WWYD: switch independent toddler to Montessori vs stay with great current daycare

[Anonymous]

DD is 2 yo and has been at her current daycare since she was an infant. We've had a great experience with the daycare - they are small, super low turnover, great communication, great ratios, location that works for us and lots of outdoor play areas. They follow the Creative Curriculum. DD is easy going generally and has never cried at drop off. Starting to talk a lot now at home and occasionally mentions the daycare and her teachers and classmates by name. Seems like she feels positively towards it. But we're told she barely speaks, if at all, when she is there. She also has a very independent personality, loves to explore how things work and loves manipulative type toys. DH is now wondering if she would do better at a Montessori school given her personality. I am open to this if we find a good one, but afraid of leaving our gem of a daycare for the unknown. Would love to hear any insights/experiences folks may have.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking the change in care will have her talking even less in her new care environment. From what you have written I suspect it will set her back. You of course have way more information than a paragraph to base your decision on.

[Anonymous]

I think that if you're concerned that she's not talking much, and not developing social skills, you'll want to stay away from Montessori, which really reinforces playing alone, and being quiet.

I also think that daycare that you love is priceless, and I'd be very hesitant to give that up.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE montessori and think it was the best thing on the planet for my shy, quiet kid, but "true" montessori doesn't start until age 3. At 2 it's just daycare with rugs. I'd stay where you are for another year and then re-evaluate.

[Anonymous]

I would assume for talking will increase soon at daycare too. I would stay where you are. At two, they really only need a caring safe environment. At 3 you might want to look for more...or not.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE Montessori but I don’t think a huge change will help her feel comfortable enough to talk at school.

Maybe she just doesn’t want to talk at school right now. That’s okay. My kid doesn’t talk in a mask - her quiet voice is rarely heard and understood through it anyway. She talks at home, so her development is on track, and COVID is on track to drop all masks everywhere eventually. Don’t blow up a good thing over talking at school if she is happy there.

[Anonymous]

I would never uproot a kid that is happy and safe at a daycare, especially if you are happy with the daycare. My youngest was pretty quiet at 2 as well but at 4 now will. not. stop. talking. Your child will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that if you're concerned that she's not talking much, and not developing social skills, you'll want to stay away from Montessori, which really reinforces playing alone, and being quiet.

I also think that daycare that you love is priceless, and I'd be very hesitant to give that up.

This must be school-specific. The Montessori school I know encourages language development, learning to play together nicely, and being 'yourself' -- even if that's a noisy child.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks, it's helpful to hear these perspectives, which definitely match up with my instincts. Certainly no point in rushing to switch her right now.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't change schools based on what you said. I'd try a year of preschool before Kindergarten just so that the first time your child meets a stranger isn't Kindergarten but keep her where she is for now.

[Anonymous]

I would be getting her a speech assessment while keeping her at the current place.

[Anonymous]

Different scenario but when we were considering switching, I saw some research that showed negative effects on ability to form social relationships related to changing childcare arrangements. We also had a kid who loved her daycare and teachers so we stayed put and its been the right choice.