WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DAY CARE,
NURSERY SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL?
Day Care Centers are generally for the purpose of caring for children on an all-day basis.
Nursery Schools are generally experiences in socialization and play. 
Preschools are oriented toward educational experiences combined with socialization and play.

HOW IS A MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PRESCHOOLS?
In most preschools the children are taught educational concepts in a group by a teacher. 
In a Montessori Preschool the children learn concepts spontaneously as they work
independently with the many materials in the environment.

WHAT IS THE MONTESSORI METHOD OF EDUCATION?
The Montessori Method of Education is basically a unique approach to learning. 
Rather than "teaching" the child concepts, an environment is designed to stimulate
the child’s interest and facilitate his understanding and learning capacities
spontaneously with little or no adult intervention.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MONTESSORI METHOD?
The main purpose of the Montessori method is to develop an environment
where the child can unfold spontaneously and manifest the greater person within.
According to Maria Montessori,"The child is the father of the man." 
As the child begins to developt his inner self, his love of life and
learning expands continuously.

WHO STARTED THE MONTESSORI METHOD?
Dr. Maria Montessori, over 70 years ago, was Italy’s first woman medical doctor.
  Using her scientific background, she began observing the children in the
children’s houses of Rome. Based on unbiased observations she developed unique materials,
a child-centered environment, and was one of the first persons to revolutionize
educational thoughts by stressing respect for the child, freedom of expression,
self-education,and training through use of movement and the senses.

WHAT IS IN A MONTESSORI CLASSROOM?
The Montessori classroom is a child-sized world. Whatever is in the world
outside can be incorporated meaningfully in the Montessori classroom. 
To a child, the world is unmanageable… it is too big, too complex and too confusing. 
By careful selection of materials by the directress, an environment is set up
that allows the child to explore life on a level he can understand. 
The materials or exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. 
This prepared environment entices the child to proceed at his own pace from simple
activities to more complex ones.  Through this process the child’s natural curiosity
is satisfied and he begins to experience the joy of discovering the world about him. 
Materials and curriculum center around Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math,
Geography, Science, Art, Music, Drama and Dance.

HOW DO CHILDREN INTERACT IN THE ENVIRONMENT?
As the children develop their sense of pride in their "work", a feeling of confidence,
well being and joy begins to manifest itself in the child. 
A "new child" is born. A classroom of Montessori children is a joy to watch. 
There seems to be a spirit of respect, love, and cooperation among the children
that is not found too often.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MONTESSORI TEACHER?
The Montessori teacher is called a directress because she facilitates
the classroom activity. She carefully plans the environment in the interests
of the children and she helps the children progress from one activity to the next. 
She is trained to deal with each child individually allowing him to choose from many
activities within his range of ability. She stands back while a child is working
and allows him the satisfaction of his own discovery.

WITH ALL THE FREEDOM, ISN’T THERE CONFUSION?
The concept of freedom within the classroom is one of freedom within limits. 
A child is allowed to work freely so long as he does not disturb others. 
Actually, the children having the freedom to follow their interests are
generally happy and busily involved with their work.

WHAT IS THE BEST AGE for A CHILD TO START ?

Maria Montessori outlined various periods of "sensitivity". 
During these times, a child is more capable of and interested in learning
specific concepts. At age 2 - 3 a special sense of order, concentration,
coordination and independence begin to emerge. This time is ideal to begin
a child’s training in Montessori as he is at the perfect period to build a
strong foundation for future learning.

  HOW DO MONTESSORI CHILDREN ADJUST TO PUBLIC SCHOOL?
Children who have been in a Montessori environment are generally very flexible
and adjust quite easily to the public school situation. They are generally
better students and spend their time in more productive ways because of their
self-direction and positive attitude towards learning.

WHY IS A MONTESSORI EXPERIENCE FOR FIVE DAYS?
The Montessori classroom experience is for five consecutive days in order
to allow the spontaneous learning of the child to flow smoothly. 
A child taken in and out of school every other day does not have the
same opportunity to pursue his unfolding interests.

WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZAITON AND GROUP WORK?
Socialization is very much a part of the Montessori method. 
In the classroom you will notice children interacting continuously,
choosing to work on projects together and older children helping younger ones. 
Each day there is some group activity and play outside.

WHO IS THE MONTESSORI METHOD DESIGNED FOR?
The Montessori method is an "approach to learning" and as such has no
distinction of class or intelligence. It has been used successfully in all
parts of the world and in all types of programs, i.e. Headstart, gifted,
mentally retarded, etc.

ISN’T MONTESSORI EXPENSIVE?
Tuition in Montessori preschool throughout the country is sometimes higher
than other preschools because of the extensive materials, encompassing environment,
curriculum and trained staff. It is, however a very reasonable cost in contrast
to other activities you would plan for yourself and your child. It becomes a matter
of what you value most. To give your child the finest possible experience in his
most sensitive years is to give him a strong foundation throughout his life. 
The child who enjoys learning and becomes self-directed at the critical preschool age
will benefit through all his years of learning.

DOES MONTESSORI EMPLOY CURRENT RESEARCH AND THEORY IN EDUCATION METHODS?
Montessori is not a static or closed system of education. While there are
certain materials and methods that have been proven effective during the years. 
Montessori is as much an attitude about education and children as it is a specific method.

DO YOU ENCOURAGE PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL?
We encourage parent involvement through conferences,observations, discussions, etc. 
The staff feels that the more parents can understand the experience of the child
in the classroom, the better able they are to follow through at home. When parents
follow through at home, the child benefits even more because he has a consistent
environment in which to grow.

WHAT IS THE TRAINING OF THE STAFF?

Each classroom is headed by a directress who has had specific Montessori training
from an approved Montessori Training Center. All assistants are selected on the
basis of their awareness of the child and dedication to the principles of
child development. Interns are in the process of becoming certified Montessori teachers.