Would these things bug you about a Montessori classroom?

[BCFD]

Would this bug you if you noticed this in your DC's school and what would you do about it? Would you talk to the directress/teacher about it? Would you be ok with it? Am I just being nitpicky?

* Pieces of the pink tower missing (only 7 or 8 pcs. and not all 10)
* The moveable alphabet being a nice little wood sectioned box with plastic magnetic blue and red letters like these (but not this box) and not these
* A calendar on a windowsill that still had 06 Feb when it is 12 Feb (they did have to close that particular room down for a week, so maybe the teacher just forgot? I'll let 'em slide on this one.)
* Kindy students (5, 6 year olds) getting "time outs" for being mean to each other (the teacher said they don't use time outs much in the preschool group and they use more redirection, but the older kids "know they shouldn't be doing that")

On the other hand, this school does have a lot of very authentic Nienhuis materials (sandpaper letters, globes, sound boxes, cylinder blocks, metal insets, brown stair, etc.), I just noticed a few things that kinda bugged the anal retentive part of me.

[KBecks]

I see your concerns over the materials, but none of these things would be a huge deal for me. I'd definitely talk about the pink tower and request that they get all 10 pieces because the concept of 10 is important.

We use time outs at home, very sparingly, so it wouldn't bother me, but I do see it as a likely departure from the M philosophy. Are you new to this school? If these are the only issues then I'd think it's no big deal, but I'd be watchful to see that the teaching and discipline are M style, respectful and loving. I think that it's possible to give a time out gently, but I'd want to know what kind of attitude the teacher has. If I suspected a bad attitude from any teacher, I'd seriously consider leaving the school.

[onlyboys]

Well, I don't think it would bother me much, though the materials need to be replaced. Is it a private or a public school? I guess my point is, is funding an issue for replacing these items? If so, then I would try to get some other parents to chip in and replace these items. Maybe the teacher has a wish list and this is on them?

As for the time outs, our M teachers handle things directly (We don't hurt our friends, or whatnot) and then if they are being disruptive for the group, they need to step away and then rejoin when they feel they can be part of the group again. It's very self-directed exile.

Have you talked to the teacher about your concerns with the time-outs?

[BCFD]

Thank you both for the replies. I'm really stressing myself out over picking a school for DD. :::sigh::::

This is a private school that will be costing $400/month for a 3 half day program. We are trying desperately to decide if it's going to be this school or the other school. We know it's going to be one of the two. I can't help but think that they should be using $50 of tuition money to replace a pink tower! Sheesh. Again, maybe all the pieces were there and they were just located somewhere on the floor because a child was just playing with it, but that's unlikely. I was thinking that I'd just go buy them a new pink tower, but after paying my registration fees and monthly tuition I feel that should be more than enough to cover it.

I'm not really concerned with the time outs since we do use "the chair" at home. The teacher did it in a very "nice" tone and it was with the older kids (5 and 6 year olds). I didn't have an issue with how she was treating them and, in fact, the kids CLING to her because they love her so much. I can tell she is a wonderful woman and I do feel that the teachers there are all very gentle.

So, I woke up at 5:30 am with this on my mind again and I'm debating these things:

Do I want the school that is far more organized and quiet with excellent materials that are all in good shape? Or do I want a school that is closer to our house and the teachers are a little more laid back/not as organized? I keep flip flopping on this, but I told DP this morning that if we are paying for a Montessori education, I want just that. One that has prinstine materials and teachers that are very structured and know how to run a classroom. Not a kinda/sorta Mont education with just an ok classroom and ok materials where the teachers are great, but not as structured.

Ayiyiyiyi...I think we're going with the more structured school. Sorry for so many neurotic posts, but this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to decide for my child. After having her in a very bad situation in a play based preschool, this is something that is of the utmost importance to me right now. Thanks again for the words of wisdom and letting me think out loud.

[gottaknit]

The teacher sounds disorganized; or maybe it's a funding problem. Either way, you can expect more of the same if you go with that school, so if it bugs you now it will probably continue to bug you.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by gottaknit

The teacher sounds disorganized; or maybe it's a funding problem. Either way, you can expect more of the same if you go with that school, so if it bugs you now it will probably continue to bug you.

You are right. :::sigh:::: I think that the other school might be a better option because the organization freak in me is slowly coming to the surface. Just seeing missing pieces of the pink tower made me a little crazy.

[KBecks]

Why not make a pros and cons list, I've found them very helpful when going through preschools. The only negative you've mentioned about the organized school here is that it's further from your home.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by KBecks

Why not make a pros and cons list, I've found them very helpful when going through preschools. The only negative you've mentioned about the organized school here is that it's further from your home.

I really do appreciate you mamas humoring me. KBecks, that is so true. It's farther away, but it's still very close. I honestly think that they have loving teachers *AND* a great understanding of the Mont method. The owner of the school told me she was a member of AMI, but I think she meant that she personally was a member and not that the school was affiliated or certified (not sure of the word) AMI. She said that she and most of the teachers are AMS trained, but again I do not believe the school is AMS affiliated. I have to say that they are by far the closest thing to AMI that we have in this town and still being small enough to be personal.

I made a pro and con list on another thread, I think. I need to look over that again and spend some time with it.

Thanks again!

[BCFD]

oops....I was cleaning my keyboard and hit post! Sorry.

[Lousli]

Organization is a huge concept in a Montessori environment. I wouldn't let it slide, honestly. I think the more structured school sounds like it will be the one for your family. I wish my school was closer/more affordable to you, because I am so happy there and my daughter was too. I really wish you the best of luck and when I return to CA we should talk!

[Ilaria]

Yes, I'm not gonna lie, it would all (except for calendar) bother me very much.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by BCFD

* Pieces of the pink tower missing (only 7 or 8 pcs. and not all 10)

As a teacher, that would drive me nuts.

Even if the small cube is missing, we put it away and the students miss it for a while. The materials are made to be complete. When they are not complete, I do not like having them out at all.

* The moveable alphabet being a nice little wood sectioned box with plastic magnetic blue and red letters like these (but not this box) and not these

Again, I would not like it. Part of the benefits of the moveable alphabet are that they are designed to be sensorial based. Those bulky plastic ones might even be a good shape, but they do not have the same feel in the hands.

* A calendar on a windowsill that still had 06 Feb when it is 12 Feb (they did have to close that particular room down for a week, so maybe the teacher just forgot? I'll let 'em slide on this one.)

That CAN happen, but it sounds like it is compounded by other oraganizational problems.

* Kindy students (5, 6 year olds) getting "time outs" for being mean to each other (the teacher said they don't use time outs much in the preschool group and they use more redirection, but the older kids "know they shouldn't be doing that")

Are you sure it was "time out" and not having them sit seperate from the group by themselves? People sometimes confuse the two. One is not Montessori (time out = punishment) while one is (moving away and sitting by himself until he is ready).

On the other hand, this school does have a lot of very authentic Nienhuis materials (sandpaper letters, globes, sound boxes, cylinder blocks, metal insets, brown stair, etc.), I just noticed a few things that kinda bugged the anal retentive part of me.

Like many people said, it may be a budgetary thing. Remember that you're paying x amount of dollars, like you said. That has to include everything from paying the staff, rent, security system, internet, cleaning supplies, teacher training, electric, water, licensing, paper, computers, food, snack, promotional material, yadda yadda yadda....

The real issue is, even though you feel like you're spending a lot of money, that goes quickly when you run a school. It is a lot of money for a school, so I'm not saying it's not. I just want to point out that funds dry up quickly in a school. You mentioned it is $400 a month for 3 half days. Divide that up and, assuming there are 4.2 weeks in a year and 4 hours a day, that is $7.94 an hour. Granted, that money comes in from more than one person, but you can see how the cost of everything above makes it very difficult to run a school and replace materials. Not making excuses for the school - as they should have proper materials. I am just saying that money may be a key factor as to why there are not.

Tell them you are interested in enrolling, but noticed those things. If they let you order them from Neinhaus for them, will they knock off the cost of tuition for that first month? They may be willing to go along with that. You never know.

Matt