Considering Montessori « Hellobee Boards

Considering Montessori

By ElbieKay Oct 11, 2015

I want to put my 19mo into a daycare or preschool program for two mornings per week. (There are specific logistical reasons why that needs to be the schedule.) I could also find a sitter, but I think he is old enough that it would be good for him to spend more time around other children.

I think I may be able to get him a slot at our local Montessori school, but it is pretty expensive. I am going to tour the school this week, but in the meantime I want to learn more about Montessori.

If you send your child to a Montessori program, or if you considered it but decided on another alternative, could you please comment on your experience with it?

Thanks!

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22 comments

blackbird
wonderful grape / 20453 posts

Oct 11, 2015

I priced one out and it was $1700 a month compared to $960 full time. I couldn't justify the cost (plus we have a 5 month old!) and E will go to a Kindercare. It looked amazing, though. Garden, backed up to a park, a pool, etc
ElbieKay
pomegranate / 3231 posts

Oct 11, 2015

This would increase our current childcare costs by about 15%, but we pay for 40 hours/week and this would only replace 8 of them.
travellingbee
hostess / papaya / 10219 posts

Oct 11, 2015

Same here. I love the concept of Montessori but we couldn't afford it. Id go for it if you can!
Mrs. Lion
blogger / grapefruit / 4836 posts

Oct 11, 2015

We do montessori at home but cannot afford a montessori preschool. the schools are beautiful, but I don't personally think the cost is worth the sacrifices we would have to make to pay for it.
BandDmommy
pomelo / 5660 posts

Oct 11, 2015

We looked at Montessori but choose Reggio Emilia inspired. We love it! It costs more than normal preschool but worth it!
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Oct 11, 2015

As a teacher I love the concept of Montessori, but unfortunately public school does not support that realm of thinking, so my question would be if I were to have LO go Public K-12 I might skip it?!?
Rockies11
persimmon / 1363 posts

Oct 11, 2015

I love montessori and we have many montessori concepts at home so I wanted my LO to go to a montessori school. I found one that cost the same as our other proposed childcare, but after spending a lot of time with her on mat leave I decided against it because it's not a fit for her personality in a childcare setting. She is very shy and really likes a lot of help and interaction with adults, which is pretty much the opposite of montessori. We are putting her in a small family dayhome instead, which is something I never thought I would consider even 6 months ago. Another good lesson for me in this parenting journey!
Tidybee
nectarine / 2834 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@FaithFertility: I agree. A lot of kids around here go to Montessori for preschool and the public school system beginning in kindergarten and I've heard through the grapevine that some have a rough time transitioning to a more structured environment.
BandDmommy
pomelo / 5660 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@FaithFertility: I went to Montessori through 3rd grade and moved to public schools with no issue. But that's my personal experience.
BandDmommy
pomelo / 5660 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@Tidybee: I think it depends on child. My neighbors son went to Montessori through 2nd and he's doing great in public school. I had no issues adjusting either.
Anya
nectarine / 2784 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@FaithFertility: @BandDmommy: I also went to Montessori but started public school after kindergarten and it was not an issue. Some children used to watch did the same and they are doing just fine at the public school.
Anya
nectarine / 2784 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@ElbieKay: I think you will know what to do once you tour the school! If it clicks with you and seems worthwhile for the extra cost or if a less costly alternative will be suitable.
catlady
grapefruit / 4988 posts

Oct 11, 2015

Our daycare is Montessori. We seem to be in a different spot than others because it cost the same or less than other nice daycares in our area (but basically any daycare in our area is $$$). LO just turned 2 and has been going since she was 3 months old. Here are some of things I like about it so far: lots of "practical" skills emphasized (serving themselves food, cleaning up, washing hands), older kids learn to help younger kids, they can choose one of several activities in the classroom (or grab a book or toy on their own), everything is toddler accessible, lots of respect for the kids, never have to worry about screentime or flashy electronic toys in the classroom.

She will be continuing onto preschool next year, although I'm not sure yet if I will keep her there all the way until public school K. I may move her to another more academic preschool for the last year, although we will see.
daniellemybelle
cantaloupe / 6669 posts

Oct 11, 2015

We are starting to look at Montessori schools as well as other options for next fall when LO is 2 years 10 months (give or take depending on when she starts).

A big reason we are looking at Montessori is that as far as the research goes, it's really the only type of preschool that studies have shown to really have an impact on kids academically when you control for socioeconomic status. (Any kind of preschool has a lot more impact with disadvantaged kids.)

We haven't toured any yet, so we will see how we feel it stacks up to our other options. It is definitely on the expensive side but we are also only going to look at schools that offer part-time so it's not the same as paying for full time daycare.

As far as my experience with it, DH went to Montessori preschool and has fond memories and his parents really believe it set him up well for school. He's smart and has made a good life for himself so that's good anecdotal evidence I do know others who have used it and it's very love or hate. So, we will have to see if it is a good fit for us.
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@Anya: @BandDmommy: Ohh I agree and think all situations/children are different, now with common core it is two completely different mind sets..... that is the thing that would concern me a little

I agree with the Montessori way .....
It is a discovery of learning which IMO is the best way at that age!!
BandDmommy
pomelo / 5660 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@FaithFertility: It actually be more helpful since it teaches you to think outside of the box. I think the most important thing about Montessori is it teaches the love of learning and exploration.
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Oct 11, 2015

@BandDmommy: I agree in that aspect , I guess i am spekaing from my experience and in my district... When these states/districts assess with benchmarks and such... they are very one sided and take that creativity out the window wanting the student to show their understanding one specific way, which is awful!
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Oct 12, 2015

I love Montessori, there are a ton of resources out there to familiarize yourself with it. I would do a little bit of research before you go on a tour, so you're aware of what you are seeing.

http://www.montessoritraining.net/
Freckles
honeydew / 7444 posts

Oct 12, 2015

Switching to a Montessori preschool from a regular daycare centre increased our cost by a little over 45%. But I think it's worth it if you can afford it. I know some friends who sent their kids and one said that because their twins were so ahead of their classmates (in ps after Montessori), they ended up bored and probably lost any advantage Montessori gave them.

DD is 3.5 and has only been in Montessori for 1.5 months, and I am really happy with what I have seen so far. The environment is very calm and orderly and she loves telling me about her "work". Her fine motor skills have improved so much that now she loves to colour and draw (things she hated doing before). Right now they are working on alphabet writing/tracing. They learn French 2x a week and also have music classes. It's such a great program and I'm glad she likes it.

I will keep her there for the full 3 years and she will go into a French immersion public shool in grade 1.
QueensBee
pear / 1718 posts

Oct 12, 2015

My son has been in a Montessori daycare/school for a year now and we are big fans (he's 2.5). He's definitely very verbal and I think his math, literacy, and motor skills are growing in leaps and bounds while there. However, my main reason for loving it is the atmosphere. It feels calm and peaceful and respectful. Although he can still act like a terror with me at home, he has developed really lovely manners and social skills there. He can navigate conflicts with his friends on playdates peacefully and independently. A big part of Montessori education is developing "grace and courtesy" and I think they are doing a really wonderful job with that.
littlejoy
pomegranate / 3375 posts

Oct 12, 2015

Our LO goes to a Montessori/RIE school, and we love it!

For me, I love that they encourage a daily schedule. I don't think children do well without some structure. I appreciate the focus on "simplicity" with toys, food, activities.

We will likely continue on this path until Kindergarten, then enroll in public school.
ElbieKay
pomegranate / 3231 posts

Oct 15, 2015

Update: We went to visit today. The 3-5 yo room was AMAZING! Terrific energy, lots of kids all engaged on their projects and seeming to get along too.

But the toddler room, which is for ages 18-24 mo, was a little uninspiring. The ratio is 4:1, which is fine. The teachers seemed a little bland, and it's such a tight age range. I think I'd prefer to have my son more exposed to older kids. And there wasn't anything especially Montessori-like about it aside from the wooden toys and the fact that the teachers referred to everything as "work". There wasn't anything wrong with it per se, but it didn't click with me either. And it was the only classroom in the school without a window, which really bothered me.

We peeked into the room for the 24-36 mo, but didn't actually spend any time there. It looked perkier than the toddler room though, and there were windows.

The option is not off the table, but I am going to look into other care providers too before finalizing my decision.

Our town has free public preschool starting at age 3. (Well, my son would start at 3.5 due to his birthday.) I don't think we will want to pay for private Montessori at that point. So there is not much benefit for us to the amazing 3-5yo room.

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