Chesterbook Montessori and Children's House Montessori School both offer infant programs with kids that start as early at 1 - 1.5 years. I have heard very good things about the program at Chesterbook --they don't have a website up yet but can be contacted at 703 243 3914 or chesterbrookmontessorischool@hotmail.com

Anonymous wrote:Maria Montessori is spinning in her grave. She instituted a rigorous program for learning. It starts at 2.5 years. It has been developed and improved upon over the years, but always by disciples of Maria Montessori's approach. If there are Montessori schools that put an infant-to 2.5 room nearby, OK, but that is daycare, not part of the Montessori program, whatever it's called.

Well put

The 2 major agencies in the AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) and AMS (American Montessori Society) would disagree with you. The Montessori Assistants to Infancy Training began in 1947 in Rome. Based on thousands of hours of observation of infants and very young children, the work predated many contemporary findings, including self-hypnosis for childbirth, gentle birth, the awareness of infants, the importance of touch and communication, as well as language, music and joy in the environment. Open space and interesting objects encourage free movement and exploration. Special clothing, furnishings and toys made with careful attention to detail are designed in response to the observed needs of the infant.

In fact Maria Montessori was involved in this process. Over time Dr Montessori came to see that in order to facilitate the full development of the human being assistance must begin at birth. She facilitated the formation of the first Montessori class for children from one to three years of age which began in Rome in 1947. In 1948 Adele Costa Gnocchi, one of Maria Montessori’s early students, began training adults to work with children under 3 in Rome. The work was precipitated by the publication of The Absorbent Mind and Montessori’s return from India following the war.

Soon an Assistants to Infancy course for adults began. This was a two year course, held every day. The staff included paediatricians and other Montessori people and in the beginning the students were mainly Montessori mothers and teachers. After Costa Gnocchi’s retirement, the course became a state vocational course and, as such, is still in existence.

Maria Montessori is spinning in her grave. She instituted a rigorous program for learning. It starts at 2.5 years. It has been developed and improved upon over the years, but always by disciples of Maria Montessori's approach. If there are Montessori schools that put an infant-to 2.5 room nearby, OK, but that is daycare, not part of the Montessori program, whatever it's called.

Small Savers in the Office of Thrift Supervision purports to be Montessori based for the infant room. Would you care to tell us what the "curriculum" would look like for an infant room?

There are a couple of montessori infant programs in the northern virginia area. Reston montessori, Belmont greene, Lola's place and Community montessori in reston - these all have full day infant programs. There is also one in home program in reston - Little Montessori House. There are a couple more programs for toddlers from age 16 mons + - Fiore Montessori in Vienna, Sunset hills in reston, Ridgemont (part time) and several Boyd school locations.

Montessori toddler programs are very different from traditional daycare programs.

did you ever find one? We are looking for an infant Montessori program in Virginia too.

I'm the person who posted the question. Yes mommies, there is such as thing as an infant Montessori program.

Thanks for your responses, yes, I'm looking for a day school for my son.

are you looking for daycare or preschool? I know of a child-led infant/toddler program in Arlington, but it's not daycare...it's just a couple hours in the AM a few times a week and a care provider must attend with the child.

There are infant Montessori programs in other areas. I've never heard of any near me.

Did you check out Family Academy of Bethesda ? On Montgomery Ave >

Lol.

There are infant/toddler montessori programs but given that the method is child led learning, I think any daycare center is going to provide that.

Montessori program only starts from 2.5 years old. There is no such thing as Infant Montessori.

I saw one in Kensington and a few others in Norther Va. Please advise if you know of any others in DC, Arlington or Md. Remember, I need an infant/toddler program.