Every parent wants the best for their child. But what does the best mean, especially when it comes to schooling? The number of early childhood centre options, times the number of  ways that different children learn, equals an insane amount of possibilities. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could choose a school that not only fits our child’s learning needs perfectly, but also has a great teacher to student ratio and is completely within our budget? Well, it might not always be possible to get exactly what we want, but it is possible to choose between the options that we have to provide the best experience we can to our child.

Montessori and regular kindergarten are two of the most common choices for childhood centres, especially in places like the United States and New Zealand. But why are they so popular, versus other options, and what makes them so great? We’ll examine both the pros and the cons of each, along with a bit of history to help you make a more well rounded decision.

MONTESSORI

History

Montessori schools were originally founded by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator with a passion and dedication to changing the way we thought about education. Maria believed that the education systems of her time were flawed, specifically when it came to children with disabilities, like children with autism for example. So, in 1907, Maria decided it was time to open her own school to address some of these issues. She based her educational model on the idea that children who have the freedom to choose and act in whatever way they choose, within a controlled and prepared environment, will lead to better development.

Montessori kindys are usually mixed age, meaning several ages of children could be in the same class. A hands on approach is used, meaning children are encouraged to interact with not only their environment, but also with objects to help them learn concepts like math or their ABC’s.

Pros

• Hands on learning:

By far, one of the biggest benefits of going Montessori is the type of learning your child will receive. Using their hands to work with numbers, letters, and more will help them learn themselves, versus being fed an education.

• Independence:

Montessori schools have encouraged independent learning in everything they do. Even the idea of directing your own learning means that you are choosing your own path for your learning from an early age. Children are allowed to move freely with objects and space to learn within the environment.

• Play time:

Your child will have plenty of play and fun time in school, but there’s no need to fear that it will be all play and no learning. Montessori’s method is meant to ensure that learning happens through play.

Cons

• Cost:

If you’re short on cash, a Montessori school is possibly not the way for you. Think about it: Montessori schools require a teacher who is very in depth and active with the students, which means that they’ll often have a lower student to teacher ratio. Now of course, this is a really great thing, but it will mean higher costs. While forking out crazy cash for Montessori can be very overwhelming, remember that there are options for you if you need some additional help. For example, in NZ you likely would qualify for 20 hours of free childcare if your childcare centre offers it. You can find out more information on this, here.

• Waitlist:

With great popularity comes great waitlists. Montessori is still growing at rapid rates all over the world. You may be facing waitlists or lotteries to get into to a school, and may not be lucky at all. Do your research, and ensure you have a backup if your first choice doesn’t pull through.  

• Structure:

Another con of Montessori is the lack of structure. The teachers are often letting the children set the pace for the classroom, which can mean there is less structure in the curriculum and learning. You may find that for your child, a more rigid structure and boundaries actually helps them learn better.

• Fraudulent schools:

There are schools out there claiming to teach the Montessori method, but aren’t true Montessori schools. If you’re searching for infant care in Albany, for example, look out for Montessori accreditation when searching, and ask about the teachers and what kind of training they’ve had. Here are a few more tips for finding an authentic Montessori school.

KINDERGARTEN

History

The first kindergartens are thought to be have been started in Germany in the late 18th century. Just like today, they were opened to care and watch for children whose parents were gone throughout the day.

Pros:

• Structured:

As mentioned above, this can actually be a pro or a con for both Montessori and traditional kindergartens. With kindy, your child will typically follow a regiment that the rest of the classroom follows as well. This can help to teach skills for later in life.

• Affordable and available:

The sheer number of kindergartens will mean you have a greater choice in both location and price. It means you can thoroughly research each kindy and find one that suits your needs.

• Unique programs for your child:

By having the flexibility to look at all available kindergartens besides just the Montessori method, you have the opportunity to find something that your child will excel in, rather than what you think will work best based on your assumptions.

Cons

• Accreditation:

Not all kindergarteners are created equal, meaning not all of them will require the same certifications. With a Montessori accredited school, you’ll know they’ve received the training. Of course, this problem can be somewhat avoided by doing your research first.

• Lack of imagination:

There’s a chance that if your child isn’t given the freedom to explore their environment, their imagination is stifled and forced into a structure instead.

• Pacing:

In Montessori, your child is allowed to learn something as long as they need to. In a more traditional environment the teacher may need to move the class along without your child fully grasping the concept.

Now that you’ve seen the pros and cons of Montessori versus traditional kindergartens, we hope you’re able to make an easier decision. Remember that the most important thing is that your child feels comfortable and is generally excited about learning in whatever environment they are in.