Montessori nurseries - are they as good as they sound and how much are they, roughly?

[bohemianbint]

I really like the sound of them and think DS would really benefit, but money a huge factor. Are they significantly better than regular nurseries? I don't think there's many locally unfortunately either, but am just generally interested in case circumstances change.

I think it's the same as anything else, take it as you find it. I have been extremely happy with ours.

one of my first posts of mn was similar to this thread as i discovered mn while trying to find out more about montessori nurseries.
bundle was there, very anti-montessori then and still is.
it's the only real criticism i've heard tbh.
i'm a fan, but admit my experience is only of the one DS goes to and not the one Bundle looked at or any others which might be crap.

ours is a nursery-school. if that makes sense. he goes to this instead of pre-school.

Okay well I guess it's not the place to start an anti Montessori rant, but please do look into them further before you commit.

I'm not anti-anything

if you look, I merely pointed out that there is good/bad in all areas/philosophies

professional titles eg doctor, lawyer, teacher are there for a reason, so you know who you're dealing with. qualified nursery workers have different skills to that of a teacher, I've worked with good/bad ones too!

I think a nursery you really like, which is close to where you live is like gold dust, regardless of its title!

it just happens that the Montessori one we looked at was unsuitable for dd1 and yes, quite frankly, unwelcoming. but that doesn't colour my judgment of all Montessori nurseries.

"bundle was there, very anti-montessori then and still is.
it's the only real criticism i've heard tbh."

dragonbutter my stance is the same because it happened - and it's definitely not the only criticism of Montessori I've ever heard. and as I said, it's not a criticism of Montessori, but rather that particular nursery

There's plenty to criticise anyway.

DD's state run preschool is amazing, very much one one one with a 1-3 ratio, lots of outdoor play and trips, child led activities but structured to each child. She goes to this, then is collected by her childminder and it is so cheap.

I think you need to seriously research Motessori before commiting.

don't know enough about the whole philosophy of Mont to criticise, my experience is helping on management cttee of community nursery, recruiting workers, supervising manager and troubleshooting (all for free )

dd is at a montessori nursery school, and enjoys it, but sometimes she says its boring.

they have communal activities like singing, as well as plenty of free play, eg in the garden.

the staff told me soon after dd joined, that she was apparently making very fast progress through the program of tasks, and this may be the source of her boredom, I am not sure.

It doesn't seem to encourage free thought and creativity, but places a lot of emphasis on problem-solving, is my impression. But it is just one kindergarten.

in germany, your chidlren can do montessori up to 16 years old if you want. It can give children a valuable opportunity to progress through the school curriculum at their own pace.

Do they have any fun at Montessori?

DS does.
why wouldn't they? that's the point, it's all play based.

Message withdrawn

£56 per day where I live in Surrey.