Is this Montessori typical

[nellieellie]

My 2yr old DS goes to a Montessori - just 2 mornings a week. He is shy with other children and he's taking a while to truly settle there. I've never really got a handle on why Montessoris are different from any other nursery but after today am wondering if a bit regimented. When picking him up today one of the nursery staff informed me that she'd had to "have a word with him about the nursery rules". Crikey, I thought, whatever has he done? Apparently my DS had been trying to get out the outside play-area onto the surrounding common which was, I was rather sternly informed, against nursery rules and could I have a word with him as well. The voutside play bit is tiny and the wall is low - the play area is sunken- so once up on the wall they're on the common- no drop. My DS is shy of other kids so I'm not surprised he's trying to escape. Was cross though as isn't this normal for a 2 yr old? And isn't it a bit of an overreaction? I'm quite strict with him over most things but this seems silly and am worried that thisis not the environment I want him to be in if this reaction is typical. Are Montessoris like this? Am I being too sensitive or not being strict enough with him? Any feedback please???!!

In my opinion this has nothing to do with it being a montessori or not. Don't be cross, they are only concerned for the health and safety of all the children including your son. You only need one child to go over the wall and the others may want to follow.

I'm sure there are other nurseries in the area with enclosed play areas, may be worth having a look around at others too, but also be aware of the notice period you may be required to serve.

This has nothing to do with Montessori.

However, no Montessoris are not regimented, the staff should stay in the same place but the children are free to move around and "work" in whichever area that they want to, in the younger years this would be mainly in the sensory and the social adn cultral areas and then gradually leading on to the language and maths areas. There should also be a free play area as well.

Sorry meant to also say, purely health and safety

I used to be a teacher and did some Montessori training. My DD goes to a Montessori Nursery and it does not follow the Montessori Method I learnt. I think with ofsted and all the reporting nurseries are required to do in the UK it is difficult to keep to the true montessori methods. Since she started going there I have had speak up many times including leading a fight against the Leaders aim that the children wear uniforms - they are only 2 -5 years! So not in line with montessor aims at all and I have felt quite disappointed!

It does sounds like they were trying to protect your son, but I would have thought they could have explained this to you and not treated you also like a child by speaking sternly to you.

The other issue I have come across is that so few staff are properly Montessori trained in these school so maybe this staff member is not in tune with the methods/approaches etc...

Hi

My ds also two at a montessori and compared the to nursery he went to before is quite regimented in my opinion. And, like your son, my ds not completely settled.
Seems a bit target driven to me.

there are montessori nurseries and nurseries with montessori in the title ime.

quite besides any teaching ethos, id be a bit concerned about a setting with only a tiny outside space and a wall to the open that a 2yo can easily climb. sounds sketchy to me.

I can understand they would ask you to have a 'chat' with him about not trying to climb the wall but in my opinion you are paying them to look after your child and it is their responsibility to keep him safe. You have no control over what he does when he is there.

Sorry, imo the buck stops with them on this one.

Climbing over a wall is age appropriate behaviour imo and indicates good co-ordination and healthy curiosity (not necesarrily that he is unhappy). If nursery cannot supervise children on the other side then they should not have a wall that a two year old can climb! no brainer

I agree with willmouse and witchandchips. Although it's good that the nursery staff informed you, ultimately what happens at the nursery is their responsibility. Either they provide better supervision or they build the wall higher.