https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 11:23:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673475 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:54:26 +0000 Cole 1673475@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaChin: I don't mind at all, I don't have a little one yet but I taught at a Montessori school and then nannied for two kids who attend Montessori. I took care of them full time for 3 years and now see them weekly at least. Both have attended from age 2.5 through the end of kindergarten. </p> <p>Both have great problem solving skills and are capable of being very independent. Because they start academics at a young age they both have a sturdier base of knowledge to build on than I see with the kids I nanny for who attend traditional preschool (not daycare and it's okay based). It's such a tactile, multi-sensory approach that watching them transition to paper and pencil work is really cool. The 6 year old closes her eyes when she gets a tricky problem and can literally visualize the Montessori materials and come up with the right answer. They both have a staggering thirst for knowledge and this was something I noticed a lot of while teaching. Because they are taught to go find the answer they seem to realize earlier that they have the power to solve problems. </p> <p>Don't get me wrong though, while I firmly believe their school had a large influence on them Montessori isn't the end all be all for all kids. Plus they have two well educated parents and had a full time nanny and all three of us happily worked hard to develop these traits in them. Ultimately studies show a great preschool program makes a world of difference for under privileged kids and very little for privileged kids with educated and engaged parents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673340 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:54:03 +0000 Alivoo01 1673340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaChin: DS is 10 months old and the eldest kid at the place is probably 5th grade? But average age is probably 3-5 years old. They all hang out together at various times of the day. DS loves hanging out with the older kids, and doesn't care much for being put in the infant room. He enjoys all the commotion and watching them do their learning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673292 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:38:01 +0000 lizzywiz 1673292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Assuming quality of care is same, I picked the Montessori, even though I don't care about that. I liked the walkability, and I actually liked the age differences.<br /> We did both- regular/factory daycare with 'baby room' and something more like what you are describing and I felt like being with the big kids was awesome. She seemed interested in what they were doing and liked copying them. The staff was great about keeping the LOs safe, even with bigger kids running around and had good methods (like a loooong gate that separated the room when it was better to keep the lil ones separate). It is awesome that you have to good choices! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673288 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:36:50 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1673288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hard choice. Location was KEY for us - to the point of paying a little extra to have the opportunity to literally walk next door. But I like the gym of the second one - our center has that too (it's an extension of a church, but a nice facility), and it will be GREAT for the LO's for all the cold winter weather. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673200 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:18:52 +0000 MamaChin 1673200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: goldfish and crackers abound at this one unfortunately, they do also offer fruit. How do you feel your LO has benefitted from the Montessori program? Sorry if this seems nosy or like an interview, I'm just really curious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673187 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:15:47 +0000 MamaChin 1673187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alivoo01: there were 2 teachers in the room at both places so there's at most 10 kids in each class, I'm ok with that number. The thing about th age range that worry me that LO will be one of the youngest at 19 months. There is such a huge difference between a 1.5 year old and a almost 3 year old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673178 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:13:06 +0000 LuLu Mom 1673178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Regular school from information provided. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673174 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:12:35 +0000 Cole 1673174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I vote Montessori. I love Montessori so that is part of my bias and I have seen kids do extremely well with the wide age groups. I also like the idea of the proximity and walkability. I would however ask them more about the security factor. If they change the code frequently and have someone paying attention to incoming visitors that would help allay some worry there. Personally, I am also interested in the types of food that would be served. One Montessori school I taught in had great snacks, in the toddler room they all ate snack together which led to some positive peer pressure and it was lots of stuff like veggie soup, salsa and chips, plain yogurt with a bit of jam that the kids picked mixed in, apple slices with nut butters etc. The Montessori school near me now though does the standard goldfish and graham cracker rotation though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673167 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:10:16 +0000 Alivoo01 1673167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are the classroom sizes like? Are you happy with that? I know there's a law for minimum teacher-to-student ratio, but when we toured some facilities, some of the classroom sizes were like 20 kids. During our observation tour, it felt overwhelming and the teachers didn't have a good grasp on all the kids even though they were compliant with the ratio requirement.</p> <p>The age gap in the Montessori doesn't bother me since DS is 10 months old but hangs out with all the older/toddler kids. They all love him and are very observant that he's the baby.</p> <p>I do like the daycare has an indoor gym for inclement weather! Awesome way for the kids to exert energy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673166 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:10:11 +0000 Greentea 1673166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Being able to walk to Montessori is my choice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673153 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:06:57 +0000 MsLipGloss 1673153@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The lack of security at the montessori gets a big huge thumbs down from me. ETA: The age range also gets a big thumbs down from me too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673150 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:06:39 +0000 snowjewelz 1673150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From what you are saying I would choose the regular daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673149 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:06:33 +0000 photojane 1673149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The price, nicer building, better security, and providing all of the food would definitely lead me to pick the daycare! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673146 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:05:44 +0000 Smurfette 1673146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Regular! Gym is a major bonus. Montessori doesn't interest me, so that is part of my vote. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673140 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:04:11 +0000 prettylizy 1673140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love that the daycare has a gym! So nice for the kids to get to play regardless of weather </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/which-one-would-you-choose#post-1673116 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:00:45 +0000 MamaChin 1673116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 19 months and we are looking at part time daycare. I am having a hard time between the two finalists, hoping you mamas of daycare babies can share some wisdom!</p> <p>Montessori Daycare - small, building sort of dingy (it's basically an extension of a church) with outdoor playground packed closely with toys. Provide snacks and drinks, bring own lunch. 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk through local streets. Security seems a bit lax (parents has security code to unmanned door) but it's in a quiet suburban residential area. I am intrigued on the Montessori aspect but am worried about the wide age range in his class (19 months - 2.9 years) as he has rarely been in a group setting with kids. </p> <p>Regular Daycare - housed in an empty elementary school so the classrooms, bathrooms and multiple playgrounds are big. Indoor gym too for bad weather days. Bit of a factory feel, although the owners' kids will be in the same class as LO so maybe special attention/best teacher? They provide lunch, snacks and drinks. 15-20 min drive on busy roadway but the school itself is on a quiet street. Have to be buzzed in by staff. </p> <p>The teachers all seem nice and curriculums sound good, the kids there seemed happy too. The price is pretty similar, Montessori just a smidge more. Am I missing any vital information? Which would you pick or not pick? TIA! </p>