by: Forestville Monstessori School
What makes a Montessori School so different from daycare?
If you’re seeking something different from regular daycare for your toddler or preschooler, have you considered an authentic Montessori education?
The name Montessori has recently experienced something of a resurgence, yet the experience of a true and authentic Montessori education remains widely unexplored.
One of the biggest differentiating factors of an authentic Montessori education – whether for your toddler, preschooler or older children, is the training and qualifications of our staff.
Here are 3 things about a genuine Montessori learning environment that are different from daycare in ways that may surprise you!
1. Montessori preschool programs focus on academic learning
Montessori is much more than childcare or daycare. In addition to care and nurturing of children, students aged 2-6 years at Forestville Montessori School (FMS) are active learners. In an authentic Montessori school like FMS, preschool students participate in an academic curriculum that covers early mathematics, language, literacy, science and geography. The Montessori learning materials are designed to invite children to learn through play. Children become curious, self-motivated and inspired to learn more. They have the space, environment and encouragement to do so. Many parents are left open-mouthed after spending time in our preschool classrooms when they see the level of academic work performed by our capable young learners. This makes us more like a school than a preschool.
2. Our educators are degree-qualified teachers with additional Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) qualifications
To deliver a curriculum focused on academics requires qualified teaching staff. At FMS our staff are degree qualified teachers and also hold internationally recognised Montessori teaching qualifications. This means our staff go beyond government standards for care and education to meet the more rigorous Montessori expectations of personalised education and early childhood development too. Each teacher is supported by a qualified teaching assistant. At FMS, many of our assistants hold degrees in other fields as well as childcare certifications. All have AMI Montessori qualifications for the age group/s in which they serve. This sets FMS well apart from most daycare and childcare centres, and mainstream schools as well.
3. Our staff are committed and consistent
To obtain degree level or above qualifications and complete the intensive AMI Montessori training means our teachers are deeply engaged with and committed to their work. For the highly skilled and trained Montessori teacher, working in an authentic Montessori school is a career, a passion and a lifelong endeavour. What’s more, as the Montessori system works in 3-year cycles, teachers have the time to genuinely know and understand their students and work with them to support individual learning. During a 3-year cycle, teachers develop a strong and personal relationship with each child and each family. Family is very much a part of the school community. With this personal and family-oriented approach, you join a community that feels like home.
Yes – an authentic Montessori school is different from daycare and other preschool environments, and proudly so!
These differences are just the start. Like other preschools, at FMS, we meet ACECQA regulations, and we offer CCS rebates for eligible families. For students looking to continue in Primary school, FMS has an exceptional NESA-accredited Kindergarten program offering a seamless transition to primary school and a continuation of Montessori learning.
Want to know more?
Discover the Difference at Forestville Montessori school! Book a Tour today or call 02 9452 2044/ 0408424699 for a personal conversation with our Admissions Manager, Bec Talty.