Observation Guidelines
I am glad that you are interested in observing my Montessori classroom. All applicants will need to have
both parents make an observation. Observations and enrollment can happen throughout the year. We
have graduates to Kindergarten every spring, so March and April are good times to think about
enrollment for the next school year, which runs from August-June. There is a separate summer program
with separate enrollment. Please let me know when you are planning to come and observe, so that I
can be sure to be there and that we are on a regular schedule. Email is the easiest way to communicate
with me. The following suggestions make the observation more successful for you and me.
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Drop off (8:30) and pick-up (12:30) can be chaotic. The morning work period is 2.5-3 hours. If
you want to see the children doing their “work” the best time is between 8:45 and 11. The end
of the morning has lunch and outside time.
There is an adage that says that you can never really “observe” anything in its natural state;
simply the fact that you are there observing it changes it. If you really want to see what is going
on in the classroom, try to be “invisible.” That means entering quietly, staying low (on the floor
or on any of the stools scattered around the room), and trying not to interrupt the children. If a
child tries to engage in conversation, remind them that you are there to see what they do at
their school. We will give you a clipboard with some information to take with you about
Montessori and a page to write questions or comments and to let me know how to follow up
with you.
All parents/caregivers are expected to make an observation, either together or separately
before we have a follow up. You will be able to observe best if your child is not with you.
Having your child will lead you to observe them and perhaps worry about what they are doing or
not doing. If you want your child to see the classroom, you can have a separate visit with them
and they are invited to come spend a morning with us if they are two or older. If you do have
childcare for your child, let me know and we will brainstorm together. Sometimes parents can
take turns watching a child so that each can observe.
While you are in the class the teachers will generally ignore you so that you can get a sense for
the culture of the school and because we are working with children, individually or supervising
the whole group. Thirty to forty minutes is plenty for an observation. You are welcome to come
on several days if you want more time. Be sure to peek out in the back at the playground. This
is our most important space in the summer, and we go outside every day.
If you want to pursue application, we will generally need a morning visit with your child and we
will need a meeting with all caregivers. I schedule these after school, in the evenings, on
weekends or on some Fridays. If we have space, all caregivers and I share goals for the child,
and I feel that the environment will serve your family, I may offer an application at the meeting
or after. A one month’s deposit is due with the application. This is credited to the last month of
the three year cycle.
Warmly,
Mary