Tell me about the Montessori System - Clapham Montessori anyone?

[Page62]

Can someone tell me their experience of that system - which children would it suit, which wouldn't it suit?
We visited above school last night and could see pluses and minuses -- the minuses mostly we believe because of what could be misguided perception.....(i.e. it didn't look like a "normal" nursery with big pastel colours everywhere etc etc)

[Pruners]

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[Twelvelegs]

I love montessori, It nourishes the child and teaches independence.... child lead learning, eg if they're looking at numbers the child may choose to draw a number, thread a necklace, count animals etc.

[NotMeToday]

I do know that nursery and it comes across as quite strict. I do know parents who have children that are happy there, but I have known one or two to be less happy there and take their children out.

Something Pruners said is something I have heard before - it can work well on 'tricky' children who could do with a more rigid (disciplined) system. Just an opinion, and not every child there would fall into that bracket.

I've lived in the area for a long time and never heard anyone say bad things about Pixies, or The Willow if you are interested in looking at other local nurseries. Although at Pixies there have been some staff changes this year I think.

( 'scuse the namechange)

[Pruners]

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[Pruners]

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[NotMeToday]

You are bang on pruners - it isn't meant to be rigid, in that children are meant to be 'free' to develop at the pace they choose. I guess I was referring to this particular school which I do know well.

[NotMeToday]

but this is one opinion of one school, and I know parents with happy children there, but likewise some who were not.

[Pruners]

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[peasoup]

Bumping this thread for more opinions of this nursery! Hi page62!

[peasoup]

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[peasoup]

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[Page62]

Hi Peasoup!
We're checking out a couple more nurseries and then see from there....i think i would have benefited more from seeing it when the kids are there -- hard to get a feel for it the way we saw it to be honest......

[LilRedWG]

Definitely visit nurseries when the children are there. You can tell from watching the children how the nursery is run.

I would also only consider a nursery that let me ring up and say, "I'd like to look around today. Is 20 minutes okay?". Unless they have a very genuine reason for you not going in then and there, I'd be wary.

[LilRedWG]

Meant to say DD starts at a Montessori nursery on Friday and I really think that she will flourish. She is a fairly content and confident child who really does well when she knows what is expected of her.

[BagelBird]

Montessori can be wonderful. My nephew goes to one and has a fantastic time - sensible balance between big focus on manners, adopting good behaviour and kindness to others while being "free" and enjoying child-led activities. Naturally, will suit some more than others but for those it does suit, it can be like a launch-pad for learning and development.

[peasoup]

Hi Page62!
I actually just went this morning to sit in at the nursery to see what it was like when the kids were there; and my husband sat in too. I agree it was very hard to tell what it was like without seeing it with kids in. If you can get down there to visit during the school day then do. I'm still unsure though; it is so different from all the other nurseries we visited. I'm still trying to decide. Any other oppinions of that particular nursery very welcome.

[yaz2]

I don't know about this particular nursery but my ds went to a Montessori for nearly 18 month and loved it. it gave him the option of doing the "work" he chose to do at that particular time he could work alone, or with a friend or a teacher.They are also taught from day 1 to respect their teaching materials as well as thie peers and teachers and must put the items back in the correct place before starting something new. they also did activities like circle time etc where they all joined in as a group. hth

[Page62]

Hi Peasoup,
Did you get a better feel then? Did the kids look like they were having fun or did it seem kind of regimented? Jack will be 2 1/2 in Sept and he will only be there till 3 1/2 as he will then be moving to Newton Prep where his older sister is.....so the Nursery i had in mind really was a "put on your smock do lots of painting, run around the garden play hopscotch, and do lots of singing" kind of nursery.....and i didn't get the feeling this was it......

[wilbur]

Don't know Clapham Montessori, but Ds2 is currently at Nightingale Montessori nearby and we love it. It's v good for him as he is a bit shy and has a speech delay and they are great at encouraging the things he is good at and letting him catch up at his own pace with the others. Dd also went there and thrived. V calm and unhectic, kids can race around and scream in the huge garden, but inside it's always a real oasis.

[Pinkjenny]

My dd is at a Montessori nursery, and she loves it. The staff are wonderful, so patient and caring, and always seem to adore the children.

They ensure that the dcs do lots of activities, and they spend a lot of time outside.

I couldn't be happier with it.

[NotMeToday]

Page62 - It really is pretty much the opposite of: "put on your smock do lots of painting, run around the garden play hopscotch, and do lots of singing"

I really wouldn't if that is the kind of nursery you are after. And that is the kind of nursery we were after too.

[peasoup]

Hi Page62, yeah i'm having trouble deciding. I went to have a look and it was not at all running around playing hopscotch! Though they do go out at lunchtime for a runaround. They are sitting at little tables doing their "work". It was rather quiet and I'm really not sure now. I like the Montessori idea in principal; just not sure this nursery has got it right. Any other good Montessoris in Clapham?

[NotMeToday]

peasoup, your impression is exactly right.