Norbeck Montessori in Rockville, MD

[Anonymous]

Does anyone send their children to Norbeck Montessori or have you heard anything from friends, neighbors? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

LOVE it. Sent both my kids, and my third is starting there in the fall. Not a true Montessori, which for us, was a good thing. Lots of play based activities as well. Very nurturing. Great experience all around. I lived in Rockville when my first two went there, but we now moved to Burtonsville, and I am still making the 45 minute commute every day so my little one can go there. That's how happy we were. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

It's a good place. The cons are they have a large amount of children and there's no hand-holding in the beginning. So if you are coming from a loving daycare situation, Norbeck can be a daunting transition. Pros are it's run very efficiently and if you are a working parent, then you can count on them for informing you of events well in advance. There is little to no parent involvement so you won't feel guilty! The few things you can attend - Halloween parade, Christmas performance, Mother's Day event -- are well advertised, run on time and fun to go to.

If you are seriously considering it, I would ask to interview the teachers and figure out which class is best for you. They have four classrooms, and the personality of the teachers will really dictate your experience. I did not do this and we have been happy with our teacher. But I wish I had requested this. It's not cheap and you can only enroll for 5 days per week (you can do just mornings).

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a good place. The cons are they have a large amount of children and there's no hand-holding in the beginning. So if you are coming from a loving daycare situation, Norbeck can be a daunting transition. Pros are it's run very efficiently and if you are a working parent, then you can count on them for informing you of events well in advance. There is little to no parent involvement so you won't feel guilty! The few things you can attend - Halloween parade, Christmas performance, Mother's Day event -- are well advertised, run on time and fun to go to.

If you are seriously considering it, I would ask to interview the teachers and figure out which class is best for you. They have four classrooms, and the personality of the teachers will really dictate your experience. I did not do this and we have been happy with our teacher. But I wish I had requested this. It's not cheap and you can only enroll for 5 days per week (you can do just mornings).

Good luck!

Wow, this could not be further from the truth. I wonder if the previous poster is talking about a different place. Our daughter goes to Norbeck. She came from a very loving, small daycare environment and I was very, very nervous about the transition last fall. They were AMAZING. They had me drop her off 15 minutes before regular drop off time so it wasn't so chaotic for her with carpool drop off. They were so loving, giving her hugs, making her feel secure, etc. They sent me notes home the first few weeks letting me know how she was doing, transitioning, etc. She was almost potty trained, and they had her fully potty trained within a month. They rub their backs at nap time to help them to get to sleep. The parent involvement is fantastic. I am a dentist, they asked me to come in and present during dental hygeine month. For the first few weeks, I came in Fridays to read a story to the class. I volunteered for the holiday performance. I came to help during school photos. There is a Halloween parade, fall fest, puppet shows, holiday performances, mother's day party. Then they also do back to school night, and parent/teacher night. The whole "you won't feel guilty" is you making yourself think there is no parent involvement, it's at whatever level you want it to be. For the pp, no involvement obviously worked for them.

Anyway, great school, great staff, great teachers. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

Is it really only 5 days a week? We've heard great things about Norbeck Montessori from another parent at my son's current daycare (she has another child there). But, I only need part-time. Anyone know if that's an option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it really only 5 days a week? We've heard great things about Norbeck Montessori from another parent at my son's current daycare (she has another child there). But, I only need part-time. Anyone know if that's an option?

Yes, it is only 5 days a week. But they do offer mornings only, so 5 days from 9:30 - 12:30. You don't have to go the whole day.

[Anonymous]

I just learned about this school and am interested in seeing if my 2 year old could get in for the fall. Anyone have any idea what wait lists are like, or if I've missed the application date? I emailed the school for info since I couldn't find this info on the webpage.
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I don't think they have a waitlist at the moment. But you should call them directly. They let us send our child for a few hours one day to see if he would like it before having to commit. I thought that was great of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think they have a waitlist at the moment. But you should call them directly. They let us send our child for a few hours one day to see if he would like it before having to commit. I thought that was great of them.

So, did he like it? And how old was he?

I have a son turning 2 in June and I am trying to decide whether it is too early or not to send him. He is home now with a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Any update on this school

[Anonymous]

Believe it or not, I went there 30 years ago!!! I have very fond memories of my teacher (and owner), Liz Besette (spelling). I believe she is still there.

[Anonymous]

Hmm...we rally really had a veryy bad experience with this school.When we first went in for admitting our 2 year old,they said that they would take great care...though we had explained that she hasnt yet been to any daycare,they said that "they were all moms n they would take care"..But they really made our child sad and miserable..everyday we went to pick her up,the first 3 days,they would have nothing but long faces and the little one would be crying...
The results were...

* They made,our child who went to school for the first time with a very happy heart and great expectation,with her new bag and everything,..never want to go to school from day 3
* Though we were soo curious about her day in school,they hardly gave us any feedback ...all we saw was she was miserable.
* If at all they said anything,it was only complaining that she isnt able to understand things...(common she is only 2 years old)
* I dont know how clean they kept the place,but our daughter had cold the fourth day itself.
* Above all,the teacher was soo rude to tell me that it would be best to put her in a smaller environment...cos they could not give her so much attention and that in the their program is sooo structured...n all(they should have told me that before we put her in)..
* All they say about the nurturing and care is SOOO NOT TRUE.
HATED THE PLACE....WORST EXPERIENCE EVER...all we got is a sick child who passed on the cold to her newborn brother...and we had a very tough time at home...Took her out of that school right away.

[Anonymous]

Wow, previous reviewer, which class was your child in? This sounds completely UNLIKE Norbeck. We are starting our second year year with my twins, and the first year was fantastic, each in a different class. We were so happy with everything, and my girls have two completely different personalities. I respectfully disagree with your review and alot of your points and would be interested to hear which teacher you had.

[Anonymous]

9:57 - A montessori isn't for every child.

Do your research first. Montessoris typically enroll children starting at age 3 - when they can understand a bit more.

Those who accept children at around 2.5 yo have certain expectations for your child, and if s/he isn't ready, you really need to find a school that's a better fit.