After considering the many benefits that a Montessori program could offer your child, making the decision that a Montessori school is the right choice for your child and your family is just the first step. The next decision to make is which Montessori school in Orinda, CA will be the best fit for your child. While the Montessori method will be a common thread among all Montessori schools, different programs are offered at different schools that may sway your decision. Observing a class is a wonderful way to see what your child’s class will look like and how the teachers interact with the students. Actually seeing several classrooms in action could be the best deciding factor when choosing a Montessori school for your child.

Types of programs Montessori schools have to offer

Age: The age of your child could be a trusty compass when searching for the right school for your young learner. Montessori programs in Orinda can start as early as two years old. If you are looking for a school for your 2 to 3 ½ year old where you can choose between your child attending 2, 3, and 5 days a week, you will soon start to narrow down the number of schools available to you in your area. Students up through the age of six also have different programs available to them that may influence your decision.

Before and After Care: If you have to get to work on your child’s school days, having the option of dropping them off as early as 7AM or picking them up as late as 6PM can be a big help when planning out the logistics of your day. Finding a school that not only watches the children during these extended hours, but also brings the Montessori method into more fun learning during this time will make you feel good about your school choice.

Language Immersion: An excellent example of a program that is offered at some schools but not all is a language immersion program. While the morning Montessori program will be in English and focus on all the Montessori principles, an afternoon language immersion class will look identical to the morning program but will be completely in Spanish. Because the environment and stations will be familiar, your child will be able to know what is happening in the class even though they may not understand their teachers at first. But because young children have sponge-like brains that soak up information, they will begin to understand what is being communicated to them and can learn a second language as naturally as they learned their first.

Observing a class

If you have narrowed down your school choices in Orinda, taking the final step to schedule a class observation will help you to picture your own child in the program. Seeing the Montessori method in action will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the benefits that your child will receive in the program. Fountainhead Montessori School offers before and after care, language immersion programs, and so much more. In Orinda, CA, give Fountainhead Montessori School a call today to schedule a time to observe a classroom.