Goddard Herndon vs Montessori

When I was looking at preschools and at daycare centers, I had to go with my gut. I remember asking people what sorts of questions I needed to ask and what I should be looking at. After touring a few places, I realized that the owner/director always answered my questions without me even asking. I suppose since they are used to giving tours, they already know the top 10 or 15 questions on each parents mind.

So after seeing a few places, I had to go home and just reflect. I don't know that I could necessarily pinpoint exactly why I felt better about one place or another, but there was that one place that stood out and/or gave me that feeling that this was the right place for my child.

When my oldest went to preschool, I chose a play-based preschool. I met the teachers, and watched how they interacted with the kids. They were very friendly and really knew how to speak to their level.

When I was looking for daycares for my youngest, it was down to 2 daycares Both were very friendly and had bright, inviting rooms. The one we chose was in our school district and had an afterschool program, so our older son could ride the bus there after school.

Your needs might be very different than mine. I hope you get some helpful tips, but in the end, you have to go with your gut.

When we lived in Sterling our son went to Montessori Children's House of Learning from 2002 to 2005.
We loved everything about it!

http://www.mchl.org/

I have a lot of years in child care and am one that likes structure. I think kids respond well to it and it helps them be ready for go in, sit down, be quiet, in a classroom setting in elementary school.

The pre-K and up kids that I've worked with in a Montessori style setting have very nearly been hanging from the rafters before they set off to school because they get out every toy and run amok.

Now, they do learn a LOT. Some teachers are much better at managing chaos than I am. SO be sure to observe the teacher he'll have.

If he's even a little bit wired to be ADHD then you need to make sure how the kids are acting in their classroom too. If they're going off and running amok then your little one will feed off that energy. If they are playing and having fun but it's not crazy time then your little one won't have any problems feeling good in that setting.

Hi N.,

Welcome to Mamapedia!

I think you would do much better if you edited your question's title to indicate that it's the Ashburn area, and click the option to keep it local. Your question has gone out to Mamapedia members nationally, and I can't see that most people will be able to help you.

You might also edit your question saying what you like/don't like, want/don't want to give people something to go on. (Please don't delete it! That's a pet peeve on Mamapedia! Just add to the bottom. You might write "ETA" for "Edited To Add" and then put additional info.)

Good luck!

The drive from Ashburn to Herndon is NOT a fun one. Especially if you are taking Route 28 in the morning! :) Or are you taking Route 7? Either way - morning traffic going that direction is a bear....but if you love the school? Why change? It's not like it's 45 miles away, depending upon where you live in Ashburn - it's about 10 miles and if you love the school and your child is flourishing there? I'd make the drive.

My kids did a pre-school and not Montessori. I would ask each school for a test day or two and take your child to their "free" days and see how he/she reacts/responds to each school.

WHICH Montessori schools are you considering? That makes a difference.