Choosing a Preschool

The word "Montessori" is not patented; anyone can use the name, and it is never an assurance of quality. There are many daycare centres, nurseries and preschools throughout Edmonton that use the name Montessori and haven't the slightest idea who she was or even have one piece of authentic Montessori equipment.

Fact: There are more than 8000 preschools, daycare centres and nurseries in North America that use or associate their programs with Montessori. Sadly, fewer than 260 employ trained and qualified Montessori teachers.

- American Montessori International (AMI)

In a traditional Montessori Preschool there will be:

• Trained and certified Montessori teachers
• A full range of Montessori materials (didactic aids). If you are unfamiliar with these materials, ask to see the “pink tower,” “red rods,” or “geometric solids.” These are just a few of the manipulatives used in an authentic Montessori Preschool
• Look for happy children, busy on self-chosen, uninterrupted work

Specific School Searches

To locate a Montessori school for your child, you may review the Montessori Connections Website School Directory.

Choosing a school

Decide what you want. Are you looking for a preschool near work, or one closer to home? Do you want the curriculum to include activities such as music, storytelling and gym? Do you want an authentic Montessori preschool or simply an enriched early childhood program? Or do you want a school that combines both (Montessori and ECD)?

Visit and Interview

Ask preliminary questions over the phone. Ask questions of the directress/director, ranging from the program, hours, fees and vacation schedules to philosophies on child-rearing issues such as discipline and creative play. Ask to see a list of the daily activities, monthly themes, and the preschool's policies. Good teachers plan! Ask to see the lesson planning for each day, week, month and school year. Lesson plans should include everything from discussions at circle to the snacks served. Pay attention to your gut feelings and how the directress/director handles these types of questions.

Here is a printable checklist (Adobe Reader required) to use when comparing schools (including Montessori & Me!).

What the school should have:

1. A feel-good quality!

A good preschool should have a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and stimulating curriculum. Ask the school for names and numbers of other parents, and call them, or stop by during pickup time and approach other parents then. Observe the children when you visit: If they don't seem happy to be there, that's probably a signal to look elsewhere.

Bottom line: If you don't hear too many good things about a school, and if it doesn't feel right, look elsewhere.

2. Established ground rules

It is important for a preschool to be flexible, within reason. For instance, letting you pick up and drop off your child at different times. However it should also have clearly established written regulations for everything from operating hours to how to handle emergencies. This way you know the staff take their responsibility — your child — seriously.

Look for a school with a strict sick-child policy. Find out which illnesses mean your child has to stay home, and for how long. A tough policy may inconvenience you if your child is ill, but keeping sick children (and staff) away makes sense. A good preschool helps cut down on illness by requiring all children who are ill to remain at home until they are better.

If a preschool doesn't encourage parents to stop by unannounced, chances are it has something to hide. Keep looking. A great preschool will go beyond merely letting you in; it will invite you to become part of their community. A good preschool encourages parents to participate, spend time with their child in school, volunteer, help with activities, and accompany children on field trips, and so on.

Bottom line: If a preschool is poorly organized, has lax or nonexistent rules, or doesn’t encourage participation, it's not likely to be right for you.

3. A stimulating curriculum

The best Montessori preschools have daily schedules that include plenty of time for physical activity, reading as a group and independently, socializing, crafts, individual activities, healthy snacks and lots of one-on-one teaching. TV, computers and videos should not play a part in your child's day. A well-thought-out curriculum stimulates your child's development and makes daily life more fun.

The curriculum should change over time, providing your child with the chance to try something new, and should be adjusted to match each child's abilities and skill levels. Montessori preschools should have specialized educational philosophies and encourage independence.

Look for a school with a wide range of Montessori equipment (manipulatives and didactic teaching aids). If you are unfamiliar with what these are, search the web for "Montessori supplies". Find a site that sells Montessori supplies to teachers and schools and read about the material.

If you have to bring your child's food, find out about the school's guidelines. Some may require you to pack only nutritious foods; that's okay — preschools that don't restrict candy or other sweets may not have your child's best interests at heart. If the school does have a food plan, find out what it serves at snack times. Does it encourage healthy eating habits and cover all the food groups? If not, keep looking.

Bottom line: If your child won't get a wide range of age-appropriate activities, or the snacks are unhealthy, move on.

4. A qualified, caring staff

A trained, qualified staff is one advantage preschools and daycare centers have over babysitters and day home providers, who often have no specialized education. Preschool teachers should be trained and certified, with CPR and other emergency training.

Watch how the staff interacts with the children. Teachers should be responsible, enthusiastic, and well prepared. Look for a preschool with staff that shares your philosophy about discipline and other childcare issues. Good teachers will ask detailed questions about your child's health and personal requirements to help determine whether their preschool is right for you.

Make sure the preschool has plenty of staff so your child will get the attention and care she/he needs and good staff benefits. Preschools that pay their employees well and offer good wages, vacation time, health insurance, and an education allowance are more likely to have teachers who stick around. Low turnover is key to ensuring consistent, stable care for your child.

Bottom line: If the staff doesn't stick around, seems overwhelmed, or doesn't have enough experience, the school isn't right for you.

5. Clean, safe facilities

A good preschool must be clean and safe to meet licensing requirements. Nevertheless, make sure floors are clean, food preparation areas are far from toilets, trash isn't left sitting, and the building is adequately heated, lit, and ventilated. Make sure the preschool follows the basic rules of safety, too. Toys and play equipment should be in good repair, upstairs windows (if any) should have screens or bars, all medicines and other hazardous substances should be out of reach, and the outdoor play area should be level and secure. Smoke detectors should be in place and working, radiators and heaters should be covered or otherwise protected. A first-aid kit and fire extinguisher should be close at hand. The school should be secure so strangers can't just walk in off the street.

Look for a school with an indoor and outdoor play area. Children should have the chance to play outside or in a gym every day. Running, jumping, and skipping are good for them physically, mentally, and socially.

Bottom line: Spot a safety hazard? Keep looking.

6. A current license

Ask to see the preschool license. Because they are technically classified as daycare centres rather than educational institutions, preschools have to meet the same licensing requirements as other childcare centers.

Bottom line: A license isn't everything

Summing it up

You want a challenging curriculum; and if you're searching specifically for a Montessori program, you want to see a classroom full of authentic Montessori materials. Your child needs a warm, clean, safe environment, with certified Montessori teachers, who are well paid and happy with their jobs. Children need consistency, and that includes consistency of relationships. Children are best off when they can form strong, enduring bonds with caregivers.

Ultimately, choosing a Montessori preschool is a very personal decision. If after you've left, you love the idea of leaving your child there, it's probably the right place for you.

"The preschool we chose was strong not only in the Montessori method, but also enriched with art, music, dance and gym. For us, these were equally important aspects of our son’s social development”, says Fiona Reed mother of two boys.

Kid-test it

Come back and visit for a while with your child. You'll want to see how your child and the teachers interact and whether he/she seems comfortable in the preschool's environment.

Get on the waiting list

If the preschool of your dreams isn't available, don't despair. Put yourself on the waiting list, and, while you're at it, write a letter spelling out why you like the school so much. It won't guarantee you a place it, but it can't hurt to let the school know how enthusiastic you are about it.

Click here for a printable checklist to help you find the best preschool for your child.