Meeting the teacher?

[new_mom_sd]

Hi,

I need advice from experienced parents. I toured a school but did not have opportunity to observe a class since the school is not in session. I inquired if I could meet the prospective teachers but they were VERY reluctant and said that they do the placement of child in primary.
She did however told me that none of the classrooms are at max for this age group so that means technically they do have space in all classrooms.

Should I press for meeting the teachers and requesting specific teacher? or let the school decide where to put the child.

Thanks for your input.

[BCFD]

Personally, I would want to meet the teachers *AND* observe a class (maybe even 2 or 3 class visits). When we enrolled DD into her school, I took a tour and then went back for several visits with DD before having the discussion with the owner about placing her. They let DD participate in a class so that I could observe how she did. Her teacher/guide is very good for DD and is an excellent teacher (we have a few different opinions about certain personal family issues i.e. explaining adoption at what age to children, but it's more important that my DD feels comfortable with her as a guide).

I toured a school that was reluctant to let me observe a class and the teachers/guides were EXTREMELY rude. The classes were chaos (probably why they didn't want me to observe) and after seeing 15 minutes of this particular school I knew there was NO way I'd want my DD there.

You need to observe. Definitely.

[freistms]

I can understand that the school wants to be in charge of placement. They certainly want to keep their classrooms balanced and try to find a good fit between directors and students. Montessori classrooms also have to address the issue of age balance, and my experience with schools is that they also attempt to balance both gender and cultural diversity in the classroom. The school has a legitimate interest in considering all these factors in determining a placement, and it is to the benefit of all of the school's students.

Perhaps you could just explain that, because you have not had the opportunity to observe a classroom, you are not willing to commit to the program unless and until you have an opportunity to meet the proposed director and observe your child's interaction with the director. If you meet the proposed director and are unhappy for whatever reason or uncomfortable in the slightest, then you can explain your concerns and ask if another placement is available? That leaves them in the driver's seat but gives you some control in the situation, too. The school has an economic interest in satisfying the legitimate demands of it's consumers, so they should be willing to work to satisfy your concerns. If they won't, that is a worrisome sign in and of itself.

Good luck.

[new_mom_sd]

Thankfor the input. I have requested to observe. I have heard good things about the school from 3-4 parents.

Going to any Montessori would be a stretch. It would get better once I go back to work (which I thought about few months ago but seems like workable/more likely now that my toddler has less seperation anxiety). & putting her somewhere would help me actually get back to work since I'll have time to search, apply & actually prepare for any interviews I get. I wasn't able to much done last time I tried with kids at home.

If I don't feel 100% about montessori I'm going to try to find a good in-home care. UNLESS I find a in-home montessori, that'd be awsome but don't know where to look for one.
DD used to go 1x /week to a wonderful program which we both really liked(she can't continue there) even though it wasn't a montessori and would have continued instead of pre-school at least until 4yr of age so I hope I'll be able to find something similar.