Breaking up with Daycare :-/ long

D_Nett86 · June 2011

I need some advice.

I really love the daycare that DS is in now. The teachers are great, everyone loves him, and he loves everyone there. It was not my first pick in daycare's and I just went with them because they were the only place that had an available spot for my infant at the time. I don't regret my choice in putting him there and I'm actually having a really hard time thinking about moving him to another daycare.

We have a family friend who owns a Montessori locally and they accept kids as young as 1. Jayden has been on the waiting list there since he was a newborn and he actually went to school there for a couple of weeks before she decided to get rid of the infant room.

I know Montessori's are really great schools and the parents who bring their kids there rave about the school. Developmentally wise I think he will be better at the Montessori since they're more structured with lesson plans. The daycare he is in now is a Baptist daycare so I think they focus on including the bible more with their lessons, which I have no issue with at all.

Now that he's almost a year old and can be moved into the Montessori, I'm having a hard time breaking up with the daycare he's in now. I'd have to move him from his friends and teachers that he loves so much. I don't know if I should just keep him where he is since he's comfortable there, knows everyone, and actually likes going to "school". WWYD?

ETA: Sorry about my Montessori being structured comment. You can just skip over that lol. Embarrassed

olga&shaun · June 2011

I can imagine that you're having a hard time deciding, but if it were me, then I'd probably stay with the first daycare. Montessori schools are really excellent and super structured and focused on developmental stimulation, but your DS is still a very small baby. His job is to play and feel loved and secure. He's going to have another 12-15 years of structured learning to deal with. If I were you, I'd put him on the list for the 3-4year olds at Montessori, and keep him where he is for now.

ToastieSimons · June 2011

Do you actually know the structure of a Montessori school learning wise? Is your family friend's school following the Montessori structure?

Montessori is about letting children learn through play. So "lesson plan" wise it's probably less structured than a Baptist preschool.

historychick79 · June 2011

I know Montessori's are generally wonderful. That said, I feel like age 1-2yrs is a difficult time to change providers (unless there's critical issues). I also think babies/kisd need time to just play and explore; there's a lot of years for lesson plans and structure. For me, if he's loved, well taken care of and doing great with milestones, why fix what isn't broken.

D_Nett86 · June 2011

ToastieSimons:
Do you actually know the structure of a Montessori school learning wise? Is your family friend's school following the Montessori structure?

Montessori is about letting children learn through play. So "lesson plan" wise it's probably less structured than a Baptist preschool.

Gotcha! She does follow the Montessori structure. I guess I worded that wrong.

Thank you for you input ladies. I like your point of view.

jlthompson19 · June 2011

ToastieSimons:

Do you actually know the structure of a Montessori school learning wise? Is your family friend's school following the Montessori structure?

Montessori is about letting children learn through play. So "lesson plan" wise it's probably less structured than a Baptist preschool.

Right. Montessori is kind of the opposite of structure.

JJ1973 · June 2011

Although I understand your anxiety, my guess is that a switch would be just fine on LO. Of course, with any daycare situation there is a period of adjustment, but if the newer placement meets your needs, I wouldn't worry too much. I think sometimes these things are harder on us than LOs. People do this all the time and it is usually just fine. Also, Montessori is a very nice approach for early childhood for a variety of reasons (I work with children and make educational recommendations, and I recommend it all the time). I think it is nice to have a guiding philosophy for daycare...

D_Nett86 · June 2011

Cassie730:
Personally, at this age I don't think the "structure" and "lesson plan" are as important to me. I would rather he be somewhere fun and comfortable where he doesn't have issues with any of the other kids and the teachers are loving and comforting and he's comfortable. He has plenty of years ahead for "school" right now he learns in his own way from play. The only problem I've ever actually had with my daycare is that she wants Brady to sit still for story/circle time in the morning. I know she doesn't MAKE him and I think she does well but he's just not a "sit still" kind of kid...he's all over the place. I think there is something to be said for montessori schools but I also think there is something to be said for trying to force too much structure at such a young age. I don't want a boy who knows how to sit still and be quiet...I want him to be a rowdy little boy and learn in his own way. Just my 2c. GL!!! I know these decisions are the hardest ones to make!

Haha I know what you mean. When daycare gave me the list of what he would be doing in the Toddler room I was like GL getting him to sit still for stories and fall asleep on a nap mat. He's such an active and wild kid.

giantsgirl55 · June 2011

Montessori is def NOT structured. My girlfriend had her son go for his first few years, then switched him to regular school. He had a problem with getting up and walking out of the classroom in the middle of a lesson...Montessori, they allow children to do basically whatever they want during the day.

I know it is probably different for infants but my friend had a really hard time breaking her son of those habits.

Libby1978 · June 2011

If I were you I'd leave him where he is. There is something to be said for the comfort a baby has in being with familiar people in a familiar place. Oliver is with a sitter in her home. He is happy, gets lots of love and attention, and he has never cried or been upset when I leave him. At this age I am more concerned with the peace of mind I have knowing he is happy and well taken care of. I don't think I'll worry about structure and a pre-school setting until he is at least 3.

D_Nett86 · June 2011

giantsgirl55:
Montessori is def NOT structured. My girlfriend had her son go for his first few years, then switched him to regular school. He had a problem with getting up and walking out of the classroom in the middle of a lesson...Montessori, they allow children to do basically whatever they want during the day.

I know it is probably different for infants but my friend had a really hard time breaking her son of those habits.

Oh wow. That's good to know. Thanks.

ames71 · June 2011

You've said only great things about his current daycare. He's happy there, you're happy with the teachers, he's loved there, and he likes going. I'd leave him where he is. This might be one of those "grass is greener" type of things.

Unknown · June 2011

This content has been removed.

mcp · June 2011

I agree that if you're happy and your baby is happy with your current daycare then I'd stay put, especially since he's still so young. He's comfortable with his teachers, the kids, and the routine so I don't think it's worth changing. What if you stayed on the waiting list at the Montessori school and considered moving him when he's a bit older?

huber22 · June 2011

I really think he would be okay with switching. DS has switched daycares three times in six months, not ideal, I know, but with every change he gets happier and happier.

I think a Montessori environment, if you are really interested in it, is a great opportunity for a child.

Ulimately, its your choice. Can you take him to the school a few times and see how he likes it?

JJ1973 · June 2011

Please read more info re: Montessori prior to making a call (if that is one thing you're worried about). Prior posters have referenced "structure" - Montessori does focus on the physical structure of the classroom (they have well defined areas and an emphasis on the kinds of activities and materials available), but they emphasize exploration and discovery in the learning process. Usually, this means children are free to explore their environment and direct their own activities. It DOES NOT resemble a first grade classroom lol:) Every Montessori school I've been in has been really laid back looking. The difference, though, between Montessori and other preschool/daycare settings is that they often put more thought into the materials and the physical structure of the classroom. Just my experiences having observed many of these classrooms in the context of my profession (but I'm by no means a Montessori expert).

Want a personalized experience?

Breaking up with Daycare :-/ long

Re: Breaking up with Daycare :-/ long

Choose Another Board

Search Boards