Tell me about Montessori???

[heliana]

Hi setof3.
sorry, don't have experience with either, but, I just wanted to say, don't worry so much about what they are, go and spend some time at both and go with your gut feeling.
Ask lots of questions about what they would do in this situation, what their routine is, and look at other things too, like what food they offer etc.
I have heard many good things about Montessori but also some people who didnt like it. I think it depends more on the centre than the policies iykwim?
I'm fighting my daughter off the computer at the moment because she wants to watch the piggy running accross the screen (medibank add) so good luck with finding a good place.

[Rommy'sMummy]

My son goes to a Montessori childrens center. We love it. I love the individual approach to children and the opportunity for self expression and self directed learning. I also love the adherence to routine and social graces and manners that Monti teaches.

They have programs from playgroup to pre-school and are totally Montessori. What I mean by that is that ALL the staff are fully trained Montessori teachers - Degree or Diploma level. They have a couple of "assistants" who are training but not qualified and so they help in the class but are not allowed to teach or direct the children.

There are quite a few "Montessori childcare centres" opening up around here which look like they are trying to pretend to be Montessori while basically being a childcare centre with some wooden toys!

I would ask about the qualifications of the teachers/carers and how they apply the philosophy of Maria Montessori. They should be able to demonstrate the application of her philosophy and how it rates to each stage of a childs development. Other wise it might just be a childcare centre charging more as the Montessori name is on the title. Not that childcare centres are wrong but if you are paying for Montessori you want to be getting it.

Our centre charges $64 for 9.00-3.30 pre-school and transition classes (that is where the parent is not there) and $16 for playgroup and infant group which is 9.30-11.00.

I hope you find somewhere you feel comfortable with - somewhere you can ask the staff for advice or assistance with parenting, that is something I really value about our centre.

Good luck!