Montessori, State Pre-school or Private Nursery?

[Galaxy]

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Have you visited the Montessori ? ds went to one which was disciplined but still fun and sociable. I think they vary as much as any preschools/playgroups. I visited a couple just to see what setup I preferred.

If the play group are relaxed about the times and you are happy with it then your instinct could be fine. Perhaps although they "open" at 9 the reality is that kids arrive in the next half hour or so as their parents also have other kids to drop off for school. Do they bring the kids together after a period of free play for a circle time or group activity a little later ? Can you visit again with dd to see what her reaction would be.

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Galaxy - I worked briefly at a Montessori nursery and must admit it's not what I would have wanted for my children. It was very rigid and I felt far too strict for my liking. I would not have felt I could have recommended that particular nursery. I feel though that you should consider all your options and your instincts will probably be right. Most nurseries are flexible about dropping off times as they know there are other children to consider etc and I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem to be 10 minutes late! If it is, then that is probably an indicator that the nursery might be a bit too rigid. I'm sure whatever decision you come to will be the right one and if it's not then you can change it.

My dd went to a private nursery when she was small. They were great at caring for small children and structured play but when she got a but older we felt that they weren't offering much educationally (she used to get a day book written up by her carers and it was pratically illiterate). So at 2 1/2 we moved her to a montessori where she is learning much more. It is quite structured but they still have lots of fun, time outside running around every day, lots of painting and art activities etc as well as the more structured learning with montessori materials.
I wouldn't woory about dropping her off 10 minutes late. DDs nursery opens at 8 and we drop her off about 8.15 but lots of the others don't arrive til 9. They can't expect every parent to drop off on the dot every day.

a big hooray for montessori here!!!
xx kiwi

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Again in my humble opinion Galaxy - let them play in a relaxed atmosphere for as long as they can. After all on the continent they don't even start to read and write until the age of 6+.

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IMHE the Montessori was far more relaxed for my ds than any other nursery, skills based rather than regimented, so comes under the play based learning anyway, at least it did 9 yrs ago when ds went, I am fully intending to train as montessori teacher in the near future post young children.

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IME (although DS1 hasn't actually started nursery yet!) you have to go with the place that feels right - i.e. trust your instincts. I visited a few places with DS1 and on my way home from the local state nursey class I was so happy about the atmosphere, teacher etc that I bought him a bag of Milky Way Stars in the corner shop....and I've never done that!
He's due to go there in February - I'll keep you posted!