Moving DD out of a Montessori

[jeremypaxo]

DD is nearly 2 and has been attending a wonderful Montessori nursery for the last year. She is very happy and settled. She is also very independent - likes getting herself dressed, feeding herself etc and is very good at putting her toys away (all of which I attribute to the Montessori approach rather than my parenting!) She can get quite frustrated if you try and do things to/for her, although that's possibly just because we're entering terrible twos.

We are moving house in the new year to another part of the country. We have chosen a nursery which looks lovely, it is Ofsted outstanding and has lots of space for the kids to play. I just wondered if anyone has any experience of the adjustment from Montessori to a more traditional nursery? Is there basically no difference at the tender age of 2?

I'm aware this is a very middle class question especially at a time of national crisis, but if you can't ask the childcare forum on Mumsnet where can you ask, eh.

My DN moved from a Montessori nursery to a preschool type of nursery and got on perfectly well at the new setting. She has grown up into a wonderful adult!

Regarding this: She is also very independent - likes getting herself dressed, feeding herself etc and is very good at putting her toys away (all of which I attribute to the Montessori approach

My DD was the same at 2 without going to a Montessori nursery. Any nursery must encourage independence to meet EYFS targets for the age range and because the children need to be able to do some things for themselves for the nursery to be able to do any activities whatsoever. At DD's nursery (she's now 3) they are encouraged to do any task for themselves where it is safe to do so. They even make their own sandwiches for tea some days. They not only tidy toys but help the staff do other jobs as well. A couple of weeks ago they were all put to work cleaning the outdoor toys that were caked with mud!

FWIW, when I was looking into nurseries for DD, our local Montessori didn't fair any better or worse than the other settings either in terms of Ofsted or in terms of reviews.

For me, number one priority with a nursery (after keeping children safe of course) is that they spend a decent amount of time outdoors which is crucial for physical development as well as educational development.

Thank you @INeedNewShoes that is hugely reassuring. Your DD's nursery sounds ace! I guess it is in everyone's interests for small children to be able to do things for themselves, and from what you say it sounds like that independent spirit may just be innate in toddlers!

DD's current nursery (i.e. the Montessori) actually doesn't have much outside space so they take the kids to the park every day - we are in central London. The new one has a massive garden with a playground so I think that is a big draw. It's also on the same street that we are moving to so she can walk to/from nursery rather than having to go in the buggy for 15 minutes as we currently do!

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.