Play vs montessori

[TaupeHelper]

Hi everyone, we are really struggling to decide whether to send our 2.5 year old son to a Montessori based school or play based. From about 18 months he ws at a play based centre but we have recently moved and so have to find him a new place, so trying to decide between two great centres (one play, one montessori).
Would love some insight please. He is a problem solving, low maintenance, bit shy, social (loves people) but his teachers also say he often plays in the sandpit by himself or sit and read books on his own. Happy in his own company and very good at entertaining himself. Tia

I shouldn't think it would make much difference at that age. Whichever one has the nicer garden!

I think it’s all about the staff tbh.

Montessori IS play-based. It's a different ethos (self-initiated play rather than adult-led, and a proper Montessori nursery will have specific resources that fit their educational aims, a quiet, orderly environment rather than busy and chaotic) but your son will still spend all day playing.

I'd suggest you visit both and learn more about Montessori before making a decision. I'm generally a fan of Montessori education but, like most things in life, it doesn't suit every personality.

Totally agree with this and the PP why said it’s all about the staff. If you have excellent staff then it should be a good nursery. If they have a high turnover avd many young or inexperienced staff then I’d probably swerve that one.

I went to a Montessori preschool and first couple years of primary. I think Montessori is wonderful. Our nursery we used for both of ours was not Montessori, but the owner was Montessori trained and applied that ethos.

That said, both should be play based and child led, as every good preschool is. What would make more of a difference is facilities and what’s on offer. I’d want mine outside as much as possible in a natural environment with lots of opportunities for exploration. Not in an astroturf lot with lots of plastic toys. Our nursery was on a farm, they were outside every day all weather unless like a lightening storm or a blizzard, mud kitchen, lots of walks out and about on foot paths, forest school. They had communal meals and the big ones served the little ones. No separate rooms.

Everyone played together and supported each other. That sort of environment would be much more important to me than whether officially Montessori or not.

My DD attended a Montessori and a free play crèche when she was younger. She much preferred free play! More child centred.

But more important than any label is the staff, the outdoor space, the general feeling you get from the place tbh. So either - forget the label and go by the feeling.