Thats a bit of a bummer. Yep we have the late penalty too as they have to pay staff if you are late and it costs. I have been in situations where I Have had to call the police after a dad was over half an hour late and had not contacted us though thats the extreme.
Steiner schools are private yes but its a whole philosophy which they are the fmaily to embrace. Its for older children though and realy worth looking for down the road. There are plenty of sites about them and montessori on line in Australia. being in the country the closest one for us in Blue Mountains which is a bit of a bummer really.
Sammie I think a steiner program would really suit you guys just from how you have being doing things with Mj and your outlook on life its an incredibely enriching programm for any child and family really.
Eg a friends son at his steiner programm they grow their own veges and once amonth they research for recipes that use their ingredients.They then harvest and cook and make lunch which is sold . They then have to work out a price and run it themselves and sell the lunch. Using the profits they then decide on how to pay for ingredients and then to buy supplies to re plant their graden. SO maths skills, health and nutrition, co operations,cooking skills, problem solving, environmental issues, etyc etc etc.ALl this form a very early age involving each child at their developmental level.

Anyway sorry again for banging on when our babies are just over 6 months old *L*
Its pouring rain here and did all night and supposed to all day..nice :-) love the smell

prama so glad you found the pnd group helpfull makes such a difference when you are talking to others who are going through it oo. Hope things start looking up take care of you x