okay, I think I'm ending my SAHM status and looking for a job. HELP!!

Re: okay, I think I'm ending my SAHM status and looking for a job. HELP!!

• yellowtulips80 member

  January 2011

  There are many options out there.  I suggest you visit them and narrow down your choices.  Once you narrow it down to two options I would go back and visit at different times of the day.  It helps to know what it is like in the morning and afternoon.
  

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• 2-Step member

  January 2011

  I agree about checking out some places and narrowing down your options. Don't assume that everything other than a center will have your child watching TV all day. I have my DS in an awesome in-home daycare with lots of structure, pre-school program, full playground, organic home-made meals and tons of great activities. There are amazing in-home places and awful ones, just the same with centers. Interview the caretaker personally and understand the full schedule before you make a judgement. I do like Montessori however the one in my area is AWFUL. A friend of mine worked there during high school and the stories she told me made me cringe. I'm not saying all of them are that way, but just remember to make judgements based on your gut feelings not just on how well known the center is.
  

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• dragon_chica member

  January 2011

  I love the Montessori philosophy and will most likely enroll DD in one.  But be forewarned, Montessori has become such a trendy name now.  A school may call themselves "Montessori" but it may not mean they follow it the way it's suppose to be.  Read up on it and arm yourself with specific questions on how they are applying the philosophy.  But like pps said, there are plenty of preschools out there and you may end up feeling more connected to one over the other.
  

  

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• 2-Step member

  January 2011

  dragon_chica:

  I love the Montessori philosophy and will most likely enroll DD in one.  But be forewarned, Montessori has become such a trendy name now.  A school may call themselves "Montessori" but it may not mean they follow it the way it's suppose to be.  Read up on it and arm yourself with specific questions on how they are applying the philosophy.  But like pps said, there are plenty of preschools out there and you may end up feeling more connected to one over the other.
  

  I agree, some Montessori schools use the name to up their rates. Others really and truly apple the methods. 
  

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• ablou member

  January 2011

  I have no help on DCP, but I'm looking into turning in my SAHM card, as well.  GL!
  

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• LoveEeyore member

  January 2011

  I just turned in my application for a Montessori 1/2 day pprogram yesterday.  I have been to 3 schools, observed several programs for a total of about 5 hours, have an MEd and still am not totally sure I fully get it.  But it seemed to me perfect for my daughter. 

  I love the multi-age aspect.  I saw so much nurturing going on between the older and younger students.  Frankly, it bothered me that there are no toys-  no fireman hats or play kitchens.  I found it odd that there were so many kids in a room, but intrigued that the chaos was so calm.  I love the busy-ness, but wish recess was in the middle of the day, not the end.  I love that ours offers yoga once a week.  At one time in the room, one child was doing yoga, 2 giggling and hAving snack in a corner, 2 longing in a reading area, a few doing a huge puzzle of the united States.  Frankly it looked like an indoor recess to me.  Kids helped eachother, kids worked alone, kids worked with the teacher,  I hate the terminology "doing their works," but admit I don't totally know the theory behind it. 

  My gut says she'll love it.  She;'s in school 2 days a week and begs for more.  She loves to be kept busy.  She craves order,   As much as I am certain it suits her learning style, I have pangs of "so what, does she need to be learning at 3?"  But she craves it.  She is sounding out words and asking how to do plusing (addition).  I can't give her that strucure with the twins and I have guilt about that, but then she loves her play school and is very happy and easy going- do i want to mess with that, 

  The kids all acted like normal little kids. There's a 6 week trial where parent or school can stop and tuition is refunded.  This did it for us,  DH rarely asserts a strong opinion on this type of decision, but he wants it badly for her, so we'll try.

  Not sure how that would work for you.  For me it is a hesitant leap of faith.  I think it will be very good- the best thing ever for her.  Or it will be awful.  I think it certainly is not for every child.  She said boys warm up more slowly.  And that they start at 3 and potty trained.    Good luck with your decision.  I am finding it's a hard one! 

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• PrettyInPearls23 member

  January 2011

  There are a lot of options out there, and I think you'll find each type option can vary greatly between organizations.

  I was against sending DS to an in-home DCP, but all of the centers I visited gave me a bad feeling. I know not to go against my mommy-intuition, and i'm glad I didn't. DS is now in an in-home DCP that is amazing. She has a very structured schedule with reading, arts & crafts, "letter of the day" activities, free play time, a large outdoor play area, etc. In the summer she has a special activity each day in addition to normal activites, such as water days and a field trip every Friday. DS loves going to see "Miss Tammy" and I know she truly loves and cares for him. At this age, it's more important to me that my child's caregiver see him as one of her own, rather than one of her "students".  And FWIW, the TV has never once been on when I've been there

  Look luck in your decision, it's not an easy one!

  

  
  

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• berrysweet

  January 2011

  I know this isn't a popular opinion on here, but my SIL teaches preschool and pre-K. I have another good friend who teaches that same age range, and they've both said that for the most part, kids who went to Montessori schools have a really hard time adapting to the structure of a more traditional classroom.

  However, that may be more indicative of the "Montessori" classrooms here than the actual method. 
  

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• groovygrl member

  January 2011

  I don't have an opinion on Montessori except that to me, with the cost & the sort of exclusiveness of them (I *think* that to get into the regular Montessori school programs once they're older, you can't just come in like in 2nd grade or whatever, but have to have been doing it prior, is that correct?), it seems to be a method that you should be committed to & interested in keeping them in for a long time. I don't know if the preschool ages have more kids enrolled knowing a lot will leave for regular public school or not, but I guess that is just my impression of it, that it is a way of life that you plan to continue with or something. 

  I would look at your state's rating system & pick out some of the higher rated centers and go check them out so you at least have a basis for comparison, not just b/c Montessori sounds good or you have heard it is good... you could even ask the centers how they are different and what they feel some of their advantages are compared to Montessori so that you can have an overall view of it... and like pps said, I'm sure not all Montessori schools are created alike.

  GL! It isn't easy to find a care provider that you feel good about so if you like the Montessori one & your H is really into it, go for it (esp w/ that money back thing!) 

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• kellyperk85 member

  January 2011

  It costs 9,400 to send my kid to a Montessori school?  HOLY SHIIT!  That is soooooo expensive.

   

  (I looked it up .. and it seems great but the price is astronomical.)

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• ToyLes0922

  January 2011

  kellyperk85:

  It costs 9,400 to send my kid to a Montessori school?  HOLY SHIIT!  That is soooooo expensive.

   

  (I looked it up .. and it seems great but the price is astronomical.)

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