Selecting a Toddler School

Preschool Planning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Madam Montessori
A doctor before she became an educator, Maria Montessori developed strategies and materials that, a century later, are being adopted by more and more classrooms (such as this one in Landover, Maryland).


Blog 3: Selecting a Toddler Preschool 

By Meghan

It is only March, but deposits are due at the preschools. There isn’t much time left for planning or research. I would like my daughter to have a school experience this year. Having her be with other children is probably the biggest advantage to a toddler program, but of course I would like her to gain the other things an organized program can give her – independence, group activities and learning – all necessary for first grade readiness and success.

I am looking for some help in selecting preschools, especially toddler programs that will be good for her. I continue my search for the best program for her and my family. There are many checklists to assist in selecting a good preschool for a four year old. I feel the same guidelines should apply for a younger preschool child. One of the lists I found that looks at things I feel are important is on the Wondertime website.

Tina Grotzer, an assistant professor of education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, principle investigator for Harvard Project Zero, a mom of twins, and member of Wondertime's advisory board, provides this comprehensive checklist to guide the process of touring schools, interviewing administrators, and observing in the classroom.

Types of programs:

• Child Care can be in a home or a center. These provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child. Their success depends on the ability of the care givers. Statistics show that a large percentage of toddlers in the United States receive this type of care.


• Educational Child Care is usually provided in a center. Some these programs have their own curriculum, and other use nationally developed and approved curriculum. Almost all have some educational component, but that is not their main purpose. Care of the child is still there main reason for existence. This is the reason most toddlers are there. Some of the more well-known are:

http://www.kindercare.com/


http://www.kiddieacademy.com/


http://www.goddardschool.com/


• Educational Programs provide care only as the child needs it during the time there. As is implied instruction is the main purpose for this type of program. Finding an educational program for a toddler is harder. The Montessori Schools seem to offer this type of a program.

No matter how wonderful the program there is still practical things to consider. The main one is location. Before I can make personal visits I need to find programs that are actually available. There are many church and home day care programs in the area, but this is not at all what I need for my daughter.

The educational daycare offered by the Kiddie Academy and the Goddard School might be good, but there are none within easy traveling distance. There are KIndercare programs, five within 15 miles, but I don’t think this is the best choice for our family.

I really just want my daughter to be in an educational, not a day care program. In our area there is a Montessori School with a program for two year olds. The class is two mornings a week for two and a half hours each day.

For our family it is decision time! So what type of preschool is best? Larry Schweinhart, president of the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, and a researcher on the study says, “Early childhood educators contribute to children’s development when they emphasize child-initiated activities, limit the use of whole-group instruction, and provide abundant materials in the classroom.”


In other words, allowing preschoolers to choose freely, for as much of the day as possible, rather than corraling them into too much circle time, is the best way to create successful first graders.

After reading this article, Studies Show the RIght Preschool Leads to Later Success, by Danielle Wood, it seems that this description of a successful program matches the Montessori philosophy. This quote is taken from the Keystone Montessori website.


MONTESSORI education is a highly hands-on educational Private School program that incorporates independent and active learning for children of all abilities. Montessori educators "follow the child", adjusting their strategies and timelines to "fit" the development of each child, as all children learn at their own individual pace. All in a calm, supportive and relaxing environment where the children "choose" their work and build their skills at their own pace.

I have decided to visit the Keystone Montessori school before making my final choice. Observations about the school and my decision will be in my next post – March 28.