If you’re like me, choosing a place to send your baby or toddler can be challenging because you want something that will be full of warm and loving relationships, be respectful of their learning and support their independence.

There are no official Montessori schools or Children’s Houses where I live. There are a few centres that say they are Montessori based but the teachers and educators haven’t done any Montessori training. A friend reminded me that while Montessori philosophy should definitely be on the list, having lovely relationships is most important. Below I have outlined the key things I looked for when choosing a day care centre.

1. Relationships

Teachers and educators that nurture the child and support independence was key for me. When I went to different places I listened to how the adults spoke with the children. When I was visiting the centre Alfred now attends, I noticed that their were genuine conversations with the children. I also noticed that they respected what the children were interested in or the sensitive periods they were in (development) as the indoor, semi-indoor and outdoor areas were open and children could roam between them. Runny noses were wiped immediately and children were comforted when they were sad. We know that positive relationships have a huge impact on a child’s life.

I also considered the relationships between the staff. How did they talk to and about each other? I noticed that they all said kind things about each other while I was there.

What I saw in places that was an immediate no for me: a crawling baby was left to cry and his dummy/pacifier kept falling out while he was upset. He had his arms up for one particular adult who kept simply putting his dummy back in and walking away. He cried for about 10 minutes until another adult who was bottle feeding a baby asked the adult to give him a cuddle…shouldn’t need to be asked! I also saw a lot of runny noses in this class that weren’t being wiped by an adult who was free and could have wiped them.

2. Independence

I wanted to see “help me to help myself” and children not having to get adults to help in a task they could do themselves. Children should be supported to be independent. It’s very frustrating and sometimes degrading when someone else does what we could do, as an adult I hate that feeling when someone else does something because they don’t think I can do it. Let’s give children the dignity they should have.

On Alfred’s first day he helped put the fruit from the shopping away. How exciting. He had two bowls of fruit at morning tea, what a great connection and how valued he must have felt. They also have a step stool children can climb up for nappy changes and mats on the floor for sleeping (this was a big one for me, I couldn’t choose a centre with cots as being able to get in and out of bed independently is so important for him). With floor mattresses or beds, there is no chance he could be left in the cot crying if adults were busy with other children. Also, child sized wooden tables and chairs for meals and snacks.

3. Outdoor Spaces

I wanted Alfred to have access to an outdoor space for most of the day. I also wanted a natural space with a garden. It is the norm to see fake turf in centres, I compromised on that as most places were I live have fake turf. The place Alfred attends has lovely trees, hedges and gardens. They also have a vegetable patch in a different area that the children go to once a week.

Out of all the places I went to this was the only place with a garden and trees! All the other places only had fake turf and fences…I noticed how calm the children were at his centre and I wonder how much the freedom to be in and out for most of the day would have on the calm and relaxed feeling. One place said that the UV levels governed when they could go out…since it gets so hot in Summer I can imagine they don’t get to go out much. Alfred’s centre has shade cloth and shade trees, plus they wear sunscreen and hats, so they can be out all the time.

4. Montessori philosophy

Alfred’s centre is “Montessori-based”. None of the teachers or educators have Montessori training, and the new owners don’t send them to workshops as much as they used to. They do have materials in the 3-6 age and they have had some teaching on how to present the materials.

The philosophy seems to embody the culture of the centre, which is very important. Supporting independent learners, speaking gently and respectfully, freedom within limits, few boundaries on learning, clear and sensible expectations, giving children time to focus and concentrate – some of the things looked for.

Some of the other stuff that is fairly obvious that I looked for;

Anti-racist and anti-bias

How do the staff approach this? Are they educated in this area? This (education in this area) is not very common in Australia that I’m aware of but out of all the centres I went to this was the only one where the majority of the staff are not white, and had a range of ages employed. To me, this is a good sign that they would be having these conversations with each other and the children, but this is still not a given.

Toys, books and materials

Passive toys for active play, active toys for passive play. The toys and materials were passive, which meant the children were actively playing with them – there wasn’t sounds and lights. I was looked for less plastic and more natural materials, like wood and fabric. But, if a great toy is passive and plastic then I don’t mind. I would hope most of the books would be based in reality, but this is something I compromised on and something I could suggest to the Director.

Food and hygiene

Healthy food options are important. I looked at their menu and checked what they ate. Alfred’s centre prepares all food in house. The children are involved in some of the processes. Children wash their hands at their own level/height before meals. When they have runny noses they are assisted to wipe them immediately.

Staff stability

Alfred’s educator has been there 15 years. This is a sign that she enjoys where she works and will be consistent in Alfred’s time there.

Convenience

The centre provides all of Alfred’s nappies, sunscreen, bibs, bed sheets, food, water bottles and crockery/cutlery. All I had to send were spare clothes, a hat and a bottle of milk for his nap.

Areas I compromised in

• Water stations. They have water stations but they are up high! I asked the Director about this and she said they should be at child height so she would look into it…I can see why it’s easier to leave them up high as even at home Alfred constantly spills and tips out water, so I don’t have one out.

• Fake turf. I don’t like fake turf as it can be a urban heat island and isn’t great for the environment. I understand that it’s much easier to use fake turf…

• Montessori materials. The materials they have are quite worn but I understand how expensive they are.

• Montessori training. Numbers 1-3 are so much more important to me than Montessori training. If it was an official Montessori Children’s House I would expect it.

Australia specific information

In Australia the government pays a large chunk of childcare subsidies depending on how active (hours) you are in your work, volunteering or studying. My paperwork is still being processed but out of the $114 per day I will probably only pay $25-40 of that. Even if unemployed, the government will pay for at least one day per week. This is in an effort to encourage women to return to work and also support gender equality.