Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 01/20/2026

School Name: Rolling Hills Montessori

At Rolling Hills Montessori, we honor the dignity, individuality, and privacy of every child and family. In alignment with the Montessori philosophy and California Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regulations, we are committed to safeguarding personal and confidential information entrusted to us.

1. Information We Collect

To provide a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate Montessori environment, we collect the following information:

Child Information

Full name, date of birth, and enrollment records
Health and medical information required by California licensing (including immunizations, allergies, and emergency medical authorization forms)
Observation records, developmental notes, and work samples used to support each child’s Montessori learning journey
Attendance records, incident/accident reports, and licensing-required documentation

Parent / Guardian Information

Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
Emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons
Tuition and billing information
Custody or court orders, when applicable and legally required

Photographs and Media

Photos or videos of children for classroom documentation, Montessori observation, parent communication, or school materials
Media is only used with written parental consent, in compliance with California regulations

2. Purpose of Information Collection

Information is collected and used exclusively to:

Support each child’s growth, independence, and development within the Montessori environment
Ensure children’s health, safety, and well-being
Communicate effectively with families
Maintain accurate records required by the California Community Care Licensing Department
Respond appropriately to medical or emergency situations

Rolling Hills Montessori does not sell, rent, or use personal information for marketing or commercial purposes.

3. Montessori Observation and Documentation

In accordance with Montessori practice, teachers may observe and document children’s work and behavior to:

Better understand each child’s developmental needs
Prepare and adapt the learning environment
Support individualized learning

These observations are confidential, used solely for educational purposes, and shared only with parents/guardians and authorized staff.

4. Confidentiality and Data Security

Rolling Hills Montessori takes all reasonable steps to protect personal information, including:

Secure storage of physical records in locked files
Password-protected electronic systems
Limited access to records by authorized staff only
Staff training on confidentiality, child privacy, and mandated reporting

All employees and volunteers are required to maintain confidentiality in accordance with Montessori ethics and California law.

5. Disclosure of Information

Personal information may be shared only when:

Required by the California Community Care Licensing Department or other regulatory agencies
Necessary for emergency medical care
Requested by authorized educational or support professionals with written parental consent
Required by law (e.g., mandated reporting obligations)

Information is never shared unnecessarily or without proper authorization.

6. Children’s Right to Privacy

We respect children as capable individuals deserving of privacy. Personal information, observations, and records are handled discreetly and shared only with those who have a legitimate need to know.

7. Parent and Guardian Rights

Parents and legal guardians have the right to:

Review their child’s records at any time, as permitted by California licensing
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Withdraw consent for photographs or media use
Ask questions regarding data collection, storage, and confidentiality

Requests should be made in writing to the school administration.

8. Record Retention and Destruction

Records are retained for the time period required by California Community Care Licensing and applicable laws. When records are no longer required, they are securely destroyed to protect confidentiality.

9. Website and Digital Communication (If Applicable)

If Rolling Hills Montessori uses digital platforms:

Information collected is limited to what is necessary for communication or enrollment
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children online
Third-party platforms are selected with attention to privacy and data security standards

10. Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes in licensing requirements or school practices. Families will be notified of significant updates, and the most current policy will be available upon request.

11. Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:

Rolling Hills Montessori
Michelle Collins
310-377-5722
rollinghillsmontessori7@gmail.com