Choosing between daycare and Montessori is an important decision for parents with young children. Early childhood education and training are crucial in a young child’s life because this stage will prepare them for preschool and higher education. We hope this article helps you make the best decision for your children’s education.
How is Montessori different from daycare? Montessori is different from daycare because it focuses on learning while daycare focuses on childcare. Early Montessori education follows a curriculum that teaches young children basic academic lessons, cognitive skills, social interaction, gross and fine motor skills, social-emotional skills, and practical skills. Daycare centers are not schools but childcare facilities that do not follow a specific curriculum. They offer different activities instead while the kids are waiting to be picked up by their parents.
What is a Daycare
A daycare is a safe drop-off and pick-up childcare facility where busy parents can leave their kids while they work.
Daycare centers usually offer half-day and full-day services. Their daily routine includes meals, naps, activities, before and after school care, field trips, and many others.
Daycares do not work as a school but as caregiving facilities. They provide day-to-day child care and activities and are open all year.
What is Montessori
Montessori schools for young children focus on learning. Children learn basic academics, practical life skills, and social interaction.
Montessori follows an individualized, child-specific curriculum and follows the regular school year.
Montessori schools are just like any school but it uses the Montessori method of teaching.
Difference Between Montessori and Daycare
There are many noticeable differences between Montessori and daycare. Let us discuss each one.
Pace of Learning
In Montessori, children are given the freedom to choose their activities and manage their own time. Children work on their own or in groups and are given enough time to complete a task.
Montessori teachers do not hover over or disrupt children’s work time. They only observe and guide when needed.
In daycare, they have a set schedule of what to do and when to do it. All children in the group are expected to participate and catch up with others.
Daily Schedule
There is no set schedule of activities in Montessori. The Montessori classroom provides all the necessary activities, materials, and boundaries children need to learn and work.
Children are then allowed to work and learn independently and not rely on their teachers.
Daycare follows a strict schedule. Children are expected to do the activities daycare providers give them and must finish at the scheduled time.
Noise Level
The Montessori classroom has order. Children are busy working, investigating, and experimenting based on their interests. They tend to stay quiet while focused on their activities.
The Montessori environment is free of distractions, disruptions, and noise. Montessori students are not interrupted while working. The classroom is usually quiet.
Daycare on the other hand tends to have a higher level of noise. Children are mostly cranky and are not focused on activities.
Intentional Education
Every toy, material, and activity has a purpose that leads to deeper learning. Young children start to learn social science, math, and core language skills.
The developmental needs of young children are the main consideration for every item in the Montessori classroom. Every activity is intended to support learning and development.
Daycare offers free play time and sets activities that are for the students as a group not as individuals. Most toys and activities are there to help pass time and keep children occupied, not necessarily for learning.
Discipline vs Obedience Training
Montessori teaches children self-discipline. By offering the right environment for independent learning, Montessori helps young children to develop self-assessment and self-regulation.
Montessori teachers guide children to behave well and develop appropriate behavior. They motivate children to take responsibility and take pride in achieving their goals.
In daycare, children are taught to follow instructions. They are given rewards when they behave well and punishment when they don’t.
FAQs
Is Montessori more expensive than daycare? Most of the time, early childhood Montessori is more expensive than daycare. Daycares provide childcare and minimum learning instructions. Montessori, on the other hand, provides a full-time Montessori education where the teachers are Montessori-trained, and the furniture, learning materials, and toys are customized according to each child’s learning requirements and developmental needs. There are more moving parts involved in Montessori compared to daycare.
Can young children have an easy transition from daycare to Montessori? Like most things in life, there is an adjustment period when it comes to a new environment. The good thing about Montessori is, that children are supported from the beginning to the end of the school year. They are not pressured to catch up with their classmates so they can focus kn their own growth.
Does Montessori offer more benefits to children than daycare? If you based on the things we discussed above, you can see that Montessori is more beneficial to your child’s overall development compared to daycare. Montessori starts young children on the right path to learning and developing into good people in general. Ages from birth to 6 years is a crucial time for brain development. You want to make sure you give your children the right support so they can achieve their full potential.
Summary
Montessori is different from daycare because it focuses on learning while daycare focuses on childcare. Early Montessori education follows a curriculum that teaches young children basic academic lessons, cognitive skills, social interaction, gross and fine motor skills, social-emotional skills, and practical skills. Daycare centers are not schools but childcare facilities that do not follow a specific curriculum. They offer different activities instead while the kids are waiting to be picked up by their parents.
It is hard to make important decisions when it comes to your children’s education and development. Making the right choice is crucial. We hope this article helps.