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Do you value your child’s education but don’t know where to start?
Of course you do. That’s why you’re here!
When choosing the best care and education for your child, two popular options to consider are Montessori programs and traditional daycare.
What’s the difference?
Well, that’s what we’re covering today.
Understanding the differences between Montessori vs daycare can help you decide which option best meets your child’s needs and your family’s values.
So, let’s cover them in detail. Keep reading!
What Is a Daycare?
A regular daycare is a service that provides supervision and care for children during the day by a person or organization.
Pretty simple, right?
Here’s the thing: In my experience, traditional daycare is a place where parents take their children for someone to watch over them. However, there is typically no consideration for your child in terms of knowledge — what’s best for them, their interests, or their future.
Essentially, your child’s learning and development.
The people who are hired to watch over your children are typically people who may like to be around children but do not have the knowledge or experience to shape their future.
Don’t get me wrong: They can be really kind people, but their job is solely for supervision.
Common Characteristics of Daycare Centers
When it comes to comparing the Montessori methodology to traditional daycare environments, here’s what you need to know:
Health & Safety
Safety, health, and cleanliness should always be implemented at a high standard. State and local governments require stringent rules and regulations.
For example:
- There shouldn’t be any accessible cleaning products or toxic chemicals
- Depending on the age and state, the teacher-to-child ratio needs to meet a minimum requirement
- There must be a fire drill every month
Are these standards always upheld?
Generally speaking, yes, whether your child is in a daycare, Montessori preschool, or any other shared educational institution, they do the best they can at upholding these standards.
However, I can tell you from professional experience that this is not always the case. Following the standard can be quite challenging.
In fact, it’s rare for a school to maintain a 1:11 teacher-to-student ratio at all times. I cannot tell you how many times I was alone in a classroom with over twenty kids.
I’ve also been in situations where the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was performing one of their unannounced check-ins — and since we hadn’t conducted our required fire drill, we had to do it right there on the spot.
Think about it:
Your child might be in a situation like this one.
The fact that this happens in daycare settings (among others) is why I decided to start my own venture where we prioritize the needs of our children.
Other Daycare Settings
The number one thing that comes to mind when I think about comparing Montessori vs daycare is this:
Overstimulation.
That’s right. Believe it or not, daycares are typically overstimulating children.
How so?
Think about your traditional daycare center. Have you noticed anything particular about them?
The bright colors everywhere, lots of plastic toys, posters, cartoons, drawings on the walls, and no sense of purpose or direction.
This stimulating environment can cause problems such as irritability, difficulty focusing, tantrums, meltdowns, and repetitive behaviors. All of these things cause stress not just for the children but for the teachers as well.
Pros vs. Cons of Traditional Daycare Centers
Every daycare is different based on the age group it serves and the state it’s in, but here are some of the most common pros and cons I’ve seen in daycares.
Pros
- Accredited/regulated: For a daycare to open, it must be recognized by a nationally accredited agency, and it must have certified teachers.
- Unlimited options: There are daycares in every corner of your neighborhood, meaning families typically have various local options.
- Affordable: Some daycare programs can be pricy, but the majority are affordable. Additionally, there are government programs that offer assistance.
Cons
- Overstimulation: Overcrowding and distracting decor can cause overstimulation, causing issues for all the children and adults in the environment.
- Lack of purpose: The materials in daycare classrooms don’t have an educational purpose, which can stunt child development.
- No degree requirement: Teachers at traditional daycares only need a certification; no degree is necessary.
- Lack of familiarity: Typically, your child is with the same teacher for only a year. By the time the teacher gets to know your child’s needs, your child moves on to a different classroom.
Can a Daycare Center Provide Montessori Education?
Since Montessori isn’t a franchise, traditional schools or daycares can technically have the word Montessori in their name. For this reason, yes, childcare centers can provide “Montessori education,” but they’re probably not accredited or regulated. (Check the organizations for accreditation in the final section.)
So make sure you to do your due diligence. A so-called Montessori preschool or classroom can be misleading these days. You want to look for an authentic, accredited Montessori school.
What Are Montessori Schools?
If you’re looking for an answer to the question “What is a Montessori school?” you first need to understand the Montessori method.
The Montessori method is a child-centered approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, exploration, and self-directed activities.
Essentially, the Montessori method follows the child’s natural development at their own pace. It promotes leadership skills and the child’s interests while developing these skills in Montessori classrooms with child-led techniques.
Every Montessori classroom varies depending on the age groups. This is true across all states (or pretty much anywhere) for accredited Montessori programs. The most common age groups in Montessori are:
- Infants and Toddlers: 0 to 3 years old
- Early Childhood: 3 to 6 years old
- Elementary: 6 to 12 years old
Regardless of age group, the Montessori method has many pillars. One of the most essential is a prepared environment. This means the Montessori classroom is ready for the children, and everything is accessible, allowing for independent learning without the assistance of an adult.
The average person won’t notice the work that goes into preparing a natural environment for Montessori students to thrive. The most common characteristics of a Montessori early childhood classroom are:
- Open space: This allows freedom of movement and choice
- Independence: The Montessori class encourages independent and self-directed learning
- Neutral environment: Neutral colors and organization to create a sense of calmness
- Child-led: No pre-determined material. The Montessori curriculum is based on the children’s interests to foster engagement.
Pros and Cons of Montessori schools
Just like any other educational institution, Montessori environments have advantages as well as areas for growth. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros
- Everything has a purpose: All the Montessori materials and lessons are thoroughly thought out and placed in specific areas of the classroom.
- Sense of calmness and order: Colors in the Montessori classroom are neutral, and students know where everything goes, creating a relaxed environment.
- Three-year cycle: Montessori children spend roughly three years with the same teacher.
- Individual learning: Montessori children learn what they’re interested in and at their own pace.
- Degree requirement: Unlike typical daycare or childcare teachers, Montessori teachers must have a Bachelor’s degree and Montessori teaching certificate to lead a classroom.
- Life skills: Montessori schools teach practical life skills to prepare for the future.
- Mixed ages: Montessori classrooms have students of mixed ages, allowing them to learn from other children and gain access to the understanding of community.
Cons
- Expensive/non-diverse: Since Montessori schools are primarily private and marketed to affluent communities, the tuition can be costly. This sometimes leads to a non-inclusive environment.
- Limited supply: Unlike traditional daycares, the Montessori method is a very specific type of education. This means you may need to shop around for the right Montessori school.
- Not a franchise: You can’t be sure if the school is an authentic Montessori school unless you conduct research. You’ll want to know if they are an accredited organization (see below).
- Limited resources: Most Montessori schools are not funded by the government, so there are limited resources for financial assistance.
How to Check Montessori Organizations for Accreditations & Authenticity
To achieve a Montessori accreditation, the school must undergo a rigorous process. This process allows families to confidently choose accredited schools so their children get the best Montessori education possible. Here are some organizations to validate accreditation:
- American Montessori Society (AMS): AMS, the most popular Montessori organization in the United States, is considered the most up-to-date. Check their site to find a school near you.
- Association Montessori International (AMI): AMI is another popular U.S. organization, best known for honoring the origins of the Montessori method. Search the AMI school locator for accredited schools.
- Montessori Accredited Council for Teacher Education (MACTE): This organization is recognized all over the world. Check the MACTE School Locator for an authentic Montessori experience.
Final Thoughts on Montessori vs Daycare
So, what are my thoughts regarding Montessori vs daycare?
While it may seem obvious that I’m biased towards the Montessori philosophy, understand this:
Although I feel that Montessori is a better type of education for children, it needs to work on inclusion and accessibility so everyone can obtain a Montessori education, not just those who have the financial means to do so.
But hey, that’s just my take. Have questions about Montessori education? Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help.