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2s program. My son is a December birthday and honestly, I don't see the rush to start him earlier. I would rather him be older than younger, largely because I don't think kids are emotionally ready to handle the rigors of programs until they're on the older side of things.

The age range of the first preschool setting is rather varied. However, I'm of the belief that children can learn some wonderful behavior through peer modeling. Being able to observe and practice skills and behaviors exhibited by the older kiddos might be good for Olive's development.

That being said, I don't think you can go wrong with the 2's program, and agree that a suitable nap is an important factor!

The 2s program. The lack of naps at the Montessori program would be a problem for me.

2's. I wouldn't want my LO to the youngest. It sounds like she really needs the nap still too.

The 2's program!

I'd do the 2s program also.

@Mrs. Bee: that's terrible that they would limit her like that?? Seems like a strange policy to me. Although she may adjust to shorter naps like 1.5 hr over time if she is really engaged at school and maybe have an earlier bed time? I can't imagine why they wouldn't let them at least have 1.5 hr

I'd send her to the 2's so it can help her get ready for September.

I would go for the 2s program!

I ended up getting held back in 3rd grade so I could go to a Waldorf charter, and I did much better socially and academically because of it. I was a preemie, and behind my technical peers socially so I was on par with the slightly younger kids!

If it's only a year, I'd choose the 2's program for sure. Being one of the bigger kids might help her before going into public pre-k. Coupled with the nap situation, it would seal the deal for me.

I would start this year in the 2s program, and move her to the Montessori program next year.

Without a doubt the 2s program.

@mrbee: that's what I thought. So I was wondering if the nap thing may not be as much of an issue at this point next year. I can't speak for what I'd do with my LO, but I was easily bored in school and needed the older kids to keep me in line!

I think I'd worry about her napping and getting lost in the shuffle with the older kids so I'd send her to the 2's program.

Hands down Montessori. She will live without the nap, but if she really needs it, she may take it anyway. I honestly think you and she will love it!!!

The mentorship they get from the older kids is sooo amazing. They learn so much from it. The older kids have taught so much language to M in one month. It's been so fun!

@Mrs. Bee: M. is also a sleeper. Her transition was rough. We had about 2 weeks where she didn't nap, so we put her down for a half hour (we had to wake her after a half hour because she would have slept for 2 hours!) when she got home from school at 3:45, then put her to bed at 6:30 pm and she'd sleep til 7 am. Now she's adjusted and she takes an hour nap every day at school, even though many of the other kids don't, and it's enough to get her through until 6:45 pm.

Being in the mixed age classroom is going to give her so much confidence transitioning to pre-K!

Bumping this thread. It feels like forever away, but I am considering switching LO from her current church-based Mom's Day Out/preschool to Montessori when she is 2 years 10 months, so not this coming fall, but the fall of 2016.

I love our school for a bunch of reasons, but I am starting to see LO's personality peek out and I think she would really thrive in a Montessori school, again, for a bunch of reasons. I'm sure over the next year, things will make themselves more clear and the decision will be easier, but I think we need to get on a waitlist now.

What gives me the most pause is that she has an October birthday like Olive, so assuming a school even lets us into a primary program at just under 3, I am wondering if she will be ready? At 15 months she's hitting her milestones on time and of course I think she is very bright And again, we'll know better this time next year. Just wondering if this is something we should even consider.

I guess we could always use our current school for her 3 year old year, and put her in Montessori when she's 4, but I like the idea of starting her when she's younger so the Montessori method is not as much of an adjustment and she can go through the full primary program.

@Mrs. Jacks: @Mrs. Bee: Weigh in please?