Preschool or Montessori...any Other Types

I suggest you read more about Montessori method and philosophy before you start looking for schools. It may not be the perfect match for your daughter! Start visiting schools to observe classes! Montessori are not always more expensive than normal preschools.
Here's a website that can help you find out more about their philosophy:
http://www.montessori-intl.org/philosophy.html
You can find Montessori schools that are fully accredited by the American Montessori Society through their website: http://www.amshq.org/
Our daughter will start preschool next year when she turns 3, we visited few schools already, and made our decision just last week! Good luck!

I have worked in programs using the method and I had to quit both times. The children were wild heathens and would have swung from the chandleirs if there had been any.

For example, if they don't want to stay in circle time they just go start palying with toys, and of course all the kids want to play toys all the time so you have lost control of the situation. It is much easier if you can say, let's stay in circle time for a few more minutes then we'll have play time.

One Mont. center I visited didn't have anywhere for the kids to sit for lunch, I asked where they had their meals and the teacher said "Oh, they fix it themselves when they get hungry then sit over there on the little bench"...they were 3? What 3 year old can fix a full meal that is nutritionally well balanced. I agree that participating in the process is good for kids but there was no accountablilty on the teachers part for making such the child even eats all day? Children feel more secure with boundaries. With schedules, knowing what comes next. Having fun and being spontanious is wonderful, but just being wild and having NO boundaries is not good. Having 15-3 year olds doing different things like eating lunch, doing crafts, painting, running around bouncing balls, etc...all at the same time sounds like no one is getting any attention.

And also, Kindergarten is very different than any Mont. program and she won't be prepared for a real school environment. If it's just for play then take her and let her have fun.

My kids are in full-time daycare, but I will say, from my experience with other families who have their kids in preschool part-time, the instruction is a little more consistent that 3 hours of preschool.

I'm not suggesting you put them in full-time day care, but I did want to throw it out there are a part-time option. There are several kids who are there 2-3 days/week or 1/2 days to get accustomed to the socialization/structured learning environment.

At 3.5, our son knows all his letters, writes his name, is spelling simple words, knows sign language, counts to 100 in 10's. Our daughter just turned 2 and is counting, knows all her colors and shapes (our pediatrician said that was about 6 months ahead developmentally at her appointment last week), learning letters, etc.

I know churches have very nurturing preschool programs, but I don't know if they have a set curriculum they teach.

I've never felt my children are forced to learn, but the school, as a state licensed facility, does have a monthly curriculum (this week, our son's class is learning about rain forests) that all classes follow and adjust to the age of the children. We do our best to reinforce the learning at home, and both kids seem to be sponges, so it's never forced.

Best wishes!

We enrolled our daughter into a Montessori school for her preschool year in part because I returned to full-time work and it had an extended day program. We are pleased with the program overall. My daughter is a very independent sort, so she handles the program well and she is thriving. The downside of encouraging independence at her age, however, is that she wants to be "in charge of herself" (one of the tenets of the school) and, at home, she wants to challenge our authority at times. Our school is well-established (more than 20 years old) and well-run. Most Montessori schools encourage parents to come and observe. I highly recommend it. While I like our school, our daughter will transfer to a Catholic school next fall where her brother is enrolled for the remainder of their grade school years. The teaching method there will, we think, better prepare them for high school and college. (Oh, and yes, Montessori for us was VERY pricey.)

Our 2 & 4 year old attend Schoolhouse Montessori in Canton. They are extending their program from 18 months-3rd grade to infant-5th grade. I CANNOT say enough great things about the environment our children are in. Not to mention the education they are getting. We are impressed by the subjects and teaching methods our children are exposed to. I'd be happy to share more about this school if you are interested.

And yes, it is a little more than other child care centers, but we found we are certainly getting what we are paying for.

PS, we have had our children in In Home Daycares, ChildTIme & The Goddard School, so we have tried different environments, & this is the happiest we have been!!

Good Luck!!

I don't know about price, as the Montessori program my children are in is free at their charter school, but I can tell you that we love the Montessori program. It's especially beneficial for my son, who is delayed in certain developmental areas. I would say if you have the means to have your child enrolled in a Montessori program, it's well worth it!

Also, the Montessori name is not trademarked; any school can put "Montessori" in front of their name. As suggested, if you want real information, check for Montessori accredited programs.

I agree that you should research the Montessori philosophy before you observe a Montessori PreK. It is very different than a typical PreK classroom. Also, there are Montessori schools that have Prek-elementary. I love the way a Montessori classroom is run. I taught Montessori and now I run a daycare/preK program in our home.

www.lilstarsmontessori.com

I agree, Montessori is not for all kids, and all Montessori schools are not alike. Tour one in your area and see if it's a fit for your daughter. Preschool is really just to get the children used to the idea of schooling and should be focused on making learning fun so they carry that with them throughout their education. I wouldn't focus on what she's learning, but how. Find a way to instill a love of learning and make it fun. If she is happy where she is, it's probably a great place. Good luck.

There's always a co-op. This way you would be involved more in her education. They aren't as intense as a Montessori either.

Another way to go would be your good ole public school system!

Good luck!

S.