plainoldme wrote:I'll try to respond one on one, as long as I can.
Calamity Jane: You write that the Montessori 'system' is expensive and unregulated.
What do you mean?
And the words system and unregulated don't align with each other.
I didn't use the word "system" - you did!
The Montessori principle according to Maria Montessori is different
in Europe. The guidelines are clearly defined and enforced, teachers
are educated to follow the Montessori principle.
Here (the US) one Montessori differs from the next. Before my daughter
entered preschool, I went to three different Montessori schools and each one had its own rules and regulations. One preschool seemed rather
strict and rigid while the one we ended up with, was more relaxed. However, the teachers had no Montessori training, only the proprietor
did. I paid over $ 500/month for 4 hours daily - clearly more expensive
than conventional preschools.