It can feel SO overwhelming looking for a Montessori school or daycare to send your child to. As a certified Montessori educator, I get asked by parents all the time—how do I pick a good Montessori school for my child? 

I’ve seen the ins and outs of Montessori schools and there are 5 things I’d look at to pick a good Montessori school for my child.

1. Accreditation. 

Is the school accredited by a bodying member of Montessori certified teachers?

The word 'accreditation' might sound a bit formal, but it's basically like a stamp of approval. Is the school accredited by a recognized association of Montessori-certified teachers? This ensures the school follows authentic Montessori principles and guidelines. When a school is accredited, it has to meet certain standards and criteria set by experts in the Montessori field. So, when you visit, see if you can spot certificates or plaques indicating this recognition.

It depends on the location or country you’re in. For Canada, we have the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators that has a list of certified schools on their website.

So, one of the questions you should ask the school you’re considering is if they’re accredited by a recognized association. 

2. Teacher training.

Are the teachers in the room trained in the Montessori method?

The soul of any school lies in its teachers. Are the educators trained in the Montessori method? Teachers play a pivotal role in molding students' experiences. Having undergone Montessori training ensures they have the skills and knowledge to guide students using Montessori philosophies, allowing students to explore, grow, and develop at their own pace.

Find out if the teachers who will be in the room with your child are certified Montessori teachers. Some examples of recognized accrediting bodies of Montessori educators include the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori International, or the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teachers Education. 

3. The school’s educational standards. 

Is the school following the educational standards of the ministry of education in your area?

Even though Montessori schools often have their unique approach, it's important to know if they align with the educational standards set by your local ministry of education.

For example, in Ontario, Canada, private schools are not required to follow the official Ontario education curriculum. That’s because private schools operate as businesses or non-profit organizations since they don’t receive funding or other financial support from the ministry. Private schools in Ontario must meet the same standards as public schools, with additional requirements to grant credit towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or the OSSD). However, the Ministry of Education does not oversee the operation of private schools, and so they cannot credit, license, or accredit them. 

This isn’t to say that if private schools don’t meet the requirements set out by the ministry that they won’t provide adequate education for your child. Instead, this sort of information will help you with your decision to choose a school. especially if you’re planning to move your child into public school in the future, this creates a smoother transition into the alternative system of education.

4. Classroom organization. 

Are the materials arranged on the shelves properly? Does each curriculum area have its own space in the classroom?

Take a moment to observe the classroom. Are materials methodically arranged? They should be well-spaced, easy to access, and not overly crowded on the shelves. 

In a Montessori environment, each curriculum area, be it math, language, practical life, culture, or sensorial, should have its distinct space. This structured yet inviting setup promotes self-directed learning and exploration.

These are all topics I cover in my book Fresh Montessori, which is a guide for parents to apply Montessori principles at home. You can download a free chapter here.

5. Keeping promises.

Is the school overpromising, and under delivering?

A great school is transparent about its capabilities. Beware of schools that overpromise but underdeliver. 

Listen to feedback from current students or parents. If you can, get referrals from current and past parents who have enrolled their children in the school you’re considering. Their experiences can provide insights into the school's reliability and authenticity.

All of these five things can help you make sure pick the right Montessori for your child. The worst thing that can happen is you enrol your child to a Montessori school and realize you’ve wasted the $20,000 tuition.

If you're interested, I wrote a whole blog about how why could be wasting your money on Montessori schools. You can check it out here.

Thanks for reading! Stay FRESH!