Montessori nurseries - experience and opinions please

[hunkermunker]

Might send DS1 to a Montessori nursery for a bit soonish. Might not. Toying with it. Tell me about them. If you like

[NASWM]

My DS1 is at a Montessori nursery. He goes every afternoon. I am VERY happy with it. I have had experiece of two other nurseries (one full time day care) and the other a pre-school learning alliance nursery but I think that Montessori is better (for him at the moment, at least). They 'teach' manners, respect, lifeskills how to get along with each other. All whilst letting them be inidependent and learn at their own pace. Go along and sit in for a session. They have an open door policy (mine does at least). I think you will like it.

[robin3]

I looked in to our local one and went to visit. Overall it was great but my only negative observation was the compulsory play on your own time which may not be typical of each nursery. The children looked at DS (then a tiny tot) as if he was an alien who had no place to intrude.

For me nursery is about socialising children and home is his time to play on his own or with a adult one-to-one. I feel this especially important for boys who tend to struggle more with the social stuff.

Obviously I don't know what the result would have been had I chosen that nurseru, so mine is an unqualified view I'm afraid.

[hunkermunker]

Thank you - both v helpful. Will definitely go and have a look before I send him there.

[singersgirl]

DS2 went to both a Montessori and a 'traditional' nursery - the Montessori from age 2.5 to 3 for 2 mornings a week. We moved house, which is why he changed schools.

We were very impressed with the Montessori in terms of self-discipline and self-reliance, and it had a calm, purposeful atmosphere where all the children seemed to know what they were doing. On the other hand, they didn't seem to be having much fun. I'm not saying they were unhappy, they were more kind of muted. Perhaps I only thought that because they weren't running around shrieking but were diligently whisking their soapy water on their little mats.

The traditional pre-school was full of fun, and much less calm. DS2 certainly enjoyed himself at both schools, but it's hard to compare because he was older by the time he went to the traditional pre-school.

[hunkermunker]

That's interesting, SG - DS1 is quite quiet around other children (but chatty as anything with adults), so perhaps he'd like quiet other children iyswim!

[juliab]

think it also REALLY depends on the nursery, hunkermunker.
some are real straight-down-the-line montessori (must do your pouring and threading and sandtracing properly and religiously)
others call themselves montessori but aren't so serious - they just subscribe to the general idea
hope that makes sense!

[hunkermunker]

Definitely think that doing things properly wuold appeal to DS1! Yes, had heard that about Montessori before - some just call themselves that so that they can charge more, I think!

[juliab]

Here's to you finding the perfect place!

[hunkermunker]

Thank you! Not sure he'll go just yet, but want to have the option for when he does iyswim!

[singersgirl]

Yes, the order and method suited DS2 and I think he would have done really well if he'd gone on to the full programme. They were quite a full-on Montessori with a bit of circle time and playtime.

It's great at teaching them things like eating with a knife and fork, and pouring from a glass jug into a proper cup. The reports were a hoot, though. Picture of DS2 whisking with caption: "I can whisk!". Picture of DS2 sticking with caption: "I can stick". You get the idea

[hunkermunker]

ROFL at the reports - cute!

DS1 loves pouring already - he does much in the bath with a small jug we have. Will ring them up and see about going to see the nursery.

[Mirage]

HM I am about to send dd1 to a Montessori nursery.There is a thread on here about it somewhere.We were very impressed when we went in to see how it was run.