The facility should have the appropriate Montessori infant/toddler and preschool classrooms. These rooms should be equipped with traditional Montessori activities as well as furniture appropriate to the class program. A typical difference between a daycare and a Montessori school would be the minimal amount of toys present — toys are not activities typically used in the teaching method. The classroom should be neat and organised, not full of clutter. The school must also have a license from state childcare licensing and be fully insured.

At The Peace Rose: a modern 7,000 square foot facility with infant, toddler and preschool classrooms, and two oversized playgrounds separated for infants and preschoolers.

In order for the school to run truly as a Montessori school, the director should hold a Montessori certificate (AMI, AMS or MACTE), with experience in the classroom. In our opinion the owners should also hold the same certifications and have the same classroom experience. Schools are also required to follow strict guidelines to be licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families Office of Licensing. Ask to see their certificates. The quality of your child’s Montessori education is directly connected to the knowledge and dedication of the school’s director.

At The Peace Rose: Ms. Carmen is the primary owner and director and is certified in AMS. She has been an AMS teacher and director for 16 years, and uses that education and experience to give teachers, parents and students the support they need.

The toddler, primary and elementary teachers should hold a Montessori certificate (AMI, AMS or MACTE).

Many schools are seemingly beautiful at first glance yet have internal strife. Be sure to ask how long the directors have been there, whether they are the owners or have an ownership interest. Be sure and ask about the head teachers and assistants as well as their experience.

Though companies cannot protect themselves from malicious reviews from fired employees or competition, the reviews should be overwhelmingly excellent. If there is a negative review, ask the school you are interviewing for their thoughts on that particular review.

The best reviews of all are those from past and present parents. Ask to have parents call and give you recommendations.

Maria Montessori was very specific that children must have a full three-hour long, uninterrupted work cycle. Many schools and daycares constantly interrupt the children’s concentration for miscellaneous activities. When the cycle is continually interrupted the class is never normalized and the children have difficulty maintaining focus.

A school that adheres to the three-hour work cycle has classrooms that are beautifully productive, children happily going about their work, focused and enjoying the day. Subjects like art and science should be built into the Montessori classroom as part of the work cycle. Group activities should be done outside of the work cycle.

An essential part of the Montessori environment is having children of different ages in the classroom. Maria Montessori discovered that children go through natural developmental planes in approximately three-year cycles. It is wonderful to watch as the younger children learn from the older students. The older students gain so much from nurturing their younger classmates, solidifying their own knowledge by teaching and helping them. It is also preferable that the child stay with the same teacher for the full three years, as they acquire an amazing relationship built on trust and respect.

There should be no homework, even in the elementary grades. If the children have had a productive day and completed their work, they should go home and enjoy their family and after-school activities. It is not productive for children to do homework in the evening hours, adding stress for the child and the parent. We, as adults, try not to take work home with us. Why should we ask that of our children?

There should also be no grades, stickers or other rewards. The child’s best reward is the pride she feels in a job well done.

There is only one way to truly assess the quality of the school, and specifically the classroom your child will be in. Schedule a time with the director to sit in the classroom and observe. Compare the things you have learned about a Montessori environment with the things you observe in the different schools and classrooms you visit.

How does the teacher interact with the children, and how do the children interact with her? How do the children interact with each other? Is the environment inviting, beautiful, clean, organised and uncluttered? The child should feel at home in his environment, comfortable and safe.

A completely outfitted classroom with all the wooden Montessori materials is essential. As you visit Montessori schools you will quickly see the difference between them, even without a list of equipment.