Welcome to the Cottage Playhouse

The Cottage Playhouse is a family owned business in the heart of Montclair, offering early age education in a nurturing home-like environment for children ages two to five. The mother-daughter duo, Judy Gray and Michelle Sosa, provide a personalized approach in learning pre-kindergarten essentials.

At the Cottage Playhouse, nurturing a child’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm is emphasized through play-based education and peer socialization. Nestled in the hills between Montclair Elementary and the Oakland Public Library, the early age care center offers a safe and whimsical wooded environment rich in trees, flowers, and the occasional deer. Your children can have the best of both living in a culturally rich city environment as well as enjoying the magic of nature just minutes from your home.

This is the 2nd year my son has attended Cottage Playhouse and he loves it. The entire staff is nurturing and really get to know all of the children. I love hearing the little stories about his day when I pick him up. He is thriving and learning so much here. It’s a great feeling to know that he is in exceptional care and I’m so lucky to have found this school. I only wish I knew about it when my daughter was in preschool.

Julie Getze, parent

The Cottage Playhouse was a special place for our son for 3 years as he transitioned from toddler to preschooler. We initially chose Cottage Playhouse as our preschool because of its small size, its flexibility with taking younger children, and the level of attentive care they provided for the kids. What we got was a place where our son thrived and became an outgoing child who loved school, had many friends, and was able to read by his 5th birthday. It is a safe, nurturing and fun environment filled with great people who will take very good care of your child. And it is a place that gently eases them into learning and growth so that they are prepared for what’s to come in kindergarten. Michelle, Judy and their teachers are truly a special group.