Nanny, Daycare, Montessori, or something else?

[Anonymous]

If you can get a nanny off a recommendation, I'd go that route in a heartbeat. I'd wait on part-time preschool till 3. A good nanny can ensure socialization and age appropriate activities easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to note that Montessori is not a protected name, so you need to check whether they have an AMI or AMS certification. The schools need specific materials that cost a fortune for them, and their teachers are specially trained, so they're better paid than daycare or regular play-based preschools.

Montessori is a philosophy of education that is centered on a child-led, individual approach to exploring the practical world, and a rigorous, scientific-based method for learning intellectual skills. The Montessori curriculum for the early years is from 3 to 6 years old. Anything before that can also be a Montessori approach, but it won't be as fully fledged.

Montessori is not child led. Child let would be letting a child choose what they're interested in and letting them explore it however they want. Stripping your classroom of the things that a kid would usually choose, making most of what's there off limits, and then, when the child selects from the remaining small set of activities, insisting that they do it "right", is the opposite of child led, even if the kid can choose what color mat to sit on while they work.

I don't think you understand montessori. We did it for our daughtter at age 2.5 and I feel like she learned a lot of independence and patience. It is child led and the classroom had tons of stuff for the kids. No one was criticsing the kids on how they did things either.

I also would add our kid was with a nanny before that. I never felt comfortable with the in home day cares. In VA they are barely regulated and too many deaths in the last few years. In DC, I dont trust the operators. No checks and balances on TV, or who comes and goes etc.

What about DC in particular is scary to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would vote nanny with part time preschool as well. Then you don't have to rush out the door/home for pickup, and if he's slightly sick (or a snow day), you have the option of going to work.

Agree. IMO, if you can afford it the one-on-one care of a nanny is best for a toddler then supplemented with PT preschool for socializing and getting used to school as they get older. And, depending on your nanny arrangement, she may also do other household management tasks for you while the child is at preschool which frees up your time more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to note that Montessori is not a protected name, so you need to check whether they have an AMI or AMS certification. The schools need specific materials that cost a fortune for them, and their teachers are specially trained, so they're better paid than daycare or regular play-based preschools.

Montessori is a philosophy of education that is centered on a child-led, individual approach to exploring the practical world, and a rigorous, scientific-based method for learning intellectual skills. The Montessori curriculum for the early years is from 3 to 6 years old. Anything before that can also be a Montessori approach, but it won't be as fully fledged.

Montessori is not child led. Child let would be letting a child choose what they're interested in and letting them explore it however they want. Stripping your classroom of the things that a kid would usually choose, making most of what's there off limits, and then, when the child selects from the remaining small set of activities, insisting that they do it "right", is the opposite of child led, even if the kid can choose what color mat to sit on while they work.

I don't think you understand montessori. We did it for our daughtter at age 2.5 and I feel like she learned a lot of independence and patience. It is child led and the classroom had tons of stuff for the kids. No one was criticsing the kids on how they did things either.

I also would add our kid was with a nanny before that. I never felt comfortable with the in home day cares. In VA they are barely regulated and too many deaths in the last few years. In DC, I dont trust the operators. No checks and balances on TV, or who comes and goes etc.

Isn't this the same as with a nanny? Finding a good in home is like finding a good nanny, research, personal recommendations, and ultimately trust in the care provider. My in home provider is a former nanny and has 6 kids and 3 teachers. She loves my daughter and my daughter loves her. Pretty ideal to me.