A Mother's Love in Chattanooga: Small-Group Infant and Toddler Care with a Montessori Approach
A Mother's Love is a six-child capacity home-based child care provider in Chattanooga that specializes in infants and toddlers under three years old, operating as a licensed family child care home focused on Montessori-inspired learning. It serves parents who need flexible scheduling and individualized attention for very young children, positioning itself at the opposite end of the spectrum from larger Chattanooga day care centers that handle mixed age groups and operate on rigid nine-to-five schedules.
What A Mother's Love actually is
A Mother's Love operates from a residential setting and holds a Tennessee Department of Human Services family child care home license, which permits up to six unrelated children at a time. The provider emphasizes Montessori principles adapted for infants and toddlers: self-directed exploration, respect for developmental pace, and prepared environments where children choose activities. This differs meaningfully from traditional day care models where staff direct structured group activities. The six-child cap means staffing ratios remain low and each child receives direct attention throughout the day, not just during designated one-on-one time.
Services and pricing
A Mother's Love charges $1,200 per month for full-time care (five days weekly, typically 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Part-time rates run $180 per day for drop-in or occasional care, making it accessible for parents who need supplemental coverage alongside work-from-home or shifted schedules. The provider offers flexible extended hours upon request; confirm current availability when you call. Weekly rates and sibling discounts are available. Unlike larger centers that charge registration and supply fees on top of tuition, A Mother's Love includes materials and learning supplies in the quoted monthly rate, reducing hidden costs for families.
How A Mother's Love compares to other Chattanooga options
Larger Chattanooga centers like Bright Horizons and Kindred Kids Academy serve wider age ranges (newborn through pre-K) and charge $1,350 to $1,600 monthly for infant care, with separate enrollment fees and supply costs that push total first-month expenses higher. Both offer backup care networks and operate with evening hours, an advantage if your schedule is unpredictable. However, both operate with eight to ten infants per room and require advance notice for schedule changes.
A Mother's Love suits parents seeking a smaller, home-like environment where the same caregiver works with your child daily and knows their rhythms intimately. It does not suit families needing backup care or those whose work schedule shifts frequently, because availability depends on one provider and no substitute coverage exists. It works well for second children in families already using infant care, since the Montessori approach builds on earlier exposure to self-directed learning. Conversely, it is not appropriate for parents who prioritize school readiness curricula or want documented lesson plans typical of accredited Montessori schools.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Choose A Mother's Love if you live in or near its Chattanooga location, value consistency and low caregiver-to-child ratios above all else, and can commit to consistent pickup and drop-off times. It works especially well for parents who work from home some days and need flexible half-days. Do not choose it if you require backup care options, need evening or weekend coverage, or want your child transitioned to a school-readiness program at age three on-site.
What the first visit involves
Contact A Mother's Love by phone or through Chattanooga referral sources (the city's Child Care Resource and Referral Service maintains a searchable database). Most home-based providers ask for a brief phone screening to confirm scheduling fit and your child's age, then schedule a 30-minute home visit so you can observe the physical space, ask questions, and let your child meet the caregiver. Bring three references from previous families if you have them; the provider will likely ask about your daily rhythm, feeding and sleep needs, and any health or behavioral concerns. A sample day typically begins on the following Monday or with two to three weeks' notice during slower enrollment periods.
Hours, parking, and logistics
A Mother's Love operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended hours (until 6:00 p.m.) available by request and confirmation. The provider's Chattanooga address provides driveway parking for one car during pickup and drop-off. Confirm current hours and the exact address when you call, as home-based providers occasionally adjust schedules seasonally. Late pickup fees typically apply after posted closing time; ask for the exact fee when you enroll.
A Mother's Love fills the niche in Chattanooga's child care landscape where parents need more than occasional babysitting but fewer structured services than a traditional day care center offers. Its small scale and single-provider model make it irreplaceable for families seeking continuity and Montessori-influenced early learning without the overhead and impersonality of larger facilities.
