El Nido Family
Play,
Community
& Support
A journey of seeing, understanding, and nurturing the whole child — from the very first days.
El Nido Family
A journey of seeing, understanding, and nurturing the whole child — from the very first days.
My Story
From the first visit to a Montessori school to building a community where families feel supported.
2003
2016 – 2021
2021
Now
8 weeks – early cruisers
An intentional space for you & baby: to slow down, be present and build trust in your baby's innate abilities to move, explore and learn. Join us to marvel at how capable and competent your baby is and find a supportive community.
"Respecting infants as whole human beings begins with seeing them as capable and competent."
— Magda Gerber
8 weeks to emerging crawlers
A gentle, unhurried space where infants are seen as capable and competent — free to move, explore, and discover at their own pace.
Active crawlers – early cruisers
As your baby grows more mobile, we create the space for spontaneous, self-initiated movement — nurturing the intrinsic motivation to explore and master their world.
Confident walkers · 3 years
Toddlers are my favorite humans — they see the world with so much awe and wonder! They desire so much to understand this world which is so new to them. They desire to understand feelings, emotions, experiences and most of all relationships: how do I belong with you? how do you see me? They also want to be considered as contributing members — their constant pleas for "help me do it myself", if met with support and guidance, can lead to a burgeoning sense of self that says, "I can do it!"
If only the world could slow down to meet their pace!
Join us to follow the pace, the stages and the interests of toddlers so we can observe to understand and understand to support them in a space that is guided by RIE and Montessori to foster their developing sense of self-awareness and capabilities. Some classes are hosted at Montessori schools or a space that allows for a deeper engagement with a thoughtfully prepared environment to meet their emerging skills.
Watch this space for announcements — and express your interest to join one below.
Care and Support
Every family I've interacted with desires to be the best parents they can be. Montessori and RIE offered me understanding and support on my own parenting journey — and continue to do so. I want this deeply for every family.
It's the first step to making your little one feel — "aah! this is my space." A thoughtfully prepared home environment communicates to your child that this space is safe to move, explore, and discover what they are capable of. Together we design a space that honours their developmental stage and invites their curiosity.
Get in Touch →We all need somebody who will understand us, consider our evolving needs and meet us where we are — imagine if your child felt understood, considered and supported where he or she is. What would this relationship feel like?
Children want to feel considered, feel fully seen and heard — and so do the adults caring for them. Children want strong leaders, capable and confident. They need boundaries so they can have a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. Children also want "direct and simple" directions that guide them.
How do we establish a "partnership" with our children? How do we build trust? And not just love them — but enjoy "being with" them?
Get in Touch →At Home
Needing guidance with your child at home? Need support to coach a nanny or a family member who steps in as an additional caregiver? Can't figure out which toys are developmentally appropriate? Too many toys causing an overwhelm?
At School
Needing support with a new classroom guide or assistant? Needing guidance with meeting the needs of your classroom?
Get in Touch
About Corine
I'm passionate about infants and toddlers feeling understood and supported. I imagine a world where communities are designed to gather, to empower, to educate, to guide — and to support families from the very beginning.
My journey began in 2003, and has taken me through Montessori certification, years of working with children, families and studio playgroups, and a deep immersion in the transformative philosophy of RIE — and currently a RIE practicum student. Every step has been guided by the families who trusted me with their most precious moments.
Families
★★★★★
"Since attending the classes, I have seen my son become more independent along with improving his fine motor skills. Corine has helped me step back and allow him to figure it out on his own. I have seen so much growth."
★★★★★
"El Nido is a true community. The space Corine has created is thoughtful, warm, and unlike anything I have found anywhere else. My daughter lights up the moment we walk through the door."
★★★★★
"Corine has a gift for helping parents slow down and truly see their children. The RIE approach has changed the way I communicate with my baby entirely. I cannot recommend El Nido enough."
Connect
Have a question about our classes? Ready to join? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out and we'll be in touch.
Phone (text only)
Location
Missouri City, Texas
Classes at St. Catherine's Montessori
