Montessori or Reg. preschool?

HotDish!

And why? I'm having a hard time deciding if Montessori is worth the extra money.

JOEBunny

I would love to send DD to Montessori, but the one that is near here is $6700 a year vs. the good regular is sub $3,000 +- donations.  I can't really justify the extra cost and I don't want to put her in for 5 hours a day @ 4, which is the "short" day. 

If I worked I would have her in Montessori daycare though.  My friends child goes there and it is amazing!

hikerbeth

You really need to take some tours to see what will fit with your family and child.

I know that my DD would have done well in a Montessori environment.  I love the tools they use to encourage more "advanced" concepts to preschoolers.  However, after touring our local Montessori, I knew that particular school wouldn't be the right fit for her.  I didn't really like the director and they didn't really encourage outdoor time which is huge to me.

DD ended up at a "regular" preschool and we couldn't be happier.  It isn't all structure. . . they get to choose stations to work at, and there is plenty of outdoor time which my 3 year old needs.

shouldbworkin

IMO, I think many preschools are very similar to Montessori, especially for 3 y/o's.  If academics are important to you, I'm sure you can find a PS that is a little bit more academic than play based for 4 y/o's.  In the end, I don't think it really matters if your kid is reading before kindergarten or not ... they all seem to even out over time and have their own strengths and weakness regardless of where they went to PS.

For us, we did send out kids to Montessori, mostly b/c it cost the same for us as PS would have for the hours we needed it. 

hopefulmom

My DD's went the Montessori route and I am glad...it was good for them.  My oldest DS did not...he went with a traditional pre-school and that was good for him.  My youngest DS went to Montessori last year and although I felt he learned a lot we liked the 'structure" of the regular preschool better so that is where he is now.  It is less expensive too...but not by much.  I think you just have to know your child.  If she works well by herself without much instruction then Montessori will be good for her.  Since we don't have close neighbors I like the aspect my DS can stay an extra half hour and just PLAY in the gym with kids his age.  They don't do that much in Montessori (at least not around here).  They play...but by themselves but with educational toys, etc (which is good) but they don't have the social aspect.