Most of the recent research on preschool and such shows that it doesn't really matter in the long run. Most of who your kids are going to be ends up being genetic anyway, as long as you provide them with a safe, happy environment they will be fine.

you have more happier kids if they play a lot. Happy kids, happy parents. But, if you see they are slacking behind in the areas of reading, writing and arithmetic, then, you need to increase activities on that.

It will be fine OP.

Anonymous wrote:I have nothing against free time, but a "freeform" daycare that shows TV is probably not very good. You don't need Montessori but you do want energetic teachers who provide some structure.

Wait - OP's post said the kids are doing "really well" in the current school -- an actual school -- but they want to move them to a "freeform" daycare that shows TV?! I personally think that's crazy. The early years are important because those are the years where kids learn a great deal from what the teachers model.

If the kids are doing really well in the current school, I'd hesitate to move them. The first five years are so important.

My eldest did Montessori and we loved it. It was a great fit for him. My second started Montessori and it was a horrible fit for him. He switched him after one year and sent him to an amazing play based preschool for the next 2 years, which was the best decision we could have made. Both were very, very well prepared for Kindergarten and beyond, and both developed a love of learning and are enthusiastic in school. (They are in 5th and 3rd grade now)
At the time I agonized about changing preschools, but I am now more comfortable with the idea that when it come to parenting, we make a decision, re-evaluate and make appropriate changes when needed, and I don't beat myself up about it.
Good luck with your decision.

Plenty of folks did a non Montessori preschool and the kids turned out great. Ours was play based with a decent academic component starting at age 3 or 4, and our daughter was very well prepared for kindergarten.

Nope. Doesn't matter. Have you ever discuss what preschool your friends or colleagues went to?

I happen to believe that early childhood education is critical. The reason people say it doesn't matter is that they don't remember their own 2s and 3s! My kids thrived in Montessori, but *the method is only as good as the teacher*, so any method, even the much maligned play-based (aka anything goes) will work as long as the teacher is excellent.
So go and visit. Talk to the teachers. Observe the kids.
And remember that you are your child's best mentor and coach. Talk to your kids like they're intelligent and inquisitive people.

I have nothing against free time, but a "freeform" daycare that shows TV is probably not very good. You don't need Montessori but you do want energetic teachers who provide some structure.

Is it quality care, and by that I mean they treat the kids with respect, feed them, etc. If so, they are fine. I personally I think the play based preschools are the best, but most important is what fits you and your family.

Do you remember anything about being two or three?

Learning to like school is way, way more important than any particular thing they may or may not learn. So if they aren't happy at the montessori, then move them. Absolutely.

Not a bit. You are probably doing them a big favor.

Kids are in Montessori preschool now but it's only a so-so fit. They are both doing really well at school but we don't like the school for several reasons. We'll likely switch them to a much more play-based, free-form daycare that (gasp!) even shows TV occasionally.

It doesn't matter, right? I'm not screwing up my kids by making this change? They are 3 and 2, for what it is worth. I'm cross-posting in the tween-teen forum too, just to get those perspectives too.