Many parents come to us with questions about whether preschool is right for their child, and, if so, what type of preschool approach will work best for their family. In this Beginner’s Guide, we address the most frequently asked questions, with the hope of providing your family with the information you need to make the best decision for your child’s education. If you have any questions about our personalized approach to preschool, please feel free to contact us to schedule a tour of our Millburn, New Jersey Alpine Montessori facility.
- Is preschool the same as daycare? No. While both preschool and daycare provide care and supervision for young children, in a preschool environment, the emphasis is on early education in contrast to simply managing kids. That said, many daycares have preschool programs, and many preschools would probably be better-labeled as preschools.
- What is a Montessori school? Montessori refers to an approach to education that is child-driven and semi-structured, allowing kids with varied abilities and interests to explore at their own pace and maximize their own natural learning capabilities.
- Is Montessori a good approach for children with special needs? Because Montessori allows children to explore at their own pace, it is a great approach for kids with special education needs, whether those kids are gifted and talented or dealing with some learning disabilities.
- Are there financial aid options for preschools? Yes, there are financial aid options for preschools. You can find out more about them at the NJ.Gov website: http://www.nj.gov/njparentlink/services/assistance/
Early childhood education is important for a wide variety of reasons. In addition to academic development, preschool can help provide a strong social foundation for your child. To find out more, contact us at Alpine Montessori. We are happy to schedule a visit, or just answer any questions that you might have.