Classrooms are filled with natural materials, soft light, and open-ended toys that invite imagination. Outdoor spaces encourage exploration and connection with the earth — through large motor skill exercise, climbing, digging and play in all seasons. We’ve created a setting that feels like home: calm, welcoming, and full of opportunities for discovery.

Behind Larch is a team of passionate educators who share a deep belief in the power of connection and care. The wonderful humans dedicating their day to the development of our children are to be celebrated. The importance of the teacher-child relationship is essential and why Larch has a 6-1 ratio in our classrooms along with focusing on teacher retention. Together, our team fosters a sense of belonging and joy that makes learning come alive.

Family is at the center of everything we do. We view parents as partners in each child’s journey and prioritize open communication. It really does take a village to raise the next generation!

For families interested in joining Larch, we invite you to visit, experience our environment, and see firsthand how we support children’s growth through care and play. Our enrollment process is simple and welcoming, with opportunities to meet our educators, explore our programs, and ask questions about schedules, tuition, and community life.

At Larch, we are more than a school — we are a community built from love, grounded in care, and growing together. Every moment of play, every act of kindness, and every new discovery reminds us why Larch was founded in the first place: to give children a space where they can thrive — emotionally, socially, and joyfully.